Panasonic unveiled its P2 strategy for the new year today by announcing the AG-HPX500 — a new 2/3-inch 3-CCD shoulder-mounted HD camcorder that takes interchangeable lenses and offers 11 variable frame rates ranging between 12 and 60 fps. The camera ships in May and sells for $14,000, including viewfinder. And the company’s solid-state P2 recording technology is set to take a big step forward, jumping in May from a maximum of 8 GB to a much more attractive 16 GB on a single card.
Access to the last 90 days of content is always free. Paid subscribers can access older stories as part of their membership.
Comments (10) for "Panasonic Announces $14,000 2/3-Inch P2 Camcorder, Ups Cards to 16 GB"
1.
14K Varicam?
Posted by gil on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 @ 10:28 AM
2.
Did Panasonic not quote the writer of this article the prices for the 16Gb and pending 32GB P2 cards? It's a significant ommission. Also, what solutions are offered for low cost HD archiving of finished projects? I understand the least expensive DVC Pro HD deck still comes in at $20K last time I inquired. This makes a $14,000 camera look more like a $40,000 finishing solution to end users.
Posted by Mark-Dawson Van Drie on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 @ 12:16 PM
3.
More "spatial offset" to get to HD, while other companies such as Red provide a full 35mm sensor.
Get with the program, Pannie.
Posted by JohnnyVideo on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 @ 08:10 PM
4.
Nice to know in advance of NAB, especially prices.
However, it would be nice to know what a "ready to shoot-with" package will end up costing, since the lens (and possibly other necessary items) are additional.
Now if we could see some cameras with native 1920x1080 imagers...
Posted by TedL on Thursday, February 15, 2007 @ 12:11 PM
5.
16 GB P2 card prices haven't been announced, but look for them to be competitive on a per-GB basis with the current 8 GB cards, which run $1200.
As far as workflow/archiving, Panasonic doesn't talk much about using DVCPRO decks in a P2 workflow. They're more about hard disk for short-term storage and Blu-ray data discs for long-term. I'm sure tapes come in handy in a lot of environments, especially if your client expects to receive the work on tape, but the company line on P2 is very file-centric.
Posted by Bryant Frazer on Thursday, February 15, 2007 @ 04:41 PM
6.
When will we see a next gen camera with a 200 form factor but 2/3" chips. They didn't sell 20,000 cameras just because they looked nice. There is a need for a high end camera in that form factor...as close to the size of a Red One as possible.
Posted by Gary Pillon on Thursday, February 15, 2007 @ 05:00 PM
7.
Quote: "Now if we could see some cameras with native 1920x1080 imagers..."
The Grass Valley Infinity will have 3 x 2.4million pixel 1920 x 1080 CMOS sensors.
Posted by Peter Corbett on Thursday, February 15, 2007 @ 07:43 PM
8.
a 2/3" 3 chip camera the size of the HVX200 would be physically impossible. The lens mount and chip set needs more room, just as a 35mm film camera is larger than a 16mm camera. I think the Red One is a single, CMOS camera. It has 12 million pixels, but one chip, which takes up less space than a 2/3" 3 chip prism set-up. The new Panasonic HPX500 looks smaller than most 2/3" cameras. I'll check it out at NAB.
Posted by Bruce Frankel on Friday, March 9, 2007 @ 06:50 PM
9.
I use P2 everyday to shoot news for a television station. I've got 1 8GB and 4 4GB cards. Its a solid format but not for the pro freelancer yet and not for most small video businesses. When the price of the cards comes down look at it again.
Posted by bernard moynahan on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 @ 06:45 PM
10.
This is not the end of it. HPX3000 with native 1080p will be out near the end of this year. Price is not the same though, abot $50K body. This is in no way can replace the venerable 720p Varicam. It doesn't even have that rich look. Looking at NAB, the HPX500 doesn't feel as good as the HPX2000. According to Panasonic reps, it's based on the HVX200 dsp. I have 2nd thought. If I'm going to invest a camera w/ a 5-year usage, I need something that can last. 1080i is not a true 1080i. It's bumped up fr. the 720p CCDs. In the end, the realistic workflow w/ the variable frame rate is going to be 720p. No proxy nor AVC expansion. Tempting, but not a risk-free investment.
Posted by The Spectman 12 on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 @ 02:07 PM
Post your comments below
.gif)
