Panasonic AG-HPX255 P2 HD Handheld Camcorder

Description

The Panasonic AG-HPX255 P2 HD Handheld Camcorder is a compact professional camcorder that offers a bounty of capabilities in a small (5.5 lb) package. Not only can you record to the extremely high-quality AVC-Intra 100 Mb/s (10-bit 4:2:2) codec, but you can also control the camcorder's settings remotely in a studio configuration and integrate it into an HD-SDI-based video system.

Featuring an integrated 22x zoom lens and 2.2 Mp 1/3"-type 3MOS imagers, the versatile HPX255 also records 50 Mb/s AVC-Intra and several flavors of DVCPRO (including DVCPRO HD) as well as DV. A variety of frame rates are possible in DVCPRO modes, for native slow- and fast-motion effects. Advanced monitoring and help with focusing are possible thanks to the vectorscope, waveform, Focus Assist, and Focus in Red features of the camcorder.

The HPX255 has a remote port that makes it instantly compatible with Panasonic's AG-EC4G Extension Control Unit ( sold separately ), which provides remote control over camera settings such as gain, white balance, shutter speed, iris, menu settings, recording functions, and more. This makes the camera suitable for double duty as a field/studio camcorder at smaller news stations, educational institutions, and houses of worship. The genlock input, timecode I/O, and HD-SDI output will help integrate it into modern video systems.

For video that will later endure heavy processing in the form of effects and other processes, the intra-frame compression options of the HPX255 are crucial. The AVC-Intra 100 codec is a perfect choice for any projects that involve tasks such as greenscreen shooting. The HPX255 could also thrive as the go-to model for a freelance videographer who does a variety of jobs, from SD to HD – and with support for PAL/NTSC signal systems, it will cross oceans without missing a beat. Its compact size makes it hard to leave at home.

For rock-solid reliability, professional P2 cards (sold separately) provide more peace of mind than their SD brethren from the world of mass-market consumer electronics. With two slots, you can record either simultaneously (for creating an instant back-up) or sequentially, with hot-swap support.

Technical Specifications:

• Image Device:

• 3x 1/3-type progressive 2.2 Mp CMOS

• Prism color separation

• Lens

• 22x optical zoom

• 2x, 5x, 10x digital zoom

• 3.9-86mm (28-616mm 35mm equivalent)

• f/1.6-3.2

• 18 elements in 12 groups

• Minimum Object Distance (M.O.D.): Approx. 3.3' (1 m)

• Filter Diameter: 72mm

• Sensitivity: 59.94 Hz mode (at 2000 lux, 3200K, 89.9% reflection): F7 (1080i59.94, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE2), F10 (1080i59.94, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE1) 50 Hz mode (at 2000 lux, 3200K, 89.9% reflection): F8 (1080i50, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE2), F11 (1080i50, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE1)

• Minimum Illumination: 0.2 lux (f/1.6, gain +30 dB, shutter speed 1/30 second, P.A.P. Filter: TYPE1)

• Signal System: NTSC/PAL

• Built-in Filters: ND filter: OFF, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64

• LCD Monitor: 3.45" (87.63mm) color LCD monitor with approx. 921K dots (16:9)

• Viewfinder: 0.45" (11.43mm) color LCoS monitor with approx. 1226K dots (16:9)

• Memory Card Slot : 2x P2 slots

• Shutter Speed
  60i/60p mode: 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 30p mode: 1/30, 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 24p mode: 1/24, 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 50i/50p mode: 1/50, 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 25p mode: 1/25, 1/50, 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second

• Slow Shutter
  60i/60p mode: 1/15, 1/30 second 30p mode: 1/7.5, 1/15 second 24p mode: 1/6, 1/12 second 50i/50p mode: 1/12.5, 1/25 second 25p mode: 1/6.25, 1/12.5 second Synchro Scan Shutter 60i/60p mode: 1/60.0 to 1/249.8 second 30p mode: 1/30.0 to 1/249.8 second 24p mode: 1/24.0 to 1/249.8 second 50i/50p mode: 1/50.0 to 1/250.0 second 25p mode: 1/25.0 to 1/250.0 second

• Shutter Opening Angle
  3-359.5° in 0.5° increments

• Frame Rate:

• 59.94 Hz mode: 1080p: 1/2/4/6/9/12/15/18/20/21/22/24/25/26/27/28/30 fps, 17 step 720p: 1/2/4/6/9/12/15/18/20/21/22/24/25/26/27/28/30/32/34/36/40/44/48/54/60 fps, 25 step

• 50 Hz mode:
  1080p: 1/2/4/6/9/12/15/18/20/21/22/24/25 fps, 14 step 720p: 1/2/4/6/9/12/15/18/20/21/22/24/25/26/27/28/30/32/34/36/40/44/48/50 fps, 25 step

• Gain Selection: 0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+15/+18/+24/+30 db (+24 db, +30 db: USER SW allocation only)

• Recording Media: P2 card

• Recording Formats: AVC-Intra 100, AVC-Intra 50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DV

• Maximum Recording Time (With 1x 64 GB P2 card):

• AVC-Intra 100, DVCPRO HD: 64 minutes

• AVC-Intra 50, DVCPRO50: 128 minutes

• DVCPRO, DV: 256 minutes

• Video Signals: 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/29.97pN, 1080/23.98p, 1080/23.98pA, 1080/23.98pN, 720/59.94p, 720/29.97p, 720/29.97pN, 720/23.98p, 720/23.98pN, 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p, 480/23.98pA, 1080/50i, 1080/25p, 1080/25pN, 720/50p, 720/25p, 720/25pN, 576/50i, 576/25p

• Sampling Frequency: AVC-Intra 100, DVCPRO HD:
  Y: 74.1758 MHz, Pb/Pr: 37.0879 MHz (59.94 Hz)
  Y: 74.2500 MHz, Pb/Pr: 37.1250 MHz (50 Hz)
  DVCPRO50: Y: 13.5 MHz, Pb/Pr: 6.75 MHz
  DVCPRO: Y: 13.5 MHz, Pb/Pr: 3.375 MHz

• Quantization: AVC-Intra 100, AVC-Intra 50: 10-bit, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DV: 8-bit Video Compression : AVC-Intra 100, AVC-Intra 50: MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 Intra profile, DVCPRO HD: DV-based compression (SMPTE 370M), DVCPRO50, DVCPRO: DV-based compression (SMPTE 314M), DV: DV compression (IEC 61834-2)

• Audio Signal: AVC-Intra 100/50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50: 48 kHz, 16-bit, 4-channel

• DVCPRO/DV: 48 kHz, 16-bit, 2/4-channel switchable

• Speaker: 1x 20mm diameter

• Video Outputs: Composite: 1x pin jack, 1.0V [p-p], 75 ohm

• SDI: 1x BNC, 0.8V [p-p], 75 ohm, HD/SD switching via menu, 10-bit 4:2:2 throughout

• HDMI: 1x HDMI Type A

• Audio I/O Input: 2x XLR 3-pin (input 1, input 2) Line/Mic/+48V switchable Line: 0 dBu Mic: -40 dBu / -50 dBu / -60 dBu switching via menu Built-in Mic In supports stereo microphones

• Output:

• 2x pin jack (channel 1 / channel 2), 316mV, 600 ohm output

• 1x 3.5mm diameter stereo mini jack for headphones

• Other I/O Connections: Genlock In: 1x BNC, 1.0 V [p-p], 75 ohm

• Time Code In/Out: 1x BNC (In: 0.5 V [p-p] to 8 V [p-p], 10 k-ohm; Out: Low-impedance, 2.0±0.5V [p-p])

• Camera Remote: 1x 2.5mm diameter super mini jack (zoom, shutter speed); 1x 3.5mm diameter mini jack (focus, iris)

• IEEE 1394: 1x 6-pin, digital input/output

• USB 2.0 (Device): 1x Type Mini B, 4-pin USB 2.0

• USB 2.0 (Host): 1x Type A, 4-pin USB 2.0

• 10-pin input for AG-EC4G remote

• Power Requirements: 7.2 V DC via battery, 7.9 V DC via AC adapter

• Power Consumption 15 W with monitor in use

• Operating Temperature 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)

• Dimensions 7 x 7.7 x 17.25" (18 x 19.5 x 44 cm)

• Weight Approx. 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) excluding battery and accessories