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PANASONIC'S AG-HPX500 P2 HD CAMCORDER
The AG-HPX500, introduced by Panasonic at NAB this past April, is the new big brother to the popular AG-HVX200 P2 camera. The full shoulder-mount HPX500 is a 2/3-inch 3-CCD (interline, progressive capable) high-definition camera with a 14-bit A/D converter with 19-bit internal processing. Like its little sibling, the tapeless camera utilizes solid-state P2 cards - in this case, four of them of capacities up to 16GB each. The camera can record 1080-, 720- or 480-line resolutions in DVCPRO HD (lOOMb/s), DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV
The HPX500 is also a true "world" camera that can be switched easily between 59.94 and 50Hz systems with a simple menu adjustment. In 720-line resolution, the camera features VariCamlike variable frame rates from 12 to 60fps. Four discrete 16-bit 48kHz audio channels are available via four XLR inputs (two rear, two front), each featuring line or mie settings and +48V phantom power.
TESTING
My very first impression of the camera, pulling it out of the case, was that it is heavy for a camera without a tape drive mechanism - about 15 lb. with a Fujinon 17x (XA17x7.6BERM-M58B) lens and Anton/Bauer Dionic battery. It's a bit of an odd distribution of weight-not entirely unbalanced, but not entirely comfortable, either. As I moved around with the 500 for a while, it seemed to settle in, but it never rested as comfortably as a Betacam or HDCAM on my shoulder.
As far as settings, the HPX500 delivers everything I want in a relatively inexpensive HD camera. It can shoot everything from DVCPRO HD 1080 (4:2:2) down to standard-def 480. It can shoot off-speed, like the VariCam, in 1280x720 mode, with several gamma selections and a focus- assist system that blew me away.
I put all cameras through the same set of tests whenever I do a review. Working first with my favorite color chart, Gamma & Density's Gamma=2U, I check for color fidelity and camera sensitivity (ISO/EI).
As a former cinematographer, I'm generally looking at scripted applications for cameras-not ENG or video applica tions-so I'll nearly always set my defaults to 24p. In the case of the HPX500, I started with 1920x1080 24p, normal HD gamma, "mid" knee, normal matrix and 180-degree shutter. The Panasonic unit...