Weapon of Choice: Panasonic HMC 150

The Panasonic HMC AVCHD camera is another of my "weapon's of choice". I've had a lot of experience using this camera as well as a number of other cameras and this one by far has everything I need in video production. Here's a few things this camera is capable of.

The Panasonic AG-HMC150 is a camcorder designed to record in high definition on standard SecureDigital (SD) and SHDC memory cards. While SD-based camcorders have been gaining ground in the consumer market, the AG-HMC150 has the ability to record AVCHD images at significantly higher bitrates. This enhancement makes the camera more efficient than comparable HD interframe codecs, such as HDV and XDCAM EX. Using H.264 as its compression algorithm, the camera can record incredibly detailed images at a fraction of the file size.

AVCHD is a variation on interfame codecs such as HDV and XDCAM. The advantage is that it uses a standard H.264 compression algorithm, making it highly efficient without sacrificing large portions of memory. Less bandwidth allows the camera to record directly to SD and SDHC media.

The AG-HMC150 will feel much like the acclaimed AG-DVX100, as opposed to its more similar and larger cousin, the AG-HVX200. Reducing weight makes the camera easy to hold; at 4.2 lbs the camera is very comfortable on long shoots.

The 13x zoom lens system features 13 lens elements in 10 groups, including three aspherical lenses. Panasonic has reduced the front lens element from 67mm on the AG-HVX200 to 53.2mm on the AG-HMC150. The use of low-dispersion glass reduces color aberration while a multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting.

The camcorder's advanced digital signal processor uses 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit inner processing to attain unprecedented accuracy. While the camera does not record 1080/60p, it is from this capture that all other signals are made. The DSP performs a variety of adjustments, including eight types of gamma settings, for each of the R, G and B channels. It also converts the signals to HD or SD format. With a performance equivalent to the processors used in many higher-end HD cameras, this DSP helps the camera deliver beautiful images in all video formats.

- Courtesy of B&H Photo.com