Panasonic AG-HPX255 P2 HD Handheld Camcorder - US Version w/ Seller Warranty

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 camcorders 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 Panasonics 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. The camera features two P2 card slots and allows you to record sequentially, with hot-swapping supported.Panasonic Optical Technology

The HPX255s high-performance 22x zoom lens was designed specifically for professional HD video production. Sharing the wide-angle capability found in the DVX and HVX series, the lens offers some additional telephoto capability for a 28-616mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range. The lens combines 18 elements in 12 groups and adds an ultra-high refractive (UHR) glass element, a low-dispersion element, and aspheric elements. Unique to Panasonic, Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) technology minimizes color bleeding in the surrounding image and achieves rich expression by way of finely rendered nuances and excellent shading

Ready for Remote Operation

The HPX255 has a remote terminal for the optional AG-EC5G Extension Control Unit (not included). Image quality can be adjusted and image acquisition can be controlled while viewing the monitor at a remote location. This handheld unit also supports studio integration. The camcorder also features genlock input and timecode I/O to enable multi-camera synchro shooting, and it has both HD-SDI and HDMI outputs

Manual Control Rings

Three manual rings – mechanical (cam-driven) zoom, focus, and iris – allow you to operate as if youve got an interchangeable-lens camcorder, for fine, tactile control over the parameters of the captured image

Turbo Auto Focus

Meanwhile, if youre not operating in full manual mode with the HPX255, theres a turbo-speed one-push auto focus capability, which ensures the camcorder quickly attains focus

Optical Image Stabilization

To compensate for any shaking of the operators hand, the HPX255 features an optical image stabilizer (OIS)

High-Sensitivity, Low-Noise 3MOS Image Sensor

Thanks to Progressive Advanced Processing (PAP) technology, high sensitivity up to F10 (F11 in 50 Hz mode) is possible, for low-noise performance in dimly lit environments. The 1/3-type 2.2 Mp 3MOS sensor features the same Ultra Luminance Technology (ULT) thats incorporated in Panasonics shoulder-mount P2 HD broadcast camcorders. This sensor maximizes the performance of the lens and the signal processing circuit in standard conditions

Flash Band Compensation

The CMOS sensor system uses a rolling shutter system that sequentially scans each line of pixels, thereby lowering power consumption vs. CCD cameras and enabling high-speed drive. But because the exposure timing differs for each line, when an external flash is used, it tends to produce images with a divided level of brightness from top to bottom. The HPX255 ameliorates this flash-band effect: it detects by comparing frame pairs and compensates to adjust the level

20-Bit Digital Signal Processor

The AG-HPX255s high-performance 20-bit DSP handles rendering processes such as gamma and detail-enhancement functions with uncommon precision

Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)

The DRS function automatically suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights in scenes that involve wildly varying contrast levels (such as indoor vs. outdoor elements in the same frame). DRS estimates a gamma curve and knee slope to match the contrast of each pixel and applies them in real time, producing excellent gradation for each shade and minimizing blocked shadows and blown highlights

Seven-Mode Gamma for Rich Gradation

Drawing upon the technology of the high-end VariCam line, the HPX255 features gamma functions for seven shooting scenarios, including two cinema modes: HD NORM (for standard HD recording), LOW (flattens out a high-contrast scene); SD NORM (for standard SD recording); HIGH (softens contrast and expands the tone of dark parts, making an image brighter); B.PRESS (sharpens the contrast compared to LOW); CINE-LIKE D (prioritizes dynamic range); and CINE-LIKE V (prioritizes contrast)

Other Camera Image Settings

The cameras shutter speed is variable from 1/6 to 1/2000 second, plus theres a Synchro Scan function. As with gamma, matrix setting includes a Cine-Like mode. H & V detail levels are adjustable, as are detail coring and skin-tone detail. Thats not all: chroma level, chroma phase, color temperature, and master pedestal are all adjustable as well. The camera offers four settings for knee point: Auto, Low, Mid, and High

Four-Position Optical ND Filter

A built-in four-position optical neutral density filter wheel offers the following choices: off, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, and 1/64 ND

Focus Assist Function

A convenient Focus Assist button expands the center of the LCD screen, allowing you to check for correct focus quickly & easily. A Focus Bar that indicates the focus level can be displayed on the LCD

Focus in Red

Another form of Focus Assist is Focus in Red, which offers color-on peaking and a focus bar that can be used while recording

Scene File / User File

The HPX255 features a dial for Set Scene, which allows you to choose an appropriate matrix of settings instantaneously. You can modify the six preset files if youd like, one set of which can be stored internally in the camcorder, and four more can be stored on an SD memory card

Three-Position Gain Selector + Super Gain

The three-position Gain Selector contains Low, Medium, and High settings. To each setting you can assign gain value of 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, +15, and +18 dB. Also, there are Super Gain settings of +24 and +30 dB

Simplified Waveform & Vectorscope

The AJ-HPX255 has waveform and vectorscope display functions for analyzing a captured video signal on the LCD

Five User Buttons

A total of five user buttons can be set to trigger any selection of 18 different camera functions

Full-Pixel, Full-Sample AVC-Intra Recording (10-Bit, 4:2:2)

The HPX255 offers 10-bit AVC-Intra recording (at both 100 and 50 Mb/s). Based on highly advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression, this codec employs intra-frame compression, which results in a hi