The Scene File dial is useful in that it allows you to quickly jog through many different custom presets. Two audio pots (with glow-in-the-dark paint) and the Scene File dial are placed in back too. The rear of this High Definition camcorder is much different, largely because of the flip-out door that protects the P2 slots. Many buttons along the side appear in nearly the same place as they do on Panasonic's DVX100 series cameras. These are easy to read by you or your assistant. All of the buttons and switches are labeled in bold white type, except for the orange markings on the lens barrel. The matte black melds smoothly from end to end, starting with a large rubberized lens hood and ending with a well-placed viewfinder. It's larger than all other handheld prosumer camcorders, in height and width especially.

The HVX200 has exceptional features to go along with its exceptional size. If you have a project where compromise isn't an option, look into the HVX. We think these features are valuable for many different types of projects. These include DVCPRO HD 1080/24p and 720/60p, along with normal interlaced video. The P2 cards allow for true variable frame rates and recording options that Mini DV tape can't offer. For recording video, the HVX200 includes a Mini DV tape mechanism along with two P2 (Professional Plug-in) card slots. This versatile prosumer High Definition camcorder packs an array of features into a handheld design.

The variety of resolutions (1080i/p, 720p, 480i/p), frame rates (12-60p), image settings and recording modes-not to mention the well-known advantages of a P2 workflow-all provide the flexibility, functionality and sheer image quality that have made Panasonic's professional camcorders the workhorses of so many production environments.Panasonic has bypassed making an HDV camcorder and has gone straight for the jugular by introducing its full bandwidth High Definition camcorder, the AG-HVX200.

It can accommodate both 1/3' and 2/3' lenses, it shoots in standard definition as well as HD and with an optional remote control unit it can be used as a studio camera (aided by the included timecode and genlock functionality). With two HD/SD-SDI outputs, two P2 media slots, a 17x Fujinon HD lens and one SD memory card slot (for scene files and user settings), the AG-HPX370 is a top-level image capture device that also offers a high degree of versatility. Equally at home recording 100Mbps DVCPRO HD, the AG-HPX370 brings new levels of lowlight performance to its three 1/3' CMOS sensors, utilizing Ultra Luminance Technology to provide the sensitivity and image quality of larger 1/2' imagers. The Panasonic AG-HPX370 Series P2 HD Camcorder is an affordable 1/3' ENG camcorder that offers full-raster 4:2:2 sampling using the professional AVC-Intra HD codec.

Panasonic p2