Panasonic AG-DVX100 3CCD 24p Mini DV Camcorder Review (page 2)
Let the Revolution Begin
For whatever reason, objective or not, the movie-going public aesthetically prefers film to video. And while we might disagree about whether the typical videographer should even worry about the film look or should instead concentrate on shooting good video (you have to walk before you can run), the most powerful reason to recommend the Panasonic AG-DVX100 isn't 24p itself, but the option to shoot 24p. Add to this XLR audio, the Leica Dicomar lens, three 1/3-inch CCDs, multiple user presets, endless image tweaking and a street price in the $3,500 range and you'll understand why we feel Panasonic has made a revolutionary camera worthy of our highest praise.
TECH SPECS
Format: Mini DV
Lens: fl=4.5mm to 45mm, f/1.6, 10x optical zoom, 72mm filter, Leica Dicomar
Image Sensor: 3 x 1/3-inch CCD gross pixels: 410,000 effective pixels: 380,000
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch color (180,000 pixels)
LCD Viewscreen: 3.5-inch color (200,000 pixels)
Focus: auto, manual
Image Stabilization: optical
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/2,000
Iris Control: yes
Exposure: auto, manual
White Balance: auto, manual, presets
Audio: 16-bit, 48kHz
Microphone Input: yes
Inputs: FireWire, S-video, composite, XLR
Outputs: FireWire, S-video, composite, headphone
Edit Interface: FireWire
Other Features: 24p, 24p advanced, 30p, 60i shooting modes; Cine-like Gamma curves; customizable user modes; ND filters
Dimensions: 5-1/2 (w) x 6-5/16 (h) x 14-3/8 (d) (139 x 160 x 364 mm)
Weight: 3.65lbs (1.66 kg) (sans tape and battery)
Performance Times
Pause to Record: 0.89 seconds
Power-up to Record: 5.10 seconds
Tested Horizontal Resolution: +515 lines
Strengths
- Exceptional picture quality
- Six customizable modes
- Excellent progressive video
- Flexible image tweaking
Weaknesses
- No auto focus in progressive modes
SUMMARY
A revolutionary professional camera that allows shooters to switch between cinema-like images or standard video modes.
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(800) 528-8601
www.panasonic.com/pbds
$3,795
