More info on Panasonic’s Micro 4/3rds Hybrid AG-AF100 Video Camera
I’m gonna call it right now. Mark the time.
Everyone, and their brother will have this camera at some point. The Panasonic AG-AF100 will become as ubiquitous as the Canon XL1 in 2000 or the DVX100 in 2004. Just call it a hunch. At around $6000, Panasonic has merged the DSLR fanboys with their video camcorder loving counterparts, and it looks like they might just have a winner here, although I’m being premature.
Panasonic is being coy with the details, but DPReview.com got us some new ones.
Panasonic has released more details of its AG-AF100 professional Micro Four Thirds HD camcorder. It is capable of recording up to 12 hours of video using its two SDXC compatible slots. It offers 1080 and 720 video recording in frame rates of 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25 or 23.98p with the top two rates interlaced in 1080 mode. The camcorder also features industry-standard HD SDI and XLR connectors and is compatible with the company’s line up of Lumix G lenses, filters and adapters for using 35mm lenses.
12 hours of video! Nice. Remember, it’s micro 4/3rds and will utilize Panasonic’s Lumix lenses natively. The codec is AVCCam to SDXC cards.
Here’s the info - AG-AF100 Marketing Material (pdf)
2 Responses
As with all new image capture technology, I am skeptical. It is Canon’s full frame chip that is the difference in my opinion, never been a fan of the 4/3 chips. Panasonic has no history with with this tech. Do they even make a DSLR still/video camera? I don’t know, but I do know that Canon is working on something and I think it will blow the doors off this Panasonic rig. Having used the Mark II with full frame means there’s no going back for me. One man’s opinion.
Eric,
Thanks for the comment. Panasonic does indeed make a pretty great DSLR called the GH1, as well as a set of lenses. This is the same sensor that will most likely appear in the new Panasonic AF-100 camcorder. Here is a link to a thread where the GH1 is paired against the 5D. You’ll also see the GH1 go up against the other DSLR’s and film in Zacuto’s DSLR vs. Film shootout. The GH1 does very well, as does the 5d and 7d. Having said all that, if Canon would just make the damn perfect camcorder/DSLR hybrid, I’d just prefer to use that.
http://www.productionapprentice.com/tutorials/general/the-panasonic-gh1-vs-canon-5dmii-an-unofficial-verdict/