Shoulder-Type Performance and Functions in a Professional Handheld Camera Recorder
The high-performance AG-HPX250 P2 handheld fills out the P2HD Series by incorporating the newest technologies throughout - in the lens, camera and recorder sections.

The newly developed 22x zoom lens covers a wide shooting range, from wide-angle to telephoto, and features three manual rings for precise control. Imaging is optimized by the high-sensitivity, low-noise 1/3-type 2.2-megapixel U.L.T. (Ultra Luminance Technology) 3MOS image sensor. And the AG-HPX250 is the first handheld model to support AVC-Intra codecs. This combination produces a level of performance that rivals many full-size shoulder-type camera recorders, and adds the high-quality acquisition of Full-HD (1920 x 1080) and 10 bit, 4:2:2 full sample, broadcast-level images. Image expression is also boosted by the Variable Frame Rate (VFR) function, and system expansion for broadcasting and other production applications is provided by multi-camera synchronizing. The stylish design of the AG-HPX250 adds further to both mobility and operating ease, and opens a new stage for news gathering and image acquisition.

In addition to AVC-Intra 100/50 recording, the HPX250 records in DVCPRO HD, as well as standard definition recording in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The HPX250 supports international HD and SD standards, an added benefit to producers with global clients. In AVC-Intra 100/50 and DVCPRO HD, it records in 1080 at 59.94i, 29.97p(N), 23.98p(N), 50i and 25p(N) and in 720p at 23.98p(N), 29.97p(N), 59.94p, 50p and 25p(N). In DVCPRO50/25 and DV, it records in 480 at 59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 23.98pA, and in 576 at 50i and 25p.

The HPX250 offers variable frame rate capability in 1080p up to 30fps as well as 720p up to 60fps for undercranking / overcranking to create fast or slow-motion effects.

The HPX250 offers genlock/timecode input for multi-camera operation, as well as an HD SDI output, an HDMI output, and an IEEE 1394 in/out. The camera recorder is equipped with a Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) function to help compensate for wide variations in lighting, a waveform monitor and vector scope display, and two focus assist functions – a picture expanding function and a focus bar.

Equipped with two P2 card slots, the HPX250 can record for up to 320 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 720/24pN, 160 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 1080/24pN and 128 minutes in other AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD formats on two 64GB cards. In AVC-Intra 50, the recording time is twice as AVC-Intra 100.

The P2 HD handheld offers all the benefits of a faster, file-based P2 HD workflow including such recording features as instant recording start-up, clip thumbnail view for immediate access to video content on all cards, and a host of time-saving recording modes including continuous recording, card slot selection, hot swapping, loop, pre-record (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), one-shot and interval recording. The camera recorder also features an SD memory card slot for saving or loading scene files and user settings.

For easy HD viewing, the camera is equipped with a widescreen 1,226,000-pixels LCOS colour viewfinder and a widescreen 921,000-pixels 8.8cm (3.45 inches) LCD colour monitor.

Rob Tarrant, European Product Manager for Panasonic AV Systems Europe, outlines some of the features of the new AG-HPX250EJ

• 1/3 type 2.2MP Progressive MLT MOS Sensor
• 21x Large Diameter 3 Ring (Zoom, Focus & Iris) Lens
• AVC-Intra 100, AVC-Intra 50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO & DV Recording
• Genlock & TC Input/Output for MultiCamera shooting
• Variable Frame Rate Recording
• 4 Position ND Filter Wheel, DRS, Area Focus & Area Iris functions & Cine Like Gamma control
• Pre-Record, Loop Record, One Shot Record and Interval Recording
• 2 x P2 Card Slots for consecutive recording and hot-swapping
• HD-SDI/HDMI/DV Output, USB 2.0