From Digital Producer:

"Panasonic AG-DVC60
Panasonic has announced the AG-DVC60, a 3-CCD Mini-DV camcorder that employs a wide angle, high-performance 16X optical zoom lens and delivers the stability and respect of shoulder-style shooting.


Ruggedly designed for professional use, this 5.5-pound camcorder delivers sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered images with vivid colors due to its 12-bit A/D and RGB Gamma Processor. Among its many inventive features are infrared nighttime shooting, movie-like recording mode, and 16:9 recording modes.


“The economically-priced AG-DVC60 is tricked out for top performance while its shoulder-mount design reduces fatigue and provides on-the-job respect,” said Stuart English, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast.


Equipped with three 410,000-pixel CCDs, the AG-DVC60 has a wide-angle 16X zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) and a focal length of 39.5 to 632 mm (35mm still camera equivalent) to meet virtually any broadcast and professional need. The new lens has low-dispersion glass to substantially reduce chromatic aberration, flare and ghosting. For sports applications, the 16X high-speed optical zoom is extremely fast in transitioning between wide and telephoto modes. It also sports a three-speed handle zoom and run switch."

http://digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=26767

GL

Any word on chip size? If its got 1/3" chips, sounds like a nice dvc80 replacement.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ryan Gohlinghorst : Any word on chip size? If its got 1/3" chips, sounds like a nice dvc80 replacement. -->>>

I am pretty sure it is based on the same ccds as the DVC80/100a. "410,000-pixel CCDs".

GL

Any word on chip size? If its got 1/3" chips, sounds like a nice dvc80 replacement.


Don't get your hopes up yet. The DVC60 looks like a professional version of the DVC30 and the MSRP doesn't reflect a 1/3" 3CCD. You're probably looking at three 1/4" CCDs with 410k pixels each.

Here is the WEVA announcement that goes a little more into detail than the link above. I believe they even reference the DVC60 as being the counterpart to the DVC30.

http://www.weva.com/cgi-bin/newsreader.pl?op=render&type=i&storyid=1810

<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear : Don't get your hopes up yet. The DVC60 looks like a professional version of the DVC30 and the MSRP doesn't reflect a 1/3" 3CCD. You're probably looking at three 1/4" CCDs with 410k pixels each.

Here is the WEVA announcement that goes a little more into detail than the link above. I believe they even reference the DVC60 as being the counterpart to the DVC30.

http://www.weva.com/cgi-bin/newsreader.pl?op=render&type=i&storyid=1810 -->>>

It does look like a morph between the DVC-30 and the old DVC7. Oh well. The DVC-80 was truly an anomaly I suppose.

GL

That's unfortunate. The native 16:9 is a nice step in the right direction, though.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ryan Gohlinghorst : That's unfortunate. The native 16:9 is a nice step in the right direction, though. -->>>

I'm not even sure it's "Native".

GL

Damnit, why couldnt they make a DVX with this shell???

GRRRRRRR

hmm.. looks like they built a shell utilising the XLR attachment...
Evrything else is identical to the DVC30..

NOT HAPPY!!!

I was [_] close to gettin a dvc30.. now im gonna have ot wait till i gt my hands on this and see if i want it.. :(

grrrrr why oh why oh why didnt Pana do this with the DVX?

The native 16:9 is a nice step in the right direction, though.

The 16:9 function of the DVC30 (and probably the DVC60) is rather subpar compared to other high resolution 16:9 (from 4:3 CCDs) cams out today. Most cams having a quality 16:9 mode extracted from a 4:3 CCD have typically had 680k or more pixels per CCD.

My previous cam (Panasonic NV-GS100K - $1200USD) did a better job.

Looks at this comparison between the GS100 and DVC30.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=901419

Both cams are using their cinema modes which include frame mode, widescreen, and cine-like gamma.

One thing to note is that Pana is touting the new lens as having low-dispersion glass to counteract flaring and ghosting. Isn't this the same attribute mentioned by Allan re the Japan domestic gs400 - and not touted for the NA gs400 model? We may have to wait and see whether the footage the dvc60 give you is at the dvc30 level or an actual improvement. Maybe a head-to-head between your Japan gs400 and someone's dvc60, Tommy?

Definitely worth looking into. I should be placing an order for a Japanese GS400 in the next few days unless I find enough dinero for a DVX100a. :)

If this thing has a "gs400" like way of capturing 16x9 and 30p with cinegamma curve, with that nice lens and audio imputs...

I'm in.

But I can't tell if it's got the guts of the gs400 or the dvc30.

Jan Crittenden described it to me as a DVC30 in a DVC15 body. I'm diggin' the 12-bit A/D, Cine-gamma, and four scene files. It's nice to see an addition to the DVC line.

i'm intrigued by the physical shape/design, but how do the chips compare to the dvx? i like the long lens..........

my questions:
powered from the same battery type?
lens diameter?? (72mm? so i can use my present mattebox?)


might be a nice addition to my dvx.....but a replacement???

might be a nice addition to my dvx.....but a replacement???

The DVC30/DVC60 both with smaller CCDs and no progressive scan (24p/30p) I'd say your DVX100 still comes out on top. By a long shot.

Hmmm, well, as I don't own a DVX100, and as I'm not THAT concerned about 16:9, I have to say that I am looking very much forward to this shouldermount prosumer cam, assuming it's construction is solid, it's VF is sharp, it's ergonomics are sound, and it has the zoom rocker up front on the lense handle...Good looking unit.

This camera would be awesome if introduced additionally with the following:

1/3" chips
full length DV tape

That camera will never be released because it would take away from both dvx but dvc200 sales...

Depending on it's low light abilities I'm still looking into it.

Depending on it's low light abilities I'm still looking into it.

The DVC30 is said to have slightly better low light performance than a GL2 even though they have a similar CCD and pixel arrangement (1/4" 3CCD w/ 410k each).

If the DVC60 is identical internally to the DVC30 then you could probably expect similar results.

Looks like a neat cam but I think you're right about 1/3" CCDs as it would cut into other sales. At least its not another DVC7 or a 1/6" 3CCD. :)

you need to find ergonomic feedback on the DVC 7.. No one was happy with it..

Someone on another site pointed out that the low-dispersion lens I thought might be an improvement is also an attribute of the dvc30, so unless there are other tweaks, what Tommy has on his site re 16:9 action footage from the 30 should hold for the 60, too. Though I think I remember someone else posting some footage that looked very nice - not of bike racing or anything as action packed, however, and can't remember if it was 16:9 or not.

I also recall viewing some nice DVC30 footage but I believe it was some nature shots and they were 4:3.

Yeah DVX user...Another board i frequent.. fellar had stills of dragonfly if i recall.. If your into the DVX100 camera or its close cousins.. ie dvc30.. DVXuser is a great place to hang out for info.