I just received a bulletin from JVC today introducing a new package with the GYHM700 which includes Fujinon's new 17x4.5mm HD ENG Lens.
Take a look at the specs on the new Fuji XT17sx45BRMK1

Focal Length: 4.5 - 77mm
FNo (Aperture F-number): F1.6
MOD: 0.95m
Field Angle (Horizontal): 60.3 - 3.9 degrees
Zoom Control: (Fastest to Slowest): 1 - 15 seconds
Weight: 2.82 lbs / 1.28 kg
Size w/o Hood (Diameter x Length) Φ85mm x 175.6mm

Additional features include
New Ergonomic Grip Design
Quick Zoom Function - Rapid One-Touch Wide-to-Telepho Action
Cruising Zoom Function - Set Pace Zoom Capability

JVC's new package GYHM700L17S will include the new Fuji XT17x HD ENG Lens.
If you are currently looking at purchasing a GYHM700U package, then you may want to consider purchasing by March 26, 2010
JVC is providing a discount on the GYHM700L17S package until March 26th through Authorized JVC ProHD resellers which basically provides a sell price at the same cost as the GYHM700U package with the Canon 14X Lens and/or the GYHM700L17 which inludes the older Fuji 17x5BRM lens.

Contact your local Authorized JVC reseller for more information or Tapeworks Texas Inc Toll Free in the US or Canada 866-827-3489 for a customized quotation!

Scott Cantrell
Tapeworks Texas Inc - DVinfo Sponser
tapeworksscott@sbcglobal.net

interesting! So does this mean it's more desirable for the new 17x4.5 or is it an improved entry level lens, like an improved 16x lens? DVX user Barry Green references it's nearly the same lens as the 17x5 BRN. though it has CAC abilities. (good thing to have)

So it will be the SAME 17x.4.5 that's used on the Panasonic HPX 300. Does the HM700 use CAC to make use of this feature on this lens, IF the information is correct that it is the current 17x 4.5 lens now used on the Panasonic HPX 300?

As Dan said, CAC makes a huge, massive difference. When I was shooting res chart comparisons between the 300 and the EX1, I was really surprised to see just how much cleaner the 300 was.

If any 300 owners want to see how much difference the CAC functions make, try unplugging the lens (which disables the CAC function). I did that on an HPX500, and that's how I tested for the CAC article I wrote up a while ago, here in the articles section."

Alex, the information I was able to obtain is that Chromatic Abberation Compensation is added to camcorder's to compensate for inexpensive lenses. The Chromatic Abberation effect seems to happen only in extreme conditions.
Good lenses typically compensate for CAC. This is a function of lens quality.
This new Fujinon 17X lens is specked out to be a much better lens than the old 16X as well as the previous 17X5BRM that was shipping with the HM700.

Be sure to let us know when you have an estimate for the new package price. Looks like about a $1,000 upgrade over the canon 14x lens. I've seen some nice results from the hpx300 with I think the same lens, though the hpx300 somehow recieves the data from the lens to help correct the ca from the lens in the camera. I'm HOPING for a firmware upgrade for the hm700 that will do the same thing. I bet there is more to it than that though. Probably additional hardware is required.

The CA-Correction on the HPX301 works direct in the camera, not in the lens.
It only corrects vertical CAs, you can see horizontal and diagonal CAs on CAC-recordings
with the HPX301.