Announced at NAB:

For Journalists (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=623006&modelNo=Content03242011040904464&surfModel=Content03242011040904464)

Thanks for the update. Yes, these models are for true pros. Certainly 2 rich for my carburator. Pana needs something in the 2k price range. Otherwise the Canon XA is gonna mop the floor w/them.

Far as new "pro" cams in the 2k range, they're either way over inventory on the HMC-40 OR they R conceeding the price range to Canon.

How exactly is the HMC40 not a pro camera in the $2000.00 price range? The HMC40 already does more then many other HD cameras twice it's price. About the only negative it has is low light performance but other then that it can equal cameras that cost 2x or 3x as much.

I would basically think of these new cameras as a HMC-40 with a much tighter zoom lens and better low light performance. Basically everything the HMC40 already is but even better. We will have to wait to see just how much better the low light performance is. Remember the difference between 1/4" and 1/3" is not a huge amount. The HMC150 was 1/3" and needed to use less dense sensors with pixel shift to get the low light performance it had. Just moving to 1/3" may put it somewhere between the HMC40 and the HMC150. Of course sensor technology is always improving so perhaps it will be as good as the HMC150 but I highly doubt it will be better.

With that said any bit helps and I'm really considering selling my HMC40 to get the ac130.

How exactly is the HMC40 not a pro camera in the $2000.00 price range? The HMC40 already does more then many other HD cameras twice it's price. About the only negative it has is low light performance but other then that it can equal cameras that cost 2x or 3x as much.

Low light is the most challenging thing and it's just *may* be the reason those cameras are twice the price. Get your hands on the 1/2" 3-mos EX1 and you will experience a huge jump.

The least they could do is update the 2 small display and possibly include an XLR connector in the handle like the Canon XA.

Little things mean a lot.

I'd say the HPX370 should give a decent estimate on how the low light capabilities of these cameras will be since the chips are similar.

Paulo, do we know this for sure? I don't remember seeing anything that said they are the same sensors as the 370. I would love if they are.

I just don't see why would it be in between the HMC40 and the HMC150 when the chips seam similar to the HPX370.

I just don't see why would it be in between the HMC40 and the HMC150 when the chips seam similar to the HPX370.

The AC160/130 will be way better than the HMC150. The 150 uses uprezzed SD chips. The 1902x1080 full raster CMOS chips of the 160/130 will be clearly superior. Plus, the viewfinders will be a lot sharper, better for critical focusing.
There's really no competiton betwen the two.

I was actually talking about low light capabilities in this case saying it's most likely more similar to the HPX370.

I do wish it had a 1080 60p mode.

Here's a video with even Jan herself saying the chips are similar.
NAB 2011: Panasonic on Vimeo