Ag-hpx600

[Mark Donnell]

I haven't found detailed specs on this new camcorder, but it appears to use a single 2/3" MOS chip. Would it then de-Bayer the output, similar to what I think the RED 1 does ? Maybe someone saw this unit at NAB and can provide more info ?

[Glen Vandermolen]

I assumed it used 3 chips, as all the 2/3" cameras do. However, checking on what limited info is out there, I can't confirm that. There is a lot of reference to a new 2/3" CMOS sensor (singular). Still, that doesn't mean it doesn't have 3, as I've checked descriptions of other 3-chip cameras, and sometimes they mention the chip in the singular sense.
But that would explain the light weight and low power consumption. Interesting choice by Panasonic, if true.

[Mark Donnell]

A panasonic rep called me today to see if I had any questions regarding the new releases at NAB. I asked him whether the HPX600 will have a single 2/3" MOS chip or whether it will be a 3-chip camera. None of his information could give a definite answer, so he has a call into the engineering team on this unit. I'll let you all know what he says when he gets back to me. The best guess is that it has a three-chip design, since it is an upgrade of the HPX500.

[Mark Donnell]

Further follow-up : the rep called back and said that he had spoken with the engineer here in the US who will be in charge of the HPX600, and that no one in that department has yet seen a unit. The unit that was at the NAB was apparently sealed and no one could get a look inside, so the bottom line at this point is that no one knows for sure if this is a one-chip or a three-chip camera. We'll just have to wait a bit longer for the answer.

[Tom Klein]

Just to keep this thread going on this new offering.
For Journalists

Love to see some real world tests , being light weight it will be a great for news, n events etc.

TomK

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by Tom Klein

Love to see some real world tests , being light weight it will be a great for news, n events etc.

Don't get too excited. That press release only speaks of "Weighing less than 7 pounds ...". It's normal with such cameras to only talk of the weight of the basic body, and by the time all the neccessary things are added to make a usable camera, expect it to roughly double - more with specialist lenses, headlights, radio mic receivers etc.

By comparison, look at the specs for the Sony PMW350:

3.2 kg (7 lb 1 oz) (body)
6.3 kg (13 lb 14 oz) (with LCD VF, AF lens, Mic, BP-GL95)

So even that is only 7lb 1oz body only, and gets virtually doubled even with the kit lens. Don't expect the package weight of the HPX600 to be noticeably less than comparable other 2/3" cameras. The difference between varying batteries, lenses etc will make far more difference than body weight differences.

The press release talk of "With its ultra-light weight......" needs to be taken with quite a bit of a pinch of salt. The difference in total package weight compared to something like a PMW350 is only likely to be something like 1% - and that's assuming they produce a lightweight package lens for it, like for the Sony K series.

[Tom Klein]

Hi David,

"By comparison, look at the specs for the Sony PMW350:
3.2 kg (7 lb 1 oz) (body)
6.3 kg (13 lb 14 oz) (with LCD VF, AF lens, Mic, BP-GL95)".

These new cams are much lighter as they have less in them, My Now old P2 cam the SPX800 is still delivering great pics be they only 50mb SD, now over7years old.
It weighs in at 9 kg with lens VF Batt drop in mic and led light. I'm getting towards retirement and every kilo makes the jobs harder. I also have a HPX172 for jobs on the run, in good light, like all small cams they suffer in low light IMO.
I've never considered XDCam as some events I do I cannot justify stopping the record to swap out a full disc/s.
Lightweight is the trend as I see more and more smaller camera op's about these days. I like the form factor and features of the HPX600, but I also like the form of the JVC shoulder mount cams.
ie, VideoGuys Australia | JVC GY-HM790E ProHD ENG Studio Camera w/ 14X Lens - GY-HM790E
it comes in at nearly 4kg. nice n light, pics for news and general events would be OK.
Not every job requires "Broadcast" quality, most jobs these days are for web deliver and DVD, so going downmarket in kit is a trend I've noticed, even the extremely cheap DSLR's have made big in roads into the industry.

cheers
TomK.

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by Tom Klein

I've never considered XDCam as some events I do I cannot justify stopping the record to swap out a full disc/s.

There's a difference between XDCAM disc and XDCAM to solid state - the former models tend to be described as PDW-, the latter as PMW-. The PMW350 is a solid state camera, with the XDCAM codec recorded to it, so as with any other solid state camera no need to stop recording when recording long events.

It seemed to be generally assumed (including by me) that disc cameras were intended as an interim step to solid state. It now looks as if they will coexist (at least in the Sony range!) for quite a while - some users (like you) prefer solid state for very valid reasons, but others actually prefer disc systems for alternate reasons - such as no need to download on location.

Lightweight is the trend as I see more and more smaller camera op's about these days.

I don't disagree in principle, but such as the JVC are 1/3" chip, the HPX600 and the PMW350 are 2/3". Point I'm really trying to make is that in operation (fully equipped with lens etc) there's likely to be virtually no noticeable difference between the 350/600. If the HPX600 doesn't come with a lens as light as the PMW350K package it's quite possible that a basic HPX600 PACKAGE may weigh more than a PMW350 - even if the basic body is a couple of ounces less.

[Tom Klein]

Hi David,

Yes your correct re XDCam / Solid state Sony's. Most Networks (in Australia) I deal with are on the Sony XDcams, one is P2 , yes workflow / personal prefs does dictate which suits your best, I have been on P2 since 05 and suits me.
Only issue i've ever had with my old Panasonic SPX800 is the fold out screen door ribbon cable broke after 5years use, I replaced it myself for under "$100 parts cost".
I remember years before when I had one of my Sony DVCam cams failed on the tape drive gears, just 1 month from end of warranty, it took many calls to get it repaired as it was a known fault.
I've been more than happy with Panasonic cams etc since, so I'll look close at any future decisions to up-date. If I can shave 3kg off my current kit , that would be nice.
thanks for the info.

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by Tom Klein

I've been more than happy with Panasonic cams etc since, so I'll look close at any future decisions to up-date. If I can shave 3kg off my current kit , that would be nice.
thanks for the info.

I'm afraid you won't shave 3kg off with the HPX600. A quick search on your current SPX800 gives the comparable weight as 9.26 lbs (4.2 kg).

So a PMW350 will shave 1.0kg off, and an HPX600 maybe slightly more - maybe 1.1kg if you're lucky.

To get 3kg lighter you'll have to move away from 2/3" and shouldermount. maybe to the 1/3" JVC cameras you mentioned.

[Calvin Bellows]

I have the JVC HM 700 and am looking to upgrade for multi camera live events and hockey. Does anyone know why Panasonic is keep some information from us # of chips SN? Also does anyone have experience with these CMOS chips shooting tight follow for hockey and notice any flash banding when there are photogs taking stills?

[Tom Klein]

Originally Posted by David Heath

I'm afraid you won't shave 3kg off with the HPX600. A quick search on your current SPX800 gives the comparable weight as 9.26 lbs (4.2 kg).
So a PMW350 will shave 1.0kg off, and an HPX600 maybe slightly more - maybe 1.1kg if you're lucky.
To get 3kg lighter you'll have to move away from 2/3" and shouldermount. maybe to the 1/3" JVC cameras you mentioned.

Yes you may be right, the extra weight in my old P2 is the drop in wireless receiver, and the SDI card plus a firewire card, I used the firwire port for some time before P2 cards became available.
Even saving 1 to 1.5 Kg would be nice without sacrificing image quality, Or I may just backslide to the JVC option.

Cheers for the good advice David.
TomK.

[Rajiv Attingal]

before banking on hpx600 someone should conform the number of chips in the body.
at present not sure it is single or three chip camera.

thanks

[Konstantin Kovalev]

A little off topic, but it seems the 600 is basically a 3100 with CMOS, and future upgrade that will allow you to shoot long-gop in addition to intra. Besides the obvious CMOS vs CCD thing, the 600 is only $4000 cheaper body only.

Personally, I was hoping for an all-in-one kit like the PMW-350k, but now the 3100 sounds like a better choice. Unlike the Sony 350/500 there just isn't a very big difference between the 600/3100 in price or features.

Thoughts?

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by Konstantin Kovalev

Thoughts?

If it's a "CMOS 3100" then one of the first things to ask is whether it has any 720p and/or variable speed capabilities? (Which I don't believe the 3100 does??)

Ideally, I'd like to see full slo-mo up to 60fps at full 1080 resolution - failing that it really should (like the PMW350/500) manage proper slo-mo at 720p.