AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

I don't know how I missed this until now. Panny had a prototype AVC-Ultra handheld cam at NAB 2013.
Looks like a possible replacement for the HPX250?

The video's in German (I think), so I don't know what info they're giving.

Re: AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

It being MicroP2 already rules out 1080p50/60 support. Not really worth it unless you want to switch to a MicroP2 workflow.

Re: AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

And they are comming with a Varicam that can record 120 fps.

Re: AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

Specs in the video say the handheld model has 1080p60 at 10-bit 4:2:2.

Re: AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

Micro P2 cards have nothing to do with 1080/60P, as far as the camera goes. The new AX5000 and the new Varicam take micro P2 cards, and they most certainly do AVC-Ultra 1080/60P. The HPX600, when upgraded to AVC-Ultra, will also do 1080/60P and it uses micro P2 cards.

Re: AVC-Ultra handheld cam
 

I don't know why many are excited over AVC-Ultra on the prosumer grade HPX-250. It's simply diminishing return on investment and nothing but a gimmick bait to upgrade. You're wasting storage space for very little improved resolution, especially at Class 200. Somewhat delusional to think that AVC-200 codec alone will miraculously solve all lens defects and the tiny 1/3" sensor size limitations. Now if the HPX-250 successor has DRS at AVC-I 100 1080/30p & beyond, it's a worthwhile upgrade. Currently you can only do DRS at 1080/60i AVC-I 100, which is extremely limiting. This is not an issue on their 2/3" HPX3### series cam. Other than 1080/60p, I don't see any major reason to spend another $6K. You can test it yourself on the current HPX-250. Most of the times AVC-Intra 100 outperforms the HPX-250's DSP & cheap KG lens. In other words, you can run HD-SDI out to uncompress HD capture (Decklink or AJA cards) and the bottleneck here undeniably is the lens and the 1/3" MOS sensors of the HPX-250. It's impossible for any cam mfg to put a $80K lens on a $6K body. Probably only higher frame rates will benefit. But at higher frame rates (like 120 fps), I don't think you can use AVC-Ultra Class 200. This is the case w/ the upcoming 2/3" AJ-PX-5000G aka "Varicam 3".