Panasonic Varicam
High Definition Camcorder
AJ-HDC27-F

This is the first high definition production camera that is capable of variable frame rate at the touch of a button. Individual frame rates may be selected from: 4-fps to 60-fps in single frame increments. Designed as a high quality production camera, this native 720p camcorder can be used for 60-fps or the film-like 24-fps acquisition. When acquiring for 24-fps projects, higher than 24-fps operation can be processed for slow motion effects while slower than 24-fps operation can be processed to speed up motion. Additionally, the variable frame rates and related variable shutter speeds create some very interesting ghost like motion blur effects, warp speed zoom effects, and long exposure still shots typical of what one might see in music videos, sci-fi dramas and dream sequences.

The camera has the capability to emulate film's contrast ratio (i.e. cinema gamma). This function greatly increases the camera's usable dynamic range, especially in traditionally limiting areas such as highlight handling, which until now was a serious limitation for most HD cameras. "Cine Gamma" provides the user with a much closer approximation of film's renowned ability to maintain smooth image tonality.

Panasonic AG-HVX200
High Definition, Variable frame rate
Multi-format camcorder

The AG-HVX200 is the first professional handheld camera to offer HD 24p acquisition. This unit inherits many of the functions of the VariCam including variable frame rate, true 24p/30p progressive video, cine-gamma , 4-channel uncompressed digital audio and IEEE 1394/USB2.0 PC interface.

The HVX200's small size makes it the perfect camera for many of the shoots where it becomes prohibitive for a VariCam or an AJ-SDX900 to be placed such as in a car or waterproof housing. This camera is also able to record Standard Definition in the DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV formats. The AG-HVX200 supports migration from the entire DVCPRO family of equipment. All 1080, 720, and 480 signals support 24p and 30p frame rates. The AG-HVX200 records standard DV to tape and all other formats to Panasonic's P2 solid state memory card. The card provides excellent resistance to impact, vibration and temperature change. The HVX200 will be available in November 2005.