Panasonic AG-AC130 | Professional AVCCAM HD Handheld Camera Recorder

The AG-AC130 is handheld AVCCAM Camera Recorder which incorporate high-sensitivity 1/3 type, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images, with a new, wider 21X HD zoom lens.

The AG-AC130 features two SD card slots for relay or simultaneous recording, compatibility with high-capacity SDXC media, an enhanced viewfinder and LCD display, and DV recording. The AG-AC160 also includes top production features including variable frame rate recording in 1080p, Linear PCM audio, HD SDI output, and switchability between 59.94Hz/50Hz.

AVCCAM camera recorders’ Full HD resolution imager produces stunning 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 AVCHD video at high sensitivity. Because the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec provides a doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression-based formats, recordings look clean and crisp, even during fast motion, without image degradation or dropouts. Utilising a 21X zoom lens with three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris, these new AVCCAM units offer a wide 28mm (35mm equivalent) viewing angle, covering most shooting situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens.

The AG-AC130 record video in four professional AVCCAM HD recording modes, including the highest-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps) and a PM mode (less than 10 Mbps, 720p only), which is ideal for shooting sports training and web video.

With the higher capacity SDXC slot the camera is also compatibility with existing SDHC card support. SDXC is the newest SD memory card specification that supports memory capacities above 32GB and up to 2TB. With two SD slots for continuous recording, the AG-AC/130 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode, with automatic clip spanning across the two cards. The two slots can also be utilized for simultaneous recording.

At 50Hz, the camera recorders support the following HD formats in PH mode: 1080/50i and 1080/25p, in 720/50p and 720/25p,; in HA and HE modes, they record in 1080/50i; and in standard definition DV, they record 576/50i and 576/25p.  At 60Hz, the AC 160 also records in 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98pN, 720/59.94p, 720/29.97p, 720/23.98pN and in 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p.

The AG-AC/130 includes many professional features such as time code/UB recording; time/date stamp; and two wired remote control terminals (for zoom, focus, iris, REC start/stop controls). The camera recorder’s lens system offers useful functions including Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) for smooth stable shooting and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), which helps compensate for wide variations in lighting.

Standard professional interfaces include an  HDMI output (AVCHD only), USB 2.0 (mini B-type), IEEE 1394 output (DV only), and a built-in stereo microphone. The camera also features two locking XLR inputs with switches for mic/line, two RCA audio outputs, and +48V Phantom Power capability.  The AG-AC130 records two channels of Dolby Digital in all modes.

The AG-AC130 offers useful solid-state recording functions including pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture. Additional features include waveform and vectorscope display, focus assists, auto focus with face detection, white balance, mode display, zebra display, colour bar, tally lamps, 4-position ND optical filter controls, slow shutter and synchro-scan shutter functions,  a multi-language menu, and three programmable user buttons.  A wireless remote is also included.

For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content by inserting the SD Card into Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface.

For easy HD viewing, the camera recorder is equipped with a widescreen 1,226,000-pixels LCOS colour viewfinder and a widescreen 921,000 pixels 8.8cm (3.45 inches) LCD colour monitor. Weighing approx. 2.3kg (5.1lb), the AAG-AC130 offer a well-balanced, ergonomic design.