An early review Panasonic AG-AF100 Camcorder:
The AG-AF1oo is the camcorder the low budget indie filmmaker has been dreaming of since 24p video came to be. It is a true filmmakers camera. The AF100 shoots in variable frame rates in 1080p while providing beautiful shallow depth via it’s 4/3″ imaging sensor at a price point under $5000. Unfortunately, there has not been to much information to make a proper review of the AG-AF100 as of the this writing, but with what’s been laid out so far looks very promising.
In the past few years filmmakers in this budget range have been using DSLR cameras like the Cannon 5d, Cannon 7D, and the Panasonic DMC-GH1 to record high definition video with a shallow depth of field. The DSLR filmmakers have been plague by the lack of features they are accustomed to in a traditional camcorder. These missing features included professional XLR audio inputs, an eye piece, audio gain control, phantom powering, focus assists, etc. Panasonic has answered these problems and more with the AG-AF100.
My initial REVIEW of the specs of the agaf100 as outlined in the Press Release below is WOW! There is a ton of great features packed in to this little gem, and I can’t wait to get out there an shoot with it!
Now, if your like me you waiting with baited breath waiting for it to hit the streets, but in the mean time check out the specs and some videos about this awesome camera the af100.
PRESS RELEASE:
Panasonic Announced a December Delivery, Pricing For AG-AF100 4/3″ Professional High-Definition Camcorder
Best-in-Class 4/3” Sensor Delivers Depth of Field and Field of View Similar to that of 35mm Movie Camera; Camcorder Uses Low-Cost Still Camera and Film-Style Lenses
SECAUCUS, N.J.—Panasonic Solutions Company today announced that the AG-AF100, the industry’s first professional micro 4/3-inch video camcorder optimized for high-definition video recording, will start shipping on December 27th at a suggested list price of $4,995. Highly anticipated since its introduction at NAB earlier this year, the AF100 is poised to set new benchmarks in digital cinematography.
Targeted at the video and film production communities, the AF100 delivers the shallow depth of field and wider field of view of a large imager, with the flexibility and cost advantages of a growing line of professional quality, industry-standard micro 4/3-inch lenses, filters, and adapters. The full HD 1080 and 720 production camera offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, and compatibility with SDHC and SDXC media.
“The design of the AF100’s best-in-class 4/3-inch sensor affords depth of field and field of view similar to that of 35mm movie cameras in a more affordable camera body,” said Jan Crittenden Livingston, Product Line Business Manager, Panasonic Solutions Company. “What’s more, Panasonic engineering ingenuity has resolved the aliasing and moiré that has haunted the DSLR shooter. Indeed, the proof of concept of the AF100 was based on what we heard from and saw customers doing: purchasing DSLR cameras because they liked the look of the image, but then agonized over all of the workarounds required to come out with an acceptable high definition recording.”
The AF100 incorporates a large 4/3-inch,16:9 MOS imager that minimizes skew with fast imager scanning, and incorporates low pass filters for elimination of aliasing and moiré. Additionally, it has a built-in optical ND filter. The camcorder records 1080 at 60i, 50i, 30P, 25P (Native) and 24P (Native), and 720 at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p native,in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). The AF100 also records in AVCCAM’s HA (17 Mbps) and HE (6Mbps) modes, 1080i only. Ready for global production standards, the camcorder is 60Hz and 50Hz switchable. Equipped with an interchangeable micro 4/3-inch lens mount, the AF100 can utilize an array of low-cost, widely-available still camera lenses as well as film-style lenses with fixed focal lengths and primes.
Variable frame rates are available in 1080p, selectable in 20 steps from 12p to 60p at 60Hz and 20 steps from 12p to 50p at 50Hz. Standard professional interfaces include uncompressed 4:2:2, 8 Bit HD-SDI out; HDMI out; and USB 2.0. It records SMPTE timecode and is able to perform timecode synchronizing via the video output seeing timecode in. It has a built-in stereo microphone and features two mic/line, switchable XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability. The camera can record 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording (in PH mode only) and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3 in any of the modes.
This newest Panasonic AVCCAM camcorder is the first to enjoy the benefits of advanced SDXC media card compatibility in addition to 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 AF100 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode, with automatic clip spanning across the two cards.
Weighing only 3.5 pounds (without lens or battery), the AF100 is packed with high-end features including Dynamic Range Stretch in all modes and frame rates; six built-in, customizable scene files that are exchangeable for quick and easy matching between multiple cameras; seven built-in gamma curves with four selectable color matrices; Syncro-scan shutter; and a high-resolution LCD and viewfinder.
It also offers a focus assist that can be used while recording, which is color-on peaking and a focus bar; two sets of adjustable zebras; two manual black and white balance choices, and preset White Balance at 3200K, 5600K or variable; a waveform monitor and vectorscope for more accurate monitoring of broadcast safe levels. Other essential features include pre-record; an intervalometer function that can be set for up to 24 hours, programmable User Buttons; a Smart Battery interface for recording up to four hours with a 5400mA battery; metadata recording; and a wireless infrared remote controller.
Panasonic will support the AF100 with a three-year limited warranty (one year plus two extra years upon registration).
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I anticipate the AF100 will indeed be a game changer. Many of the best features from DSLR’s and Camcorders, at a sub-$5K price. But why so cheap? HPX170′s still run $8K??? The answer is simple – NO GLASS. Let’s face it, the amount of MFT lenses available for rental anywhere is quite limited indeed. I guess I’m licky in that regard – I already have OLYMPUS and LUMIX MFT lenses in stock, even prior to the AF100 release. Pro-active one might say. Not a OLY/LUM lens fan? Do not worry, I also have the NIKON to MFT and CARL ZEISS CY to MFT adapters in stock – right now. About 50 lenses to pick from as well. Ask SEAN for more details.