Features
The Panasonic AG-HMC40 is a camcorder designed to record in high definition on standard Secure Digital (SD) and SDHC memory cards. Thecamera is extremely portable and lightweight, weighing in at just over 2 lbs. While SD-based camcorders have been gaining ground in the consumer market,the AG-HMC40 has the ability to record AVCHD images at significantly higher bitrates. This enhancement makes the camera's codec more efficient thancomparable HD interframe codecs, such as HDV and XDCAM EX. Using H.264 as its compression algorithm the camera can record incredibly detailed images at afraction of the file size. The handle is detachable and can hold an optional XLR audio system.
Note!XLR option not included.
- 3MOS Sensor Technology
- The progressive 3MOS image sensors record full HD images with an effective motion-picture resolution of 2.51MP. This produces full-raster HD imageswith high resolution and superb image quality. Because each of the three separate image sensors receives one of the three primary colors of light(red, green and blue), they render more precise images and more faithful colors than the single light-receiving 1MOS sensor.
- Sharp Rendering
- With a lens that features 13 elements in 10 groups, the newly developed Leica Dicomar is ideal for full HD recording. The new lens system useslow-dispersion glass and aspherical lenses to reduce color aberration and boost resolution. Use of a special multi-coating process dramaticallyreduces flare and ghosts. The result is a sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered picture with vivid colors, delicate nuances, and exceptional shading.
- 120x Digital Zoom
- Even at the 490mm zoom setting (35mm lens equivalent), this advanced 12x optical zoom lens is free of image degradation. Additionally, the AG-HMC40is equipped with a digital zoom that instantly magnifies the image by any of three fixed values: 2x, 5x or 10x. Use it together with the 12xoptical zoom lens and you get super magnification equivalent to a 120x zoom, without the drop in light intensity that happens when using a lensextender.
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Because the hand-shake correction is done by actually driving the lens, there's none of the image degradation that occurs with electronicstabilization. You can capture beautiful, high-quality shots even in situations where hand shake is typically a big problem such as when zooming,shooting indoors in dim lighting, or shooting outdoors at night.
- Dynamic Range Stretch
- A gamma curve and knee slope are estimated to match the contrast of each pixel and applied in real time. When dark, bright, and intermediate shadesare all contained in the same scene, this produces excellent gradation for each shade and minimizes blocked shadows and blown highlights. Theimages that result are enhanced by a visually wider dynamic range.
- High-quality 10.6MP Digital Stills
- The new 3MOS sensors also combine with Panasonic's proprietary Quad-Density Pixel Distribution technology to achieve a resolution that isequivalent to 4 times the normal level. The AG-HMC40 captures still images with approx. 10.6-megapixel resolution (in still image mode, 3:2 aspectratio), which approaches the level of a high-performance digital still camera. For example, you can use it to shoot both motion and still imagesfor a website.
- Cine-Like Gamma Curves
- Drawing on technologies developed for the VariCam HD camcorders for digital cinema, Panasonic has equipped the AG-HMC40 with advanced gammafunctions that address seven different shooting scenarios and enhance your creative abilities. This includes the cine-like gamma, which producesthe characteristic warm tone of film recordings.
- Exceptional AVCHD Image Quality
- The AG-HMC40 features the image-enhancing PH mode that Panasonic developed exclusively for AVCCAM camcorders. It delivers a maximum AVCHD bit rateof 24 Mbps (average: 21 Mbps). Designed for professional image production, this mode lets you record 1080/30p, 1080/24p and 720 progressive imagesin addition to 1080/60i from the AG-HMC40's 1920 x 1080 full-raster HD images.
- Reliable Media
- Unlike with videotape, there's no need for cueing with the SDHC memory card because recording automatically begins in a blank section of memory.Nor do you have to worry about accidentally recording over important footage. You can delete unwanted clips instantly right on the spot to preservememory capacity. Editing after shooting is smooth and easy, with no need for digitizing. The tiny SDHC Memory Card is durable, too. Its operatingrange is from -13-185F, so you can stop worrying about harsh temperatures or condensation while never having to deal with dropouts or cloggedheads.
- Shot Mark
- To simplify shot selection, you can add a mark to the thumbnail images of each clip. You can then display and play only the clips that have shotmarks.
- Pre-Record Function
- This helps to ensure you always get the shot you want, by letting you continuously store, and subsequently record, images and sounds for threeseconds before the REC button is pressed in standby mode.
- Fast On-Screen Clip Searching
- Image data is recorded as a file for each scene. Thumbnail images and file information are automatically attached to each file to enable smooth,easy confirmation and deletion of files displayed on the LCD monitor.
- Easy On-Screen Touchpad
- The 2.7", 230,000-dot (approx.) LCD monitor is especially convenient when shooting wide-screen images. Just use a finger on the touch panel screento start playback, make menu settings, and even focus the camera. You can rotate the LCD monitor 270 for easier viewing when shooting low-angle orother difficult shots. This lets you check the framing and parameter display on the LCD monitor as you shoot.
- HD Focus Assist
- There are multiple focus assist functions on the AG-HMC40, including both the standard center zoom, as well as a focus bar. Additional focusassists include a face "detection" which "recognizes" faces near the center of the screen and focuses on them.
- Manual Focus Ring
- The manual focus ring can be used to control the iris too, by switching the Focus Ring (Focus/Iris) selector. Use it whichever way best fits theshooting situation. For example, you can set the camera to Auto Focus and use the manual focus ring to control the zooming. You can also addbacklight correction or spotlight correction to the auto aperture function.
- Waveform Monitor Display
- A horizontal analysis of the input signal's brightness level can be displayed on the monitor. This lets you adjust the standard black and whitelevels while checking the Waveform Monitor (WFM), making it easy to get highly accurate adjustments.
- Interval Recording
- You can make automatic, intermittent recordings at set intervals from one frame per second to one frame every two minutes. For example, useInterval REC to record operations at a construction site, to shoot sunsets, or to capture time-lapse recordings of growing plants.
- Slow Shutter and Syncro Scan
- The slow shutter function uses image accumulation to allow shutter speeds with frame rates reduced by half or more. The accumulation methodprovides bright-color images with less noise than those captured using conventional gain-up, so you get the higher sensitivity needed for nighttimeshooting without illumination. And the Synchro Scan function is ideal for capturing images on monitors.
- Optional XLR Adapter Available
- The AG-HMC40 comes equipped with a built-in stereo microphone and a 3.5mm EXT, mic-in jack. Adding the optional AG-MYA30G XLR adapter providescompatibility with professional-use XLR terminals for audio output from microphones and Public Audio (PA) systems in studios and auditoriums. Linerecording and +48V Phantom powered microphone recordings are possible from the XLR terminals. Featuring two XLR audio input terminals and levelcontrols, the adapter lets you independently switch ch 1 or ch 2 to microphone or line input, with each having its own level adjustment. (Input 2can be assigned to both ch 1 and ch 2.)
- SD Downconversion
- The AG-HMC40 is equipped with both component (Mini D4) video outputs and AV output (AV multi terminals), allowing HD images to be down-convertedand output as SD images while they are being recorded or played. At the same time, a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio can be selected for side crop,letterbox, or squeeze images. Audio output (AV multi terminals 2 channels) enables a wide variety of applications, such as viewing on an externalmonitor or SD dubbing.
- HDMI
- The AG-HMC40 is equipped with an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output terminal for digital transferring of high-quality HD video andaudio signals.
- Tilt-up Viewfinder
- The viewfinder can be tilted upward about 70 and the large eyecup is excellent for blocking out light from the sun and other sources.
- REC Check
- You can check the end of the most recently recorded clip with one-touch ease.
- Last Clip Delete Function
- Only the most recently recorded clip is deleted with this one-touch function, adding practical convenience to everyday operation. It can beassigned as a User button function if desired.
- Record Meta Data
- The date, camera operator, location, title and other information can be added to the video data.
Item Includes
Panasonic AG-HMC40 AVCCAM HD Camcorder
- AC Adapter/Charger
- 2640 mAh Battery Pack
- AC Cable
- DC Cable
- Wireless Remote Controller
- Eye Cup
- Shoulder Belt
- Component Video Cable
- AV Cable
- PIN-BNC Conversion Plug
- Handle
- Touch Pad
- CD-ROM
- AVCCAM Restorer
- 1-Year Warranty
