Panasonic Introduces AG-DVX100 Mini-DV 3-CCD Camcorder

[J.A.F._Doorhof]

Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company has reported the availability and pricing for its breakthrough AG-DVX100, a unique mini-DV 3-CCD camcorder with exclusive CineSwitch technology that supports 480i/60 (NTSC), cinema-style 480p/24fps and 480p/30fps image capture. The AG-DVX100 will be available on Oct. 10th for $3,795 SLP.

"The AG-DVX100 completely re-defines the mini-DV camera, because it leaps ahead of the competition. This camcorder offers entirely new features and price performance levels," said Stuart English, vice president, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. "The AG-DVX100 is carefully engineered to give today's shooters what they desire: a single camcorder that captures in 60i to acquire standard video projects and in 24p to add the 'look and feel' of film to their productions."

To acquire stunning digital pictures, the AG-DVX100 is equipped with newly-developed 1/3" progressive-scan 410,000-pixel 3-CCD imagers to deliver more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution (a 25 percent picture quality improvement over analog), low smear and flare, a low light performance of 3 lux (at +18dB) and a high sensitivity of f 11 at 2000 lux. The native progressive CCDs eliminate interlace artifacts including horizontal jaggies and motion-edge tearing.

The well-balanced, ergonomically-designed camcorder features a precision wide-angle zoom lens (4.5mm to 45mm with a 56-degree viewing angle) and a host of manual controls to make subtle picture adjustments. The wide-angle lens allows a shooter to be "one step closer" to the action without the added expense, weight, distortion and inconvenience of an add-on adapter. Manual controls include Servo/Manual Zoom, Auto/Manual Focus (at f 1.6) with 72mm filter size, and Auto/Manual iris. The ultra-compact 4.2-pound camcorder can capture pictures in the conventional 4:3 aspect ratio and 16:9 aspect ratio letterbox modes. Its advanced optical image stabilization delivers superb picture quality and minimizes jitter, so hand-held shots and video taken from moving vehicles appear smooth and steady.