Panasonic AGHPX170 1/3in 3 CCD P2 HD Handheld Camcorder
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Panasonic AG-HPX170 1/3" 3 CCD P2 HD Handheld Camcorder, 13x Optical Zoom, 3.5" LCD Screen, 1080i, 720p, 480i Recording, 4:2:2 Independent Frame Production Quality

SKU: PCAGHPX170

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

Elizabeth B : Why did you pick the HPX 170 over other cameras, like the Sony Z7? If anyone has worked with the Canon 5D MKII, how does the HPX 170 compare?MARCO C : I missed a "is not" on the following line: The Canon 5D has a lower price, but that is just the body; you need rigs to handle it, as it IS NOT a video camera...MARCO C : Hi Elissa, Well, the reasons for choosing the HPX170 depended on what we needed for, e.g corporate video, documentaries. The Canon 5D is a great camera, but there are some things on the field you will find a pain in the neck, doing with DSLR video... sound for instance, a good set of image analysis (vectorscopes, IRE), timecode, even camera motion ( You always find rolling shutter issues on your shots if you do dramatic moves on the 5D). The HPX170 is not a perfect camera that's for sure. The low light performance is not that good as it has an ISO500 equivalent, however if your are thinking cinematic, lighting is always a must. It is not full frame... Oh and P2 card is a bit expensive The Canon 5D has a lower price, but that is just the body; you need rigs to handle it as a video camera, at the end the investment is quite the same, specially if you add decent audio. To be honest with you, if you can, get the Panasonic AG AF101. Great camera, interchangeable lenses, all the good things of any video camera... AVCCAM is a good codec, but you have the capability to record 4:2:2 on a external device. This could go on and on. But at the end think of what you need and what you can afford. At the end we chose the HPX170 because what we needed was a video camera, with the tools to do our job. Kind RegardsKEN R : I purchased the HPX170 because I thought it would be a good camera for deposition video. This turned out to be wrong, as this camera does not give two video outputs both with the time/date stamp included, which is very important for doing a simultaneous backup. The SD/composite output does not include the time/date stamp. This was not made clear in the literature, and was very frustrating. That said, the camera is an excellent hi-quality HD camera, and I have been very satisfied with the Panasonic image quality in this and other cameras. This is also reflected in most online sources comparing their products to Sony and Canon. It is relatively easy to use, given the sophistication of the system; controls and menus are easy to understand, and there book that comes with is very helpful for more complicated issues. The lens is awesome with a wide zoom to tele range. The quality is good enough for TV commercial work. Drawbacks, other than described above: it is somewhat less light sensitive than my DVX100b; but that is an SD camera, and one can compensate by turning up the gain, which still comes out better looking than the DVX image. The other drawback is the P2 card/file recording system. The cards are very expensive, especially for high volume, long duration recording. I purchased two different external recording drives to solve this problem: an FS-100/250GB hard drive, and an AG HMR10 which records to SDHC cards in the AVCHD format. The latter is how I record depositions now. If I had to choose again, I would go with the Panasonic HMC150, which records to the AVCHD format (the format of the future, I believe), and which also has a composite SD signal output that includes the time/date. But, I have not compared either camera to the Sony camera you mentioned specifically. The big lesson: check the available features and recording formats very carefully before you buy. Hope this helps.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2010-04-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Seems like a great camera

I'm quite new to video and this was well above anything I have used before. I haven't had a proper chance to test it out but so far it looks great. The Barry Green book makes all the difference in learning the camera. If you are ammature like myself and want to take the next step I personnally think this camera will do the job and then some

Heath R.

2009-09-21T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

A great addition & worthy upgrade!

I just bought this to start up my freelance business, taking advantage of its versatility, compact size, and advanced performance over the HVX200. Within a week, I've already been able to have the camera make ME money by renting it out on my off time when I'm not playing with it and getting comfortable with it also. It's high in demand, and produces excellent images. It also came along with the Barry Green book, which is fantastic as I've been combing through it to discover the ins and outs of the camera I would have taken months to discover if at all. It also flags alot of the workarounds and limits that the camera may have, which is very rare to read in a book, but that information is invaluable, especially with his workarounds and suggestions. Overall, solid product, one of the best HD cameras out there in it's price range, and a very versatile camera.

Tony F.

About Panasonic AGHPX170 1/3in 3 CCD P2 HD Handheld Camcorder

The AG-HPX170 is an ultra-mobile P2 HD handheld camcorder featuring full, 4:2:2 independent frame production quality HD and solid-state recording. Based on the AG-HVX200 series, the lighter HPX170 is fully solid state (no DV mechanism), andcomes with a host of enhancements including a new 1/3" progressive 3-CCD imager system, wider Leica Dicomar 13X lens, an HD-SDI interface, metadata input and management, and a 5-year limited warranty (with registration).

Wide Choices in 1080i, 720p, 480i Recording:
The HPX170 has two P2 card slots and records in 20 HD and SD formats - from 1080i, 1080p, 720p to 480i. Its newly enhanced 1/3" progressive 16:9 3-CCD imager delivers an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, lower noise/smear, and exceptional low-light performance. High-end features like Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) which allows for better control over highlights and shadows in run and gunsituations.

The digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing assure high-quality recordings necessary for top-level production andbroadcast. Because the HPX170 scans the initial image at a 1080p/60 and all camera processing happens at his level. Because of this images maintain the highest quality possible up to the final conversion for compression and recording.

Wider Angle 13X Leica Dicomar Zoom Lens:
Utilizing a powerful 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens, the HPX170 offers a wide 28mm (35mm equivalent) viewing angle, covering most shooting situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens. It also features an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) function that ensures stable images during hand-held shooting.

Variable Frame Rates for Fast- or Slow-Motion Effects:
Like the HVX200A handheld, the HPX170 offers variable frame rate capability, providing professionals with the cinematic expression of higher-end cameras likethe Panasonic VariCam AJ-HDC27. Select from any of 20 steps, between 12 and 60,for undercranking/overcranking for fast or slow-motion effects.

Reliable Solid-State P2 Recording:
The HPX170 is ideal for professionals looking to take full advantage of the reliability and flexibility of the fast, file-based P2 workflow. P2 HD products have no moving parts, unlike tape, hard disk drive, or disc-based systems. It provides instant random access to recorded HD or SD content; and operates reliably in harsh environments, with resistance to temperature extremes, shock and vibration.

Using 32GB P2 cards in the HPX170's two card slots, you can record up to 160 minutes in full frame DVCPRO HD formats, 128 minutes in DVCPRO50, 256 minutes inDVCPRO. Recording times double with the use of a 64GB P2 card.

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What's in the box:

  • AJ-P2C0016RG 16GB P2 card
  • "The HVX and HPX Book" by Barry Green
  • 5400mA Battery (140 minutes)
  • AC Adapter/Battery Charger
  • Accessory Mic Holder
  • Component VideoCable with RCA-BNC Adapters
  • Remote Control
  • Shoulder Strap
  • Instruction Manual
  • Panasonic 5-year limited warranty (with registration)