Panasonic announces 2/3-Inch, 3-Chip AJ-PX5000G AVC-ULTRA P2 HD Shoulder-Mount with MicroP2 Card Slots, AVC-LongG

* Class200 Option Delivers Master Quality Recording for Network-Level Program Creation,
Film Outs and Large Screen Display*

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 20, 2013) -- Panasonic today announced the AJ-PX5000G, its first P2 HD camcorder with native AVC-ULTRA recording and built-in microP2 card slots. The 2/3-inch, 2.2M 3-MOS camera combines superb image production, light weight and innovative expandability. The PX5000 features 720p and 1080p/i recording, and is the first P2 camcorder that will record in full-resolution, 10-bit 1080/60p (in AVC-Intra100). AVC-LongG is standard.

The PX5000G will offer optional AVC-Intra200 recording, which at twice the bit rate per frame of AVC-Intra100 is virtually lossless, delivering a master quality codec in an affordable, file-based shoulder-mount camera. High-resolution AVC-Proxy recording is likewise an option.

With its breadth of recording options, ultimate image quality, variety of professional I/Os and powerful expandability, the PX5000G will address niches in network news, documentary, high-end corporate and sports production, as well as the rental market.

“With AVC-ULTRA recording, terrific image quality and a variety of cutting-edge, selectable options, the PX5000G is Panasonic’s best-ever shoulder-mount,” said Steve Cooperman, Product Manager, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “The camcorder is absolutely customer-driven, with 1080i appealing to broadcasters, 720p ideal for news and sports, and, now for the first time in P2, 1080/60p for higher frame rate, higher-resolution recording.”

“Outfitting the PX5000G with the AVC-Intra200 option will yield a cost-effective approach to network-level program acquisition, film-outs and higher levels of color correction, he added. “And recording prime programming in AVC-Intra200 today will facilitate up-rezzing to higher-level formats in the future.”

The PX5000G’s three 2.2M pixel MOS sensors deliver a horizontal resolution of 1000 TV lines, and sensitivity of F12 over 60i.The camcorder’s 2/3-inch shoulder-type design accommodates a variety of interchangeable lenses. The PX5000G can record in AVC-LongG and AVC-Intra100/50, with optional recording in DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV; the unit is 50 Hz and 59.94 Hz switchable for worldwide use.

Panasonic’s AVC-ULTRA offers master-quality and/or low-bit-rate 10-bit, 4:2:2 recording in Full HD to meet a variety of user needs from mastering to transmission. AVC-LongG, designed for applications where file size is critical, offers up to 10-bit, 4:2:2 sampled recording in a much smaller file size, saving storage cost and transfer times over MPEG-2 while maintaining equal or better video quality. The PX5000G incorporates a selection of AVC-LongG quality levels, including AVC-LongG50 (10-bit, 4:2:2) and AVC-LongG25 (4:2:2, 10-bit).

Addressing the need for high-speed file exchange, AVC-Proxy encodes, optional in the PX5000G, are made in parallel with higher bandwidth production formats. AVC-Proxy enables fast, efficient offline editing, at bit-rates from 3.5 megabits down to 800 kilobits per second.

Like the current AG-HPX600, the PX5000G is “future-proofed” to provide inventive functionality and improved workflows, with additional options such as wireless metadata input. The PX5000G features wireless and wired connection ability with Wi-Fi, USB and Gigabit Ethernet, including wireless control of key camera functions from a smart phone. In addition, an option will support operational integration with live video uplink transmitter devices from partners, LiveU, AVIWEST, Streambox and TVU Networks.

Weighing just over eight pounds, the PX5000G is the first P2 HD camcorder with built-in slots for the company’s new microP2 cards, which have an SD card from factor (see separate news release). The PX5000G has two microP2 slots and two standard P2 card slots,* as well as an SD card slot for proxy/metadata recording.

The camcorder will be equipped with Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) to maximize lens performance; Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) function to help compensate for wide variations in lighting; and a highly accurate flash band detection and compensation algorithm that minimizes this effect. The PX5000G delivers seven-mode gamma selection and extensive digital image settings.

Innovative features include a smart user interface that permits accessibility to the camera’s extensive functions from an LCD display on the side of the camera; a 16:9, 3.5-inch, 920,000-dot resolution LCD color viewfinder, which doubles as a LCD monitor when open; a simplified waveform and vectorscope; a 10-pin remote terminal enabling remote camera operation; and an optional camera studio system.

Professional interfaces include MON out (can be set to output HD-SDI), HDMI out, HD/SD-SDI in/out, 3G-SDI out, genlock in for multi-camera operation, timecode in/out, USB 3.0 (host) and a two-channel UniSlot compatible wireless receiver. The PX5000 has two XLR audio inputs, and records up to four channels of 48kHz, 24-bit audio in AVC-Intra formats (16-bit in AVC-LongG, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO and DV).

Standard features include Scan Reverse for use with a cinema lens adaptor; Digital Zoom function for 2x and 4x close-ups; Variable Shutter Speed from 1/12 to 1/2000 sec plus Synchro Scan; and a four-position (CLEAR, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, 1/64 ND) optical neutral density filter wheel.

The PX5000G will be available this fall, with a suggested list price of under $28,000 in USA.

*The PX5000G does not support spanned recording between the microP2 and standard P2 cards slots.

Please refer to " AJ-PX5000G brochure (Preliminary) " for details.