Panasonic AG-HMC40: Enterprising pro AVCHD camcorder

By Lori Grunin on 21 April 2009, 10:44am

Panasonic has added the AG-HMC40 to its SD-card-based AVCCAM series -- not to be confused with its P2-card-based and seriously more expensive P2 HD series. You can tell the difference because the AG-HMC40 looks like the Enterprise. The AG-HMC40 joins the AG-HMC150 and shoulder-mounted AG-HMC70 in the ranks of Panasonic's pro AVCHD camcorders.

Smaller and lighter than either of its line mates, and with a much simpler design, the AG-HMC40 is also the first in the line to include a trio of 'Full HD', 1080p-resolution 1/4.1-inch 3MOS sensors, rather than CCDs. It incorporates a 12x zoom lens of as-yet-unknown focal-length range and can shoot 10.6-megapixel stills (obviously interpolated, since none of the sensors are that high resolution).

Like its brethren, the AG-HMC40 will support up to 21Mbps recording in a range of high-definition formats, including 1080p and 720p at 60i, 30p and 24p frame rates. Pro connections include a removable XLR mic input. Interestingly, the camcorder also has consumer-type features, like a touchscreen, face-detection autofocus and pre-record.

The AG-HMC40 is slated to ship in August for around $3,200 (£2,200). UK availability and pricing have yet to be announced.