Panasonic Pro AG-DVX100B 3-CCD MiniDV Proline Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Other products by Panasonic

Product Details

• Item Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BYJFYW
• Item model number: AG-DVX100B
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,471 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Professional Camcorders
  #24 in	Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Digital MiniDV

• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 12, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Already used for film and TV program production as well as news gathering, Panasonic's DVX100 series has now evolved further with the AG-DVX100B. The AG-DVX100B debuts as the industry's first DV camera-recorder to allow camera-to-camera time-code synchro and user-settable file transfer. This allows the AG-DVX100B to be used for simultaneous multi-camera recording techniques often used in video production. Additionally, the new model offers remote focus and iris control for easier operation when mounted on a jib arm or tripod. The Black Sapphire AG-DVX100B offers the acclaimed performance and multiple functions of previous high-end DV camera-recorders models. In addition to superior image quality, high sensitivity, 24P/30P Cinema mode, and manual operation, it has the specifications needed for full-fledged professional video production.

Lightweight design with balanced grip
The AG-DVX100B introduces a new design that ends the contradiction between a compact, lightweight body and a stable, secure hold. The center of balance is located precisely at the handgrip. Because there's no need for a wide-angle conversion lens, the weight balance is ideal for comfortable shooting. The AG-DVX100B's short body and light weight — it weighs only 4.189 lb (1.9Kg) in operating condition* — means free, easy maneuverability. Plus, the low-center-of-gravity design and new skeleton lens hood greatly improve forward vision. *Camera-recorder with DV cassette tape and supplied battery.

New AG-DVX100B functions (compared with the AG-DVX100A)
Allows synchronous setting of time-code values in multiple cameras User-settable files can be copied from camera to camera Remote control of focus and iris (wired) EVF and LCD can display images in 16:9 letter-box format

Superior image rendering with the Leica Dicomar lens, plus OIS
The Leica Dicomar lens featured in the AG-DVX100B incorporates Leica optical technology and know-how. Use of low-dispersion glass reduces color aberration and increases resolution, while a multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting. The results are sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered images with delicate nuances and exceptional shading. The lens system features 15 lens elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical lenses. Panasonic's advanced OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) drastically cuts the blurring caused by hand shake. Optical processing with an automatic correction function helps assure consistently clear, sharp images.

410,000-Pixel, 3CCD image system provides f11 sensitivity for superior image quality
Panasonic designed the AG-DVX100B to deliver the highest sensitivity and picture quality in its class. At its heart is a 3CCD RGB system comprising three 1/3-inch, 410,000-pixel progressive CCDs developed especially for broadcast and professional applications. The new on-chip lens design achieves high F11 sensitivity, allowing the AG-DVX100B to record in light as dim as below three lux, for example, in nighttime news gathering. Picture quality is outstanding, with a high S/N ratio that means less noise in darker parts of the image and low smear that allows shooting in sunlight or under bright spotlights.

High-sensitivity slow shutter (in cumulative) function
The slow shutter function uses image accumulation to enable shutter speeds with frame rates reduced by half or more. You get the ultra-high sensitivity needed for nighttime shooting without illumination, as well as dramatic frame-by-frame or soft-focus effects.

High image quality with 12-Bit A/D conversion
The AG-DVX100B features an A/D converter that uses the same 12-bit processing as broadcast camera-recorders. Precisely digitizing the gradation and colors captured by the progressive CCD, this A/D converter supports gamma switching and other fine downstream image adjustments--one of the keys to achieving rich image expression.

RGB gamma processor provides rich, cine-like tones
Panasonic has greatly expanded the expressive capability of the DV camera by creating unique gamma functions such as Cine-Like gamma curves, which produce images strikingly similar in tone to film images. For each of the RGB signals, the gamma curve settings are processed immediately upstream from the digital signal processing circuit. This helps achieve outstanding image quality.

The AG-DVX100B continues with the tradition of the seven gamma curves pioneered with the DVX100A.

High-quality, native progressive 24p/30p mode
Choose from three shooting modes: 24p (24 frames per second (fps), progressive) for images with the look and motion of film movies, 30p (30 fps, progressive), or standard 60i (60 fps, interlace). Thanks to its progressive CCD, the AG-DVX100B creates native progressive images with outstanding vertical resolution--unlike images produced using conventional electronic interpolation. With its high mobility and low costs, the AG-DVX100B is the ideal tool for producing indies, shorts, or streaming video.

24p Advance Mode--for 24p non-linear editing
In 24p mode, images from the CCD can be 2:3 pulldown-converted (24p Mode) or 2:3:3:2 pulldown-converted (24p Advance Mode) and recorded onto tape in the standard 60i TV format. The tape can then be played back or edited using an ordinary DV system. True 24p editing can be achieved by uploading 2:3:3:2 pulldown-converted images via an IEEE 1394 DV interface to a compatible non-linear editing system.* The 24p Advance Mode allows 60i/24p conversion with minimal picture degradation and on the fly 24 frame extraction.

*Systems compatible with 24PA as of June 2005: Apple Power Mac G4/G5 with FCP 4, Avid Xpress Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sonic Solutions Vegas

Improved color reproduction and advanced image adjustments built-in

• Optimized color separation optics help provide true-to-life colors
  
• "Enriched" matrix setting offers more saturated colors
  
• Adjustable V detail level (edge correction in vertical direction), H/V detail balance, and detail coring (detail noise removal)
  
• Knee point (luminance compression) settings
  
• Auto, Low, Mid and High 24p/30p shooting functions for professionals
  
• Focus assist*
  
• Gain up (+12 dB max.)
  
• SMPTE color bar display and output
  

*Autofocus in 24p/30p mode requires slightly more focusing time than in 60i mode.

Wide-angle/zoom lens answers professional needs
The AG-DVX100B's zoom lens extends all the way to 4.5 millimeters (equivalent to 32.5mm on a 35mm lens), covering the full wide-angle range needed in most broadcast and professional shooting. It gives you ample range for close-ups, recording in small rooms, and self-recorded interviews. There's no need to carry around a bulky wide-angle conversion lens. And with a minimum object distance (MOD) of approximately 0.6 meter (1.9 feet) in telephoto mode, the AG-DVX100B has the maneuverability of a handheld camera.

Execute fast, precise manual zooms

Fast, smooth cam-driven manual zoom
The cam-driven (mechanical) manual zoom ring provides the same smooth, easy zooming as cameras with interchangeable lenses. Its direct operation gives you fast, precise zooming control. You'll also notice the AG-DVX100B's improved operating feel. When you turn the zoom ring, you experience the familiar steady resistance as with familiar 35mm lenses.

The AG-DVX100B is also equipped with a servo-driven zoom that allows slow zooming. Slowest zoom has been reduced to a dramatic 30 seconds from 20 seconds.

Focus assist

Enjoy quick, sharp focusing manually or automatically. In manual mode, the focus ring provides the similar operating feel and responsive control as conventional cameras with interchangeable lenses. In auto mode, you get the quick, sharp focusing needed in news gathering or when shooting at a high or low angle.

When set to infinity, the focal distance is immediately prepared for the next manual focus. When in manual mode, pressing the Push Auto button temporarily activates auto focus.

Macro focus can be achieved either manually or automatically when the zoom lens is in the wide angle position.

What's in the box
Camera, eye cup, lens hood, lens cap, lens cap strap, microphone holder, shoulder strap, AC adapter, AC cable, DC cable, battery, wireless remote control unit, Master Series tape

Product Description

1/3" 3-CCD 24P/30P/60i DV Cinema Camera with CineSwitchTM Technology, CineGammaTM Software and IEEE 1394 Interface

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great video camera, November 4, 2006

By	Matthew Sutton (washington dc) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was torn between Sony and Panasonic (the Canons seemed to have many recurring complaints especially with the decks), and after reading several reviews became gradually partial to the Panasonic, before ever having used one, based on customer loyalty and consistently glowing testimonials.

Well I've never used the comparable Sony's, JVC's, or the Canon XL2 (some limited experience with the GL2), but as best I can tell without personal comparison this camera does in fact deserve all the great reviews.

The image quality is excellent and in many cases looks about as good as broadcast TV video (nonHD), and the camera allows a tremendous amount of image control--manual focus ring, aperture (iris), gain adjustment, shutter speed, zebra control for overexposure, white AND black balance adjusting, daylight filters, etc. The electronic viewfinder can even be focused via simple diopter. There are six preprogrammed, but customizable, settings for image control so the user can simply dial in whatever setting they need based on the shooting/lighting conditions. So, for example, you shoot occasionally under weak flourescents lights--you adjust the white balance and the gain and the detail level accordingly, save it as a particular "scene file"; whenever you return to that same location or a similar shooting environment, you can click over to the saved settings in an instant and start recording. The first four are factory set for video 60 frames; the last two are 24 fps for a more film-like quality, which this camera handles beautifully.

What actually sold me on the camera, in terms of hardware, were the two XLR jacks--comparably priced models didn't seem to offer this. The XLR jacks allow the user to attach professional shotgun mics and bypass the mediocre factory one, taking fuller advantage of 16bit 48khz stereo recording. I use a fairly inexpensive AZDEN mic and the improvement in sound quality is tremendous. If you were willing to invest in finer mics the audio quality would be better still. Having two XLR inputs means that in addition to recording live audio (like a mic) you can also mix in input from another pre-recorded source--all in the camera!

The lens by Leica is also impressive--it is a bit wide and is not interchangeable (although I believe there is an adaptive telephoto for $$$). I prefer shooting wide but if you have need a wide selection of lenses or don't enjoy the look of wide angle look to Canon.

The drawbacks are minor--the camera is rather cumbersome--and would certainly be tiresome for handheld use as it isn't designed for shoulder-mounted use. I shoot almost exclusively indoors with a tripod and so neither of these issues are relevant for me. Also irrelevant for me are reviews I've read which have indicated lackluster battery performance--again shooting indoors I always have it plugged in and thus haven't noticed any battery problems. The little menu joystick control button used to toggle the menu screens, as well as the VCR playback options, can be frustrating when you're tired, but that is an extremely trivial concern really.

This camera is expensive, even in the $1500+ prosumer class it tends more to professional range, but I feel it is a great value considering what a fine piece of equipment it is and the wealth of features it offers. It is much much more than enough camera for the consumer and probably a little more than I need actually--I've used mine for a few months and I'm still learning how to wring better and better shooting from it. Once you've used it for a while it becomes clear why this particular model maintains a devoted following. If I have to replace this camera--provided I can afford to--the next camera would definitely be a Panasonic and probably be its big HD brother the HVX.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in Class, June 26, 2006

By	The Footclan "RamboNITES" (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

The DVX 100b is cheaper than the XL2 but you get more features. Aside from the compact and built in XLR ports, you get an optional flip out view finder which the XL2 doesn't offer. If you are looking for a non HD camera i would suggest going with a camera that has an optional 24p because you'll be getting your money's worth and it is a awesome feature to have...

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camera and image quality, May 25, 2006

By	J. Knowles (Van Nuys, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Lit and shot properly, the footage from this camera in 24P mode can come very close to 16mm film. This is a fantastic camera for the price, and this new B model has worked out a lot of the kinks from the earlier models. For those of you looking at the XL2, it's true this camera does not have an interchangeable lens (although wide-angle and telephoto adapters are available) but the camera feels more compact and robust, with more features (like XLR) built right into the camera body vs. external attachments.