I worked for years with a Panasonic HVX200, a very popular, compact HD camcorder from Panasonic that also shot DV. That camera was a workhorse that I enjoyed using (especially on documentaries) so when Panasonic introduced the more fully-featured HPX300 in 2009 it was natural and easy for me to upgrade.
The HPX300 has some great features:
- Native 1920×1080 CMOS sensor
- Awesome AVC-Intra codec
- SDI outputs and real timecode functionality
- Solid construction, comfortable form factor
- Fine controls to manipulate image looks
With the HPX300 I still have the option to shoot the older DVCPRO-HD codec, but there’s not much point if the post facility can handle the newer, cleaner AVC-Intra codec. AVC-Intra really shines on projects with chroma-key work.
Of course the HPX300 supports the variable frame rates pioneered in the Varicam so slow-motion and time-lapse shots are still available in 720p HD. Surprisingly Panasonic has also maintained support for standard definition image acquisition and the camera can shoot 480i like the older HVX200 too.
The camera records digital files to Panasonic P2 cards, of which I currently have 192GB worth, accommodating over three hours of uninterrupted HD capture. P2 Media can be hot-swapped and transferred to conventional hard drives quickly so it’s easy to shoot all day without ever stopping the recording.