| |
Model
|
| Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| Picture ? | | | | Picture ? |
| Manufacturer | Panasonic 
| Panasonic
| Canon
| Manufacturer |
| Name | AG-AC160 | AG-HPX250 | XF300 | Name |
| European name ? | AG-AC160 | AG-HPX250EJ | XF300E | European name ? |
| US name ? | AG-AC160 | AG-HPX250 | XF300 | US name ? |
| lowest US price | (4748) $ | (5938) $ | 6499 $ | lowest US price |
| On the market since | October 2011 | October 2011 | July 2010 | On the market since |
| Manufacturers URL | | | link to Canon | Manufacturers URL |
|
|
Test preview
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
 | Very good
| Very good
| slashCAM rating ? |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode |
Video
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| Video formats ? | MiniDV
AVCHD
| MiniDV
DVC PRO 50
DVC PRO HD
AVC-Intra
| MPEG2 - MXF
| Video formats ? |
| Recording Medium | SD Card
SDHC card
SDXC card
| P2 card
| Compact Flash
| Recording Medium |
| video resolutions EU ? | AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/25p
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/24p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/60p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/50p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/30p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/25p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/24p
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/30p
| DVC PRO 25,576 / 50i
DVC PRO 50,576 / 50i
DVCPROHD 1080/25p
DVCPROHD 1080/50i
DVCPROHD 1080/24p
DVCPROHD 1080/30p
DVCPROHD 1080/60i
AVC-Intra 1920 x 1080/60i
AVC-Intra 1920 x 1080/30p
AVC-Intra 1920 x 1080/24p
AVC-Intra 1920 x 1080/50i
AVC-Intra 1920 x 1080/25p
| MPEG2 1920x1080 50i
MPEG2 720p12 -50
MPEG2-1080p12 25
| video resolutions EU ? |
| video resolutions US ? | | | MPEG2 1920 x 1080/60i
MPEG2-720p12 60
MPEG2 1080p12-30
| video resolutions US ? |
| Max Bitrate ? | 24 Mbit/s | 100 Mbit/s | 50 Mbit/s | Max Bitrate ? |
| Compression format ? | DV
MPEG4
| DV
DVC PRO HD-proprietary
AVC-Intra
| MPEG2 MXF
| Compression format ? |
| on-board memory ? | | | | on-board memory ? |
| Optics |
| Optics Manufacturer ? | Panasonic
| Panasonic
| Canon
| Optics Manufacturer ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | 21 x | 22 x | 18 x | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle 16:9 ? | 28 mm | 28 mm | 29,3 mm | Wide Angle 16:9 ? |
| Filter diameter ? | 72 mm | 72 mm | 82 mm | Filter diameter ? |
| Image Stabilization ? | optical
| optical
| optically and electronically
| Image Stabilization ? |
| ND Filter ? | 3 | 3 | 3 | ND Filter ? |
| Exchangable optics ? | No
| No
| No
| Exchangable optics ? |
| Image Sensor |
| Number of sensors ? | 3 | 3 | 3 | Number of sensors ? |
| Size of image sensor ? | 1/3 inch | 1/3 inch | 1/3 inch | Size of image sensor ? |
| image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? | 2200000 Pixel | 2073600 Pixel | 2070000 Pixel | image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? |
| Image Sensor Type ? | CMOS
| CMOS
| CMOS
| Image Sensor Type ? |
| Controls |
| White Balance ? | auto
manual
presets
| auto
manual
presets
WB-Shift
| auto
manual
presets
| White Balance ? |
| Focus ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Focus ? |
| Minimum shutter time ? | 1/2.000 | 1/2.000 | 1/16.000 | Minimum shutter time ? |
| Maximum shutter time ? | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/18 | Maximum shutter time ? |
| Apperture control ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| auto
manual
| Apperture control ? |
| Infrared recording ? | | No
| | Infrared recording ? |
| Expanded Focus ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Expanded Focus ? |
| Peaking ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Peaking ? |
| Signal Processing |
| Zebra ? | Off
70%
100%
70-100%
| 60-100% | 50-105% | Zebra ? |
| Histogram ? | Yes
| waveform
| waveform
| Histogram ? |
| adjustable sharpness ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| adjustable sharpness ? |
| Adjustable color ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Adjustable color ? |
| Cinegamma ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Cinegamma ? |
| Black Strech ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Black Strech ? |
| Knee ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Knee ? |
| Colorbars ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Colorbars ? |
| Misc. |
| Shot Transition ? | No
| No
| No
| Shot Transition ? |
| Custom Presets ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Custom Presets ? |
| Set Time Code ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Set Time Code ? |
Configuration
|
| Connections |
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite | Out
| Out
| Out
| FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite |
YC ?
synonymous: S-Video | | No
| No
| YC ?
synonymous: S-Video |
YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal | | | Out
| YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal |
| HDMI ? | Out
| Out
| Out
| HDMI ? |
DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 | In
Out
| In
Out
| - | DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 |
| USB ? | USB 2.0
| USB 2.0
| USB 2.0 OUT
| USB ? |
| Microphone / Audio input ? | XLR
| XLR
| XLR
| Microphone / Audio input ? |
| Headphones ? | 3.5 mm mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Headphones ? |
| Lanc ? | Yes
| No
| | Lanc ? |
| Time-code interface ? | No
| In
Out
| No
| Time-code interface ? |
| Genlock ? | No
| In
| No
| Genlock ? |
| Accessory shoe ? | Standard
| Standard
| Standard
| Accessory shoe ? |
| HD-SDI ? | Out
| Out
| No
| HD-SDI ? |
| Misc. |
| Weight (without battery) | 2400 g | | 2700 g | Weight (without battery) |
| Weight (with battery) | | 2500 g | 2800 g | Weight (with battery) |
| Battery type | Panasonic CGA-E/625
| | Canon BP-955
| Battery type |
| Battery capacity | 5800 mAh | | | Battery capacity |
| Charger ? | external
| external
| external
| Charger ? |
| Remote control | Yes
| No
| Yes
| Remote control |
| Size |
| Height | | 180 mm | 180 mm | Height |
| Width | | 195 mm | 192 mm | Width |
| Depth | | 438 mm | 394 mm | Depth |
| Relative Size ? | 0 | 153 | 136 | Relative Size ? |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Viewfinder available ? |
| Color Viewfinder ? | Color
| Color
| S/W | Color Viewfinder ? |
| Viewfinder format ? | | | 16:9 | Viewfinder format ? |
| Viewfinder pixels ? | 1226000 Pixel | 1226000 Pixel | 1550000 Pixel | Viewfinder pixels ? |
| Display |
| Display available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Display available ? |
| Color display ? | Color
| Color
| S/W | Color display ? |
| Display size | 3,4 Inch | 3,4 Inch | 4,0 Inch | Display size |
| Display format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Display format ? |
| Display pixels ? | 921000 Pixel | 921000 Pixel | 1230000 Pixel | Display pixels ? |
| Touch Screen ? | No
| No
| No
| Touch Screen ? |
| External controls |
| Manual Zoom ? | Rocker
Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Manual Zoom ? |
| Manual Focus ? | Ring
| Ring
| Ring
| Manual Focus ? |
| Manual Aperture ? | Ring
| Ring
| Ring
| Manual Aperture ? |
| Focus switcher ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Focus switcher ? |
| ND Filter ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| ND Filter ? |
| Exp Lock ? | | No
| Yes
| Exp Lock ? |
| Gain ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Gain ? |
| White balance ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| White balance ? |
| Push AF ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Push AF ? |
| Audio Levels ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Audio Levels ? |
Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons | 3 | 4 | 13 | Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons |
Audio
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| Audio Formats ? | Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz
2 channel PCM
| DVC PRO 4x48kHz 16bit PCM
| 2 channel PCM
| Audio Formats ? |
| Microphone ? | external XLR
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Microphone ? |
| Audio Control ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Audio Control ? |
| Audio levels ? | Viewfinder
Screen
| Viewfinder
Screen
| Viewfinder
Screen
display
| Audio levels ? |
Still
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| Recording Medium ? | No
| No
| | Recording Medium ? |
| Medium included ? | No
| No
| | Medium included ? |
| Effective pixels ? | | | | Effective pixels ? |
| Resolutions ? | | | | Resolutions ? |
| Standard ? | | | | Standard ? |
| Flash ? | | No
| | Flash ? |
Misc.
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| Specials | | 10-bit 4:2:2 recordingvariable frame rates | Variable frame rates:720p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 37, 42, 45, 48, 50fps1080p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25fps | Specials |
Product Shots
|
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| View 1 | | | | View 1 |
| View 2 | | | | View 2 |
Test results
|
| Test pictures |
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| luminance resolution | | | | luminance resolution |
| chrominance resolution | | | | chrominance resolution |
| lens distortion | | | | lens distortion |
| test small ISO image | | | | test small ISO image |
| noise / internal microphone | | | | noise / internal microphone |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? |
| Test image 12 lux optimized ? | | | | Test image 12 lux optimized ? |
| slashCAM rating |
| Lowlight ? | Good | Good | Good | Lowlight ? |
| Resolution ? | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Resolution ? |
| Color performance ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Color performance ? |
| subj.Picture impression ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | subj.Picture impression ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle ? | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Wide Angle ? |
| Configuration / image ? | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Configuration / image ? |
| Configuration / sound ? | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Configuration / sound ? |
| Handling ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Handling ? |
| Portability ? | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Portability ? |
| Photo function ? | Poor | Poor | Poor | Photo function ? |
| Optics ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Optics ? |
| Dynamics ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Dynamics ? |
| Conclusion slashCAM |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
| Very good
| Very good
| slashCAM rating ? |
Total score ?
(maximal 570) | 465 | 465 | 465 | Total score ?
(maximal 570) |
| Pros | + Good ergonomics
+ largest zoom range in its class (22x)
+ records on low price SD cards
+ overall concept is consistent
| AVC-Intra 100 codec (10-bit, 4:2:2)Good ergonomics (pleasant switch size)Good resolution with no artificial sharpeningEnormous zoom range (22x) | - 13 assignable buttons
- High sharpness
- 4:2:2 codec
| Pros |
| Cons | - SDI-out 8-bit only
- colored peaking could be stronger
- only 3 custom keys
| "Only" 1/3 inch chip(Lowlight capabilities corresponding to 1/3" chip size) | - no shot transition
| Cons |
| Conclusion | The Panasonic AG-AC160 is a fair alternative for those who neither need an AVC-Intra workflow or a multi-camera synchronization -- those extras are provided by the sister model AG-HPX250 only.The AG-AC160 focuses on the essential functional and ergonomic features of filming -- no gimmicks or undersized keys (apart from the audio buttons) distract from its main objective.Definitely a persuading operating philosophy.The highlights clearly are the immense zoom range and very well balanced overall concept.Panasonic has a broad experience with this kind of camcorder design and it shows.The Panasonic AG-AC160: an AVCHD camera with few weaknesses but many pro features which put the main focus on filming, and all this for a fair price tag of 3.990 Euro net - what more could you ask for? | With the AG-HPX250 Panasonic sticks to old virtues: functions reduced to the essential, rich metadata options, very good ergonomics, high mobility and large format options.Naturally, due to the 1/3" chip the camera is no lowlight monster - but probably no-one expected it to be.In combination with the high end AVC-Intra 100 codec and the multi-camera studio layout with SDI-OUT, TC-IN/OUT, GENLOCK and REMOTE the AG-HPX250 is a "honest" camera which offers very good image quality, and which ought to find its place in professional surroundings (event / studio / broadcast (2nd unit) quite easily.The MSRPof 4.990 Euro net is a reasonable price for the offered services. | In terms of display and viewfinder this camera raises the bar for competitors and its sharpness surpasses that of comparable modells from Sony und Panasonic.The lens is very good.Manual control options and assist functions like waveform monitor und vectorscope are aplenty.Only the low light performance is not completely satisfactory, it is visibly not on par with the Sony EX1(R), its closest competitor. | Conclusion |
More information
|
| Reviews and Forums |
| [ top ] | Panasonic AG-AC160 | Panasonic AG-HPX250 | Canon XF300 | |
| slashCAM Review | | | | slashCAM Review |
| external reviews/tests |  provideocoalition.com
blog.abelcine.com
| provideocoalition.com
| | external reviews/tests |
| Comparison | Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony PMW-EX1R
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX250
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XF300
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XF105
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XF100
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony PMW-EX1
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (2D-Modus)
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XH G1s
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (3D-Modus)
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XH A1s
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XH A1
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony HDR-AX2000
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony HXR-NX70
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony HDR-FX1000
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Canon XL H1A
Panasonic AG-AC160 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
| Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Sony PMW-EX3
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic AG-AC160
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XF300
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XF305
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XF100
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Sony PMW-EX1
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (2D-Modus)
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XH G1s
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XH G1
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (3D-Modus)
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XL H1S
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Canon XL H1
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Sony HVR-V1
Panasonic AG-HPX250 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
| Canon XF300 compared to Sony PMW-EX3
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-AC160
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX250
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XF305
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XF100
Canon XF300 compared to Sony PMW-EX1
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (2D-Modus)
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XH G1s
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XH G1
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic HDC-Z10000 (3D-Modus)
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Canon XF300 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XL H1S
Canon XF300 compared to Canon XL H1
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
Canon XF300 compared to Sony HVR-Z1
Canon XF300 compared to Panasonic AG-AC130
| Comparison |
| Forum posts | | NAB 2011: Panasonic AG-HPX250 with AVC-Intra Recording
| EX1R - XF300 Vegleichsvideo
presets for the XF300 or better ruessel searched for the XF300
Canon XF300 clip as a single file in CS5 import
SonyPMW-EX1R vs Canon XF300 ... Recommended (?)
CANON XF300 SD?
Test: Canon XF300 and XF305
EX1 gets wind - Canon XF300 and XF305
| Forum posts |
| |
