Panasonic's latest introduction to its popular AVCCAM line, the AG-HMC40 handheld, combines full HD AVCHD video recording with high-resolution 10.6-megapixel still photo capture, giving you the benefits of two professional cameras in one affordable package.

Compact and lightweight at 2.16-pounds, the HMC40 is a versatile HD camcorder offering high-quality AVCHD recordings, high-resolution still photo capture, an easy-to-use SD card workflow, and professional audio capabilities for a wide range of applications and markets including schools, government agencies, event videographers, web designers and more.

With a full resolution 3-megapixel, 1/4-inch 3MOS imager, the HMC40 produces stunning 1920x1080 video in AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), delivering images far superior to HDV. When used for digital still photography, the camera captures photos with 10.6-megapixel resolution directly onto the SD card as a JPEG image. The camera can also be connected directly to a PictBridge photo printer (no PC required). And unlike HDV tapes, video and photos can be accessed randomly and immediately from the SD cards and played back on a number of consumer devices.

The camcorder's advanced Leica Dicomar lens system offers 12X optical zoom, wide-angle setting (40.8mm) and an optical image stabilizer (O.I.S.) feature for precise shooting. The compact camera is also packed with professional video and audio features (HDMI out, date/time stamp, remote zoom, XLR option, etc.)

Using high-capacity SD memory cards, the HMC40 provides hours of beautiful high definition recordings at professional level bit rates. It records in a range of 1080 and 720 formats with all four professional AVCCAM recording modes: PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the HG mode (approx.13 Mbps), HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). AVCCAM offers the benefit of a fast, file-based workflow using widely available and reasonably priced SD memory cards.

Features:

• HD formats: 1080/60i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p (Native); 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p (Native)
• Three newly designed 1/4.1" Progressive 3MOS Imagers for full HD resolution
• 12x Leica Dicomar lens (13 elements in 10 groups), 43mm filter Ø, zoom range of 40.8 - 490mm* (*35mm equivalent.)
• Extremely slow, smooth zoom for the precise control needed for dramatic sequences
• Time Date Stamp enables shooting Legal Depositions or Surveillance
• Long record time: 3 hours with included battery (7 hours continuous with 5,800mAh Battery)
• Remaining battery time readout in minutes so shooter is warned (Info Data Secure Battery)
• 3-second pre-record function captures the shot from the beginning
• Shooting assist functions: focus expand, focus bar and Face Detection feature in Auto Mode
• Waveform monitor helps with luminance for green screen where lighting has to be evenly distributed
• Professional interface with HDMI out, Component Out (mini D terminal), Composite Video Out and RCA Audio Out
• Additional features include: three user set buttons, Time code (DF, NDF, REC RUN, FREE RUN) and USER BIT, two scene files, auto functions (Auto Focus, Auto White Balance and Auto Neutral Density)
• Connects directly to PictBridge photo printers
• 2.7-inch 16:9 Touchscreen LCD display (Just touch the thumbnail for playback)
• Manual and remote control connection for Zoom, Focus, Iris, Start/Stop functions (similar to HMC150). Focus ring can also be used for Iris and Zoom
• Min. Illumination: 1 lux, (F1.8, Gain: +34dB, Slow Shutter: 1/2 sec.)
• Syncro Scan Shutter, 60i- 1/60-1/250, 30p- 1/30-1/250, 24p- 1/24-1/250
• Selectable Gammas & DRS Dynamic Range Stretch
• Lightweight, yet durable, design with removable handle
• Optional AG-MYA30G Professional XLR adapter available (features audio inputs with +48V Phantom Power, Mic/Line, Attentuation, Ch 1&2 or Ch2, Level Controls and Mic Holder (8 pin push on precision connector)
• Edius Neo 2 edit software included in carton (Through March 2010)
• 3-Year limited warranty (1 year + 2 extra years upon registration)

Includes:

• AG-HMC40 Camcorder
• AC adapter/charger
• 2640mAh battery pack (secure type)
• AC cable
• DC cable (catch type)
• Wireless remote controller with button-type battery
• Eye cup
• Shoulder Belt
• Component video cable
• AV cable
• PIN-BNC conversion plugs
• Handle
• Touch pen
• CD-ROM
• AVCCAM Restorer (Windows PC/Mac)
• Lens hood cap
• XLR adapter terminal cover

• DC7.2V (using with battery), 7.3V (using with AC adapter)

• 7.8 W (max., when the AG-MYA30G XLR microphone adapter is connected)
• 5.8 W (in standalone condition)

• 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)

• 10% to 80% (No condensation

• Approx. 2.16 lb. (Approx. 0.98 kg) camcorder only
• Approx. 3.08 lb. (Approx. 1.4 kg) including SD memory cards, supplied battery, microphone and XLR adapter

• 5-11/32 x 5-5/16 x 11-31/32 inches (136 × 135 × 304 mm) excluding the projection part

• 3MOS (1/4.1-inch progressive modes supported)

• Total: Approx. 3.05 megapixels×3
• Effective (video): Approx. 2.51 megapixels×3 (16:9)
• Effective (still image): Approx. 2.32 megapixels×3 (4:3)
• Approx. 2.65 megapixels×3 (3:2), Approx. 2.51 megapixels×3 (16:9)

• LEICA DICOMAR lens with optical image stabilizer, motorized/manual mode switching, 12× zoom, F1.8 to 2.8 (f=4.0mm to 48mm), 35mm equivalent (video): 40.8mm to 490mm (16:9) 35mm equivalent (still image): 41.3mm to 496mm (3:2), 40.8mm to 490mm (16:9), 45.0mm to 540mm (4:3)

• Prism system

• Auto On/Off by IRIS

• 35.43 inches (0.9 m)

• <Motion Image> 0 dB to +24 dB (Variable in 1-dB steps; USER button allocation; up to +34 dB using the High Gain setting)
• <Still Image> 0 dB to +18 dB (Variable in 1-dB steps)

• <Motion Image> 60i/60p mode: 1/60 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (7 steps), 30p mode: 1/30 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (8 steps) , 24p mode: 1/24 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (8 steps)
• <Still Image> 1/2 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (16 steps)

• 60i/60p mode: 1/60.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec.
• 30p mode: 1/30.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec
• 24p mode: 1/24.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec.

• 60i/60p mode: 1/2 sec., 1/4 sec., 1/8 sec., 1/15 sec., 1/30 sec.
• 30p mode: 1/2 sec., 1/4 sec., 1/8 sec., 1/15 sec.
• 24p mode: 1/2 sec., 1/3 sec., 1/6 sec., 1/12 sec.

• Approx. 1 lx (Gain: +34 dB, Slow Shutter: 1/2 sec.)

• 2x/5x/10x (Assigned to the USER button, only available for 1080/60i, 720/60p)

• 43 mm

• AVCHD

• MPEG-4 AVC/H.264

• SD Memory Card : 512MB, 1GB, 2GB (FAT12, FAT16)
• SDHC Memory Card : 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, 32GB (FAT32)

• PH mode: 1080/60i, 1080/30p (over 60i), 1080/24p (native), 720/60p, 720/30p (over 60p) and 720/24p (native)
• HA, HG and HE mode: 1080/60i only

• PH mode: Approx. 21 Mbps (VBR, Max. 24 Mbps)
• HA mode: Approx. 17 Mbps (VBR), HG mode: Approx. 13 Mbps (VBR)
• HE mode: Approx. 6 Mbps (VBR)

• 1 sec. / 10 sec. / 30 sec. / 1 min. / 2 min. / OFF

• Max. recordable clips per card: 900 (after formatting, without removing/inserting the card)
• Max. playable clips: 1,000 (up to 1,000 clips displayed)

• Selectable from 20 frames/page, 9 frames/page, and 1 frame/page

• Delete, write-protect

• Yes

• Compression Method: JPEG (DCF/Exif2.2 standard), DPOF
• Recording Media: SD Memory Card: 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB (FAT12, FAT16) SDHC Memory Card: 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, 32GB (FAT32)
• Recording Pixels: [4:3] 9 megapixels / 8 megapixels / 5 megapixels / 0.3 megapixels [3:2] 10.6 megapixels / 7 megapixels / 4.5 megapixels [16:9] 10 megapixels / 6 megapixels / 3.5 megapixels
• Quality: Fine/Normal
• Flach Function: No
• Number of Recordable Still Pictures*3 (approx.): [4:3] 6030 (9M 3520 x 2640 pixels)*4 [3:2] 5300 (10.6M 3984 x 2656 pixels)*4 [16:9] 5580 (10M 4224 x 2376 pixels)*4

• Video Signals: 1080/60i, 720/60p
• HDMI Output: HDMI x 1 (HDMI Type A terminal), 1080/60i, 720/60p, 480/60p (Not compatible with VIERA Link)
• Component Output: Mini-D x 1, Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω, PB/PR: 0.7 Vp-p, 75Ω
• A/V Output: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω

• Compression Method: Recording/Playback: Dolby Digital/2 ch
• Sampling Frequency: 48 kHz
• Quantization: 16 bit
• Compression Bit-rate: PH mode: 384 kbps, HA, HG and HE mode: 256 kbps

• XLR Input: Exclusive terminal for AG-MYA30G
• Internal Microphone: Stereo microphone
• A/V Output: Output: 316 mV, 600 Ω, 2 ch
• HDMI Output: 2 ch (Linear PCM), 5.1 ch (Dolby Digital)
• Headphone: Stereo mini jack (3.5 mm diameter) x 1
• Built-in Speaker: 20 mm (round) x 1
• External Microphone Input: -70 dBV (Mic sensitivity: -50 dB equivalent, 0 dB=1 V/Pa 1 kHz) Stereo mini jack (3.5 mm diameter) (Not compatible with plug-in power microphone

• USB: Type mini B connector (compliant with USB ver. 2.0)
• Camera Remote: Super mini jack (2.5mm diameter) x 1, for zoom and rec start/stop operations Mini jack (3.5mm diameter) x 1, for focus and iris controls

• LCD Monitor: 2.7 inches, wide LCD color monitor, Approx. 230,000 pixels
• Viewfinder: 0.26 inches, wide LCD color viewfinder, Approx. 113,000 pixels

• Viewfinder: 0.26 inches, wide LCD color viewfinder, Approx. 113,000 pixels
• *2: Records only in PH mode, 1080/24p. The maximum recording interval is 24 hours
• *3: The number of recordable still pictures varies depending on the subject and whether both Fine and Normal mode pictures are included.
• *4: Fine mode, using one 32GB SDHC Memory Card.
• *Weight and dimensions shown are approximate. Specifications are subject to change without notice.