White Paper 034 Addendum 66 (rev 2): Tests and settings on a Panasonic AG-AF101

Alan Roberts

Abstract

Tests were made on to separate production models of the Panasonic AF101. Neither camera had a serial number at the time of testing. The camera has a single large CMOS sensor, presumably with Bayer-pattern, and a new lens mount designed to accept a new range of ‘micro 4/3"’ lenses, or other large format lenses via mechanical adaptors. It records MPEG4-compressed video (AVC H.264).

The camera is clearly intended as a competitor in the range of large-format digital SLR cameras which record video, but has all the normal facilities of a video camera (attached viewfinder and side lcd display, many controls via external buttons rather than entirely via menus). Although the sensor is large by video standards, it is not large by SLR or film standards. Also, it seems that the sensor was not specifically designed for this camera, since some compromises have been made (see the measurements section for details).

Recording is onto SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, at 1920x1080 (interlaced or progressive psf) or 1280x720, at an impressive number of frame rates from 59.94 to 23.98Hz. However, recording data rates are rather low for broadcast use, 21, 17 or 6Mb/s. The camera will operate and record off-speed, in 1080 mode, at spot speeds between 12 and 50Hz or 60Hz depending on the system speed setting. It will also record from 3 seconds before pressing the Start button or record single frames at set intervals. Signal outputs are available: video via BNC for HDSDI and SDSDI, HDMI, and analogue composite SD; audio input via XLRs. The analogue video socket doubles for setting timecodes when multiple cameras are used.

It is physically small (163x195x290mm) and light (1.3kg) for a broadcast camera, but there is no need for extra hardware in order to make it a usable camera, unlike video-shooting DSLRs. Power consumption is about 12.5 watts from a 7.2v volt battery, which identifies the design as being more aimed at consumer and semi-professional than at the broadcaster who would normally expect to use a conventional 12 volt battery pack. However, the top and side handles are removable, which makes it possible to customise the camera in unusual ways.

There are neutral filters for exposure control, and on-screen video level monitoring is good, there are options for waveform-monitoring on the LCD panel.

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