Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder
- Sugg Retail Price: $3,680.00
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- In Stock
- B&H # PAAGAC130A
- Mfr# AG-AC130APJ
Product Highlights
- 1/3" 2.2 MP 3MOS Sensor
- Expanded Focus Assist
- Turbo Speed One-Push Auto Focus
- Integrated 22x Lens / 28-616mm Equiv.
- 3.45" 1920 x 480 LCD
- AVCHD Professional PH Recording
- 1080i60 / p30 / p24 / 720p60 Formats
- Dual SD / SDHC / SDXC Card Slots
- Standard Definition DV Recording Mode
- 2-Channel XLR Inputs
Remember the Essentials
Recording media is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase recording media for this item.
The Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder is an upgraded version of the AG-AC130. The upgrade consists of expanded focus assist functionality and a "turbo speed" one-push auto focus function.
With expanded focus assist you can zoom in on an image to check focus; and one-push auto focus affords the option of very quickly attaining focus in circumstances requiring on-the-go focusing.
As for other features, the AG-AC130A is a high-definition workhorse of a professional handheld camcorder. With an integrated 22x zoom lens and a 1/3-type 3MOS three-element imager, the camera captures AVCHD video to two SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots as 1080p30, 1080i60, filmic 1080p24, and 720p60.
Panasonic's professional-level PH implementation of AVCHD is the top-quality choice at a max rate of 24 Mb/s; several other data rates will conserve card space as you capture hours of HD video. For projects that require standard-def capture, the AC130A has you covered with DV recording, which can then be output via its 6-pin IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port.
The camera offers a bevy of professional-level features, including dual XLRs with phantom power, SMPTE time-code generation, gamma settings for seven different scenarios, and manual control rings for iris, zoom, and focus. To monitor the status of all settings, and to perform critical focusing functions, the AVCCAM camcorder features both a high-quality 3.45" LCD screen and a full-color LCoS 0.45" viewfinder with 1,226,000 dots (852 x 480 x 3 [RGB]) of resolution.
(Current owners of the AC130 can simply have the upgrades added to their cameras. The additions would include a hardware modification and are offered for a total of $300 at a Panasonic Authorized Service Center.)
- New Upgrades over the AG-AC130
- The AG-AC130A is an upgraded version of the AG-AC130. The upgrade consists of expanded focus assist functionality and a "turbo speed" one-push auto focus function. With expanded focus assist you can zoom in on an image to check focus; and one-push auto focus affords the option of very quickly attaining focus in circumstances requiring on-the-go focusing
- Panasonic Optical Technology
- The high-performance 22x zoom lens was designed specifically for professional HD video production. Sharing the wide-angle capability found in the DVX and HMC series, the lens offers some additional telephoto capability for a 28-616mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range. The lens combines 18 elements in 12 groups and adds an ultra-high refractive (UHR) glass element, a low-dispersion element, and aspheric elements – technologies that combine to raise the resolution. This 22x zoom lens covers a wide field of view, from wide-angle to telephoto, without a conversion lens
- Manual Control Rings
- Three manual rings – mechanical (cam-driven) zoom, focus, and iris – allow you to operate as if you've got an interchangeable-lens camcorder, for fine, tactile control over the parameters of the captured image
- Optical Image Stabilization
- To compensate for any shaking of the operator's hand, the AC130A features an optical image stabilizer (OIS)
- High-Sensitivity, Low-Noise 3MOS Image Sensor
- The 1/3-type 2.2 Mp 3MOS sensor features the same Ultra Luminance Technology (ULT) that's incorporated in Panasonic's shoulder-mount P2 HD broadcast camcorders. This sensor maximizes the performance of the lens and the signal processing circuit in standard conditions
- Digital Zoom
- This can be assigned to a user button for digital zooms of 2x, 5x, and 10x. In combination with the optical zoom, this function provides a telephoto capability up to 220x
- ND Filter
- The AC130A features a four-position (OFF, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, 1/64 ND) optical neutral density filter wheel
- 18-Bit Digital Signal Processor
- The AC130A's high-performance 18-bit DSP handles rendering processes such as gamma and detail-enhancement functions with uncommon precision
- Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)
- The DRS function automatically suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights in scenes that involve wildly varying contrast levels (such as indoor vs. outdoor elements in the same frame). DRS estimates a gamma curve and knee slope to match the contrast of each pixel and applies them in real time, producing excellent gradation for each shade and minimizing blocked shadows and blown highlights
- Seven-Mode Gamma for Rich Gradation
- Drawing upon the technology of the high-end VariCam line, the AC130A features gamma functions for seven shooting scenarios, including two cinema modes: HD NORM (for standard HD recording), LOW (flattens out a high-contrast scene); SD NORM (for standard SD recording); HIGH (softens contrast and expands the tone of dark parts, making an image brighter); B.PRESS (sharpens the contrast compared to LOW); CINE-LIKE D (prioritizes dynamic range); and CINE-LIKE V (prioritizes contrast)
- Three-Position Gain Selection
- There is a 3-position gain selector, with L, M and H settings. To each setting you can assign a gain value of 0, +3, +6, +9, +12 and +18 dB. There is also a Super Gain of +24 dB and +30 dB, accessible via a user button only
- Other Camera Image Settings
- Three values (A/B/Preset) of white balance are selectable with an auto-tracking white function. The preset can be set to 3200K, 5600K, and VARIABLE, which ranges between P2.4K and P9.9K. As with gamma, matrix setting includes a Cine-Like mode. H & V detail levels are adjustable, as are detail coring and skin-tone detail. That's not all: chroma level, chroma phase, color temperature, and master pedestal are all adjustable as well. The camera offers four settings for knee point: Auto, Low, Mid, and High
- Focus Assist Function
- A convenient Focus Assist button expands the center of the LCD screen, allowing you to check for correct focus quickly & easily. A Focus Bar that indicates the focus level can be displayed on the LCD, and the focus-in-red display shows the focus area. These two display functions help you to focus quickly and accurately. A face-detection function is also provided, and area auto focus and area auto iris are possible
- High-Quality, Multi-Format Professional AVCHD PH Mode
- The AC130A uses the AVCHD recording format and also supports the high-image-quality PH mode. AVCHD complies with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 High Profile motion-picture compression technology. Boasting a compression efficiency that is more than twice that of the MPEG-2 system (such as HDV), this advanced video file format delivers superb image quality and low data rates. The PH mode was developed for AVCCAM by Panasonic exclusively for high-quality professional video production. This mode boasts a maximum AVCHD bit rate of 24 Mb/s (average: 21 Mb/s) and records 1920 x 1080 Full-HD images. The AVCHD PH mode is also compatible with multiple HD formats, such as 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98p and 720/59.94p
- DV Recording Mode
- The camera records SD video as a DV-format file (AVI Type 2) for added flexibility. Standard DV output (FireWire/IEEE 1394) lets you ingest files to a PC or Mac
- Double-Slot SD Card System
- Not only can you record continuously on two SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (up to 64 GB), relay recording lets you seamlessly record images onto two memory cards consecutively for added data security, and simultaneous recording records the same images onto two different memory cards to increase reliability when recording. The slot to be used can be switched during normal recording, and clips can also be copied between the 2 slots 1
- SMPTE Time-Code Recording and Synchro
- The built-in SMPTE time-code generator lets you select the Drop Frame/Non-Drop Frame and Free Run/Rec Run modes and preset. User bits are also provided. Connecting two cameras with a TC preset in/out (video out) connector allows the slave camera to synchronize with the master camera
- Other Recording Modes
- Pre-Rec continuously stores in standby mode up to 3 seconds of HD video, and this pre-record cache is only recorded to the P2 card once you press Record. This helps you get the shot every time, even if you "miss" the crucial moment by a couple seconds. Interval Rec gives you automatic intermittent recording based on a set interval and recording time (1 sec, 10 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min) only in 1080/24p. Rec Check checks the beginning and end of the last recorded clip. If you don't like it, Last Clip Delete enables one-button delete of that last clip. Scenes can be marked with up to 100 Index flags per clip (AVCHD mode only). Time Stamp appends the date and time onto recorded images, which is a crucial feature for evidential images
- Area Focusing and Area Iris Functions
- Using the function knob (cursor key), you can select a desired area in the frame and set it as a target zone for focusing, iris adjustment, and YGET (brightness measurement). This increases shot-composing flexibility. In addition to the above three modes, there are two other modes: simultaneous focusing/iris adjustment and simultaneous focusing/YGET
- Scene File / User File
- The AC130A features a Scene dial that allows you to choose an appropriate matrix of settings instantaneously. You can modify the six preset files if you'd like, one set of which can be stored internally in the camcorder. Four more sets can be stored on an SD memory card. As for user files (camera setting values), one file can be stored internally, and four more sets can be stored on an SD card
- Simplified Waveform & Vectorscope
- The AC130A has waveform and vectorscope display functions for analyzing a captured video signal on the LCD
- Three User Buttons
- A total of three user buttons can be set to trigger any selection of 16 different camera functions: INH, FACE DETECT, WFM, EVF DTL, D.ZOOM, DRS, S.GAIN, ATW, ATW LOCK, SHOT MARK, INDEX, LAST CLIP, BACKLIGHT, SPOTLIGHT, BLACKFADE, and last but not least, WHITEFADE
- High-Quality Color Viewfinder and LCD
- The AC130A's color EVF uses a 0.45", approximately 1,226,000 dot-equivalent (852 x 480 x 3 [RGB]) LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) display panel. It delivers bright, detailed, high-resolution images and a high response speed. The AC130A's LCD monitor has a 3.45", approximately 921,000-dot (1920 x 480) high-resolution panel. Various markers and grids can be displayed on the monitor/viewfinder, and with Mode Check, a list of the camera's settings can also displayed on the viewfinder and monitor
- Stylish Design Boosts Mobility
- Even with the high-powered zoom lens, the integrated camera and recorder sections are compact and stylish. Shifting the handle grip and LCD position forward (toward the lens) compared to the design of previous generations has improved the weight balance and visibility for handheld shooting, enabling a comfortably wide view. The magnesium-alloy die-cast chassis also excels in ruggedness and durability
- Low-Angle Shots and Interviews
- The upper part of the handle grip contains both the Rec Start/Stop button and a lens zoom speed control (three speeds). This design assures easy shooting even at low angles. The LCD monitor's mirror mode is convenient for shooting interviews that need to be monitored by one of the subjects of the shot
- XLR Input for Pro-Quality Audio
- In addition to the internal high-performance stereo microphone, the AC130A comes equipped with two-channel XLR audio input terminals with a 48V phantom power supply. The internal microphone, external microphone, or line input can be selected for each channel. Large, easy-to-use level dials are also provided
- HDMI Digital HD Output Terminal
- The AC130A is equipped with an HDMI output terminal for digital transfer of high-quality HD video and audio signals
- Down-Converted SD Video Output
- The AC130A has an internal down-converter so it can output SD (480/576) signals from VIDEO OUT or HDMI (progressive only). The 16:9/4:3 aspect conversion mode can be selected from three types (side crop, letterbox, squeeze)
- Workflow Versatility
- The Panasonic AVCCAM family enables tapeless recording, which means faster-than-real-time transfers to Windows & Mac computers for nonlinear editing – whether via a USB 2.0 connection or by offloading SD/SDHC/SDXC cards via a card reader. This allows for a speedy workflow and no time-consuming digitizing. For DV editing, simply connect the camcorder to a computer via the IEEE 1394-compliant (FireWire) 6-pin output terminal
- Zebra
- Select any two zebra levels from 50% to 105% (in 5% steps)
- USB 2.0
- The type mini-B USB port allows for connection to a PC in device mode
- Remote Terminal
- Enables remote operation of iris, focus, Rec Start/Stop and index functions
- Color Bar
- Outputs a color bar signal and test tone
- Tally Lamps
- Tally lamps are provided on the front and rear of the AC130A
| Image Device |
3x 1/3-type progressive 2.2 MP CMOS Prism color separation |
| Lens |
22x optical zoom 2x, 5x, 10x digital zoom 3.9-86 mm (28-616 mm / 35 mm equivalent) f/1.6-3.2 18 elements in 12 groups |
| Minimum Object Distance (M.O.D.) | Approx. 3.3' (1 m) |
| Filter Diameter | 72 mm |
| Horizontal Resolution | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Sensitivity | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Minimum Illumination | 0.4 lux (f/1.6, gain +30 dB, shutter speed 1/30 second) |
| Vertical Smear | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Signal System | NTSC |
| Built-in Filters | ND filter: OFF, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
| LCD Monitor | 3.45" (87.63 mm) color LCD monitor with approx. 921K dots (16:9) |
| Viewfinder | 0.45" (11.43 mm) color LCoS monitor with approx. 1226K dots (16:9) |
| Scan Matching | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Memory Card Slot | 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC slots |
| Shutter Speed |
60i mode: 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 30p mode: 1/30, 1/50, 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second 24p mode: 1/24, 1/50, 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 second |
| Slow Shutter |
60i mode: 1/8, 1/15, 1/30 second 30p mode: 1/8, 1/15 second 24p mode: 1/6, 1/12 second |
| Synchro Scan Shutter |
60i mode: 1/60.0 to 1/249.8 second 30p mode: 1/30.0 to 1/249.8 second 24p mode: 1/24.0 to 1/249.8 second |
| Shutter Opening Angle | 3-359.5° in 0.5° increments |
| Frame Rates | 24, 30, 60 fps |
| Gain Selection | 0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+15/+18/+24/+30 dB (+24 dB, +30 dB: USER button S.GAIN only) |
| Recording Media |
SD memory card (FAT12, FAT16 formats supported): 512 MB, 1 GB, up to 2 GB SDHC memory card (FAT32 format supported): 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB SDXC memory card (exFAT format supported): 48 GB, 64 GB (up to 2 TB) |
| Recording Formats | AVCHD standard (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), DV standard (AVI Type2) |
| Maximum Recording Time | With 2x 64 GB SDXC cards: Approx. 12 hours in PH (highest-quality AVCHD); 48 hours in HE mode (lowest-quality AVCHD); 8.5 hours in DV mode |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Video Signals |
PH mode: 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98pN, 720/59.94p, 720/29.97p, 720/23.98pN
PM mode: 720/59.94p HA/HE mode: 1080/59.94i DV mode: 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p |
| Sampling Frequency |
4:2:0 (AVCHD) 4:1:1 (DV) |
| Quantization | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Video Compression |
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) DV (DV) |
| Video Bitrates |
PH mode: Approx. 21 Mb/s (VBR)
PM mode: Approx. 8 Mb/s (VBR) HA mode: Approx. 17 Mb/s (VBR) HE mode: Approx. 6 Mb/s (VBR) |
| Interval Recording | 1 sec / 10 sec / 30 sec / 1 min / 2 min interval, maximum 168 hours (1 week) recording (PH 1080/24p mode is fixed) |
| Audio Signal |
Dolby Digital 2-channel (AVCHD) 48 kHz/16-bit, Linear PCM 2-channel (DV) |
| Audio Bitrates |
PH mode: 384 kb/s PM/HA/HE mode: 256 kb/s |
| Speaker | 1x 20 mm diameter |
| Video Outputs |
HDMI: 1x HDMI Type A, VIERA Link not supported Composite Video: 1x Pin jack, 1.0 V [p-p], 75 Ω |
| Audio I/O |
Input: 2x XLR 3-pin (input 1, input 2) Line/Mic/+48V switchable Line: 0 dBu Mic: -40 dBu / -50 dBu / -60 dBu switching via menu Built-in Mic In supports stereo microphones Output: 2x pin jack (channel 1 / channel 2), 316mV, 600 ohm output 1x 3.5 mm diameter stereo mini jack for headphones Via HDMI: 2-channel (linear PCM) & 5.1-channel (Dolby Digital) |
| Other I/O Connections |
Time Code Preset In/Out: Via Composite Video Out dual-purpose (In: 1V [p-p] to 4V [p-p], 10 k-ohm; Out: Low-impedance, 2.0±0.5V [p-p]) Camera Remote: 1x 2.5 mm diameter super mini jack (zoom, shutter speed); 1x 3.5 mm diameter mini jack (focus, iris) Index Remote: 1x 2.5 mm diameter super mini jack IEEE 1394: 1x 6-pin, digital output only USB 2.0 (Device): 1x Type Mini B, 4-pin USB 2.0 |
| Power Requirements |
7.2V DC via battery 7.3V DC via AC adapter |
| Power Consumption | 11.6W when recording |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) |
| Operating Humidity | 10-80% (no condensation) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 7 x 7.69 x 17.25" (18 x 19.5 x 43.8 cm) excluding protrusions |
| Weight | Approx. 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) excluding battery and accessories |
(Extends to Up to 3 Years with Online Registration)
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 16 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Zoom range/performance (20)
- Easy to use (13)
- Great picture quality (13)
- Good in low light (8)
- Great sound (7)
Cons
Best Uses
- HD shooting (11)
- Documentaries (10)
- Low light (10)
- Weddings (7)
- Movies/short films (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (12)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 16 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-16
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
This is the first AVCHD camera that I have ever used or owned. I'm used to much larger cameras and shoot off-the-shoulder. It's light weight has taken some adjustment for me and I need to either buy or improvise a shoulder mount since I use the EVF 99% of the time.
Speaking of the EVF... It allows you to view a black and white image that I really love. Combine that with the focus assist that shows up as a red outline and it's pretty easy to get sharp focus in most instances. The only exceptions are high contrast situations. I was shooting outside and there was a black fence in the shot. Since the camera determines focus by the contrast... the black fence was almost constantly red outlined. Not a big deal, I just needed to be aware to make the adjustments.
The interval recording is really nice. We had a storm coming in and I set it up to record the clouds moving in. What a great timelapse. I couldn't see using the feature very much, if at all, until I tried it. Now, I may have to dream up some projects.
The camera is very customizable and has several ways to accomplish the same thing which makes it very flexible to fit many shooting styles and workflows. Since I shoot using manual controls for almost everything, I won't use half of the options on this camera, but it's nice to have. If you like to use all auto, the camera does a nice job and I don't think you'l be dissapointed. The Spotlight and Backlight function, I found to work quite well.
I haven't used the camera a lot at this writing, but the experiences I've had are all pretty good. Most of the time I've had the camera, has been spent exploring the menus and adjusting it to my liking. It has too many good features for me to list, but I guess that's what the "Product Description" is for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I purchaed the AG-AC130A to replace my AG-DVX100B. All I have to say is wow. The quality is amazing. Really up's the production value of weddings and other projects. The zoom is great for sporting events. All the New features make it a professionals must have.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
We use this camera in a house of worship, primarily filming the message from 70 feet away from the pastor. The AG-AC130A was at a great price point for us, and the features like manual zoom/focus, video gain and multiple outputs suit our needs perfectly. We would have loved to have had the uncompressed audio feature which is on the AC160A, but you can't have it all!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Porta Brace DVO-2 DV Organizer Camera Case
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
recording weddings, events, television commercials, sports, etc. love the fact that I can record in different resolutions, including sd. easy to use. very professional
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Corporate Interviews
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Run and gun
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Bought this camera based on the reviews I've read here and on suggestions from other pros. Haven't used it on any shoots yet, but am gearing up for our next corporate gig. It's light, feels great in my hand and is pretty easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Extra Battery, Carrying Case
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Sound
Cons
- No External Mic Input
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- News
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I use the camera for News sIts great cameraI recommend
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I use the AG AC 130A for newscast, and sports, it's a nice cam, I owned the HMC 150, but this is a better camera, the only bad issue I found it, is that the HMC 150 look much better in low light. Otherwise the cam is perfect. Yes I would recommend it to a friend.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- AG HMC 150
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Focus Assist
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Stage Productions
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I've been a big fan of Panasonic cameras for more than a decade, but the AC130A steps up to a whole new level. We primarily shoot stage events, and the 22x lens on the 130 is a godsend. The focus assist is an incredible addition to this camera. When activated, the areas in focus are outlined in bright red in the viewfinder, so you can easily follow a performer from one side of the stage to the other without wondering if they are still in focus.
The 130A features 2 independent card slots, giving you the ability to simultaneously recording to both cards so you immediately have a backup of you shoot. You can also record in relay mode where the camera automatically switches to the second card after the first is full. This is another lifesaver when a stage event runs longer than expected since we no longer have to stop recording to change out a full card. The 130A also supports SDXC cards so you use cards up to 128GB.
The only (minor) complaint I have is that the 130A is a lot bigger than our HMC150s and is about a pound or so heavier. If you do a lot of handheld work, the 130A will take some getting used to. Even with that, my camera operators are fighting over who gets to shoot on the 130A. For the price, this is an amazing camera that has some fantastic features that make my life a whole lot easier.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Panasonic VW-VBG6 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Purchased it for recording church services and needed something that had good quality but at the same time, once set up, became idiot-proof. I think it has done the trick nicely.
It has an extremely good auto focus, fairly good low light level capability and matched with a Davis and Sanford Provista tripod is solid, large, easy to control and smooth. Another of the pros for this are the zoom options. I have the top control set to a slower speed and the right control to a faster speed. Most of our zooms need to be slow so you control movement with your right hand and zoom with your left hand. Recording so far has been done od 32gb cards however next week I am going to shift to direct recording into the computer and post-editing on Sony Vegas 12. Incidently this camera is to replace a very old VHS Panasonic camera from the early 90s which we were still using for TV brodcasts on local cable - yikes !
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I bought this camera for use in promotional and fundraising video projects and have already put it to good use.
My primary reason for selcting a new camera was to record directly to SD cards. The Panasonic's capability to record to two cards simultaneously allows me to keep one for archival purposes.
The long lens allows me to get the shots I need from a distance which is helpful in shooting b-roll in public places.
On the negative side, the Panasonic is a little larger and heavier than expected. My previous Canon XH-A1 is quite a bit smaller. Also, it would have been nice to see the BNC connecter offered at this level.
All in all, I would purchase again. Great product and the 3 year warranty is a real plus.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Great camera for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Full Raster Image
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
- Larger Than The Hmc-150
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
It's a no brainer upgrade from HMC-series cams, and a serious contender as a pro-level HD machine. Full-raster chips, decent AF (even with that huge lens at 24p) and great controls. The red focus peaking's the bomb, dual card slots give you more peace of mind, and if you have an investment in Panasonic-style remotes, you're good to go (and you can use HMC-series batteries too.)
I just shot some intense road-race stuff, from chase cars, helicopters, etc. The image stabilization works great and saved shots that deserved to die. You get all of panny's great image controls and can have a really film-like look. Noise is well-controlled, even when using gain. It's a control-freak's dream. Even the LCD is a big upgrade form the blue-horror of the HMC-150. I'd say this and the 160 are new standards for their respective price points. Great job from panasonic on this one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Great for legal work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
We use the AC130 to shoot videos for our church service as well as videos for our small groups.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Magnifaction
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Without breaking the bank, the Panasonic AG-AC130A delivers high quality video. Excellent features normally found on a more expensive professional model, this camera has the right combination of features for an affordable price
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Does everything that you need, great in low light and available light although autofocus searches for longer in low light - no problem just use in manual! Full wide angle with a good zoom range. MTS native files need to be converted before editing in FCP so just need a good enough converter. Good battery life even with viewfinder open.
Displaying reviews 1-16
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 16 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Zoom range/performance (20)
- Easy to use (13)
- Great picture quality (13)
- Good in low light (8)
- Great sound (7)
Cons
Best Uses
- HD shooting (11)
- Documentaries (10)
- Low light (10)
- Weddings (7)
- Movies/short films (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (12)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 16 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-16
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
This is the first AVCHD camera that I have ever used or owned. I'm used to much larger cameras and shoot off-the-shoulder. It's light weight has taken some adjustment for me and I need to either buy or improvise a shoulder mount since I use the EVF 99% of the time.
Speaking of the EVF... It allows you to view a black and white image that I really love. Combine that with the focus assist that shows up as a red outline and it's pretty easy to get sharp focus in most instances. The only exceptions are high contrast situations. I was shooting outside and there was a black fence in the shot. Since the camera determines focus by the contrast... the black fence was almost constantly red outlined. Not a big deal, I just needed to be aware to make the adjustments.
The interval recording is really nice. We had a storm coming in and I set it up to record the clouds moving in. What a great timelapse. I couldn't see using the feature very much, if at all, until I tried it. Now, I may have to dream up some projects.
The camera is very customizable and has several ways to accomplish the same thing which makes it very flexible to fit many shooting styles and workflows. Since I shoot using manual controls for almost everything, I won't use half of the options on this camera, but it's nice to have. If you like to use all auto, the camera does a nice job and I don't think you'l be dissapointed. The Spotlight and Backlight function, I found to work quite well.
I haven't used the camera a lot at this writing, but the experiences I've had are all pretty good. Most of the time I've had the camera, has been spent exploring the menus and adjusting it to my liking. It has too many good features for me to list, but I guess that's what the "Product Description" is for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I purchaed the AG-AC130A to replace my AG-DVX100B. All I have to say is wow. The quality is amazing. Really up's the production value of weddings and other projects. The zoom is great for sporting events. All the New features make it a professionals must have.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
We use this camera in a house of worship, primarily filming the message from 70 feet away from the pastor. The AG-AC130A was at a great price point for us, and the features like manual zoom/focus, video gain and multiple outputs suit our needs perfectly. We would have loved to have had the uncompressed audio feature which is on the AC160A, but you can't have it all!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Porta Brace DVO-2 DV Organizer Camera Case
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
recording weddings, events, television commercials, sports, etc. love the fact that I can record in different resolutions, including sd. easy to use. very professional
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Corporate Interviews
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Run and gun
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Bought this camera based on the reviews I've read here and on suggestions from other pros. Haven't used it on any shoots yet, but am gearing up for our next corporate gig. It's light, feels great in my hand and is pretty easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Extra Battery, Carrying Case
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Sound
Cons
- No External Mic Input
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- News
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I use the camera for News sIts great cameraI recommend
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I use the AG AC 130A for newscast, and sports, it's a nice cam, I owned the HMC 150, but this is a better camera, the only bad issue I found it, is that the HMC 150 look much better in low light. Otherwise the cam is perfect. Yes I would recommend it to a friend.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- AG HMC 150
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Focus Assist
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Stage Productions
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I've been a big fan of Panasonic cameras for more than a decade, but the AC130A steps up to a whole new level. We primarily shoot stage events, and the 22x lens on the 130 is a godsend. The focus assist is an incredible addition to this camera. When activated, the areas in focus are outlined in bright red in the viewfinder, so you can easily follow a performer from one side of the stage to the other without wondering if they are still in focus.
The 130A features 2 independent card slots, giving you the ability to simultaneously recording to both cards so you immediately have a backup of you shoot. You can also record in relay mode where the camera automatically switches to the second card after the first is full. This is another lifesaver when a stage event runs longer than expected since we no longer have to stop recording to change out a full card. The 130A also supports SDXC cards so you use cards up to 128GB.
The only (minor) complaint I have is that the 130A is a lot bigger than our HMC150s and is about a pound or so heavier. If you do a lot of handheld work, the 130A will take some getting used to. Even with that, my camera operators are fighting over who gets to shoot on the 130A. For the price, this is an amazing camera that has some fantastic features that make my life a whole lot easier.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Panasonic VW-VBG6 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Purchased it for recording church services and needed something that had good quality but at the same time, once set up, became idiot-proof. I think it has done the trick nicely.
It has an extremely good auto focus, fairly good low light level capability and matched with a Davis and Sanford Provista tripod is solid, large, easy to control and smooth. Another of the pros for this are the zoom options. I have the top control set to a slower speed and the right control to a faster speed. Most of our zooms need to be slow so you control movement with your right hand and zoom with your left hand. Recording so far has been done od 32gb cards however next week I am going to shift to direct recording into the computer and post-editing on Sony Vegas 12. Incidently this camera is to replace a very old VHS Panasonic camera from the early 90s which we were still using for TV brodcasts on local cable - yikes !
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
I bought this camera for use in promotional and fundraising video projects and have already put it to good use.
My primary reason for selcting a new camera was to record directly to SD cards. The Panasonic's capability to record to two cards simultaneously allows me to keep one for archival purposes.
The long lens allows me to get the shots I need from a distance which is helpful in shooting b-roll in public places.
On the negative side, the Panasonic is a little larger and heavier than expected. My previous Canon XH-A1 is quite a bit smaller. Also, it would have been nice to see the BNC connecter offered at this level.
All in all, I would purchase again. Great product and the 3 year warranty is a real plus.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Great camera for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Full Raster Image
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
- Larger Than The Hmc-150
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
It's a no brainer upgrade from HMC-series cams, and a serious contender as a pro-level HD machine. Full-raster chips, decent AF (even with that huge lens at 24p) and great controls. The red focus peaking's the bomb, dual card slots give you more peace of mind, and if you have an investment in Panasonic-style remotes, you're good to go (and you can use HMC-series batteries too.)
I just shot some intense road-race stuff, from chase cars, helicopters, etc. The image stabilization works great and saved shots that deserved to die. You get all of panny's great image controls and can have a really film-like look. Noise is well-controlled, even when using gain. It's a control-freak's dream. Even the LCD is a big upgrade form the blue-horror of the HMC-150. I'd say this and the 160 are new standards for their respective price points. Great job from panasonic on this one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Great for legal work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
We use the AC130 to shoot videos for our church service as well as videos for our small groups.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Magnifaction
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Without breaking the bank, the Panasonic AG-AC130A delivers high quality video. Excellent features normally found on a more expensive professional model, this camera has the right combination of features for an affordable price
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic AG-AC130A AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder:
Does everything that you need, great in low light and available light although autofocus searches for longer in low light - no problem just use in manual! Full wide angle with a good zoom range. MTS native files need to be converted before editing in FCP so just need a good enough converter. Good battery life even with viewfinder open.
Displaying reviews 1-16
Media
Show more >Required item: Recording media is not included. A memory card is required to record your footage.
- Price: $14.95
Batteries & Power Adapters
Show more >Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $129.95
- Price: $69.95
Lenses & Lens Adapters
Show more >Capture your desired angle of view with a quality conversion lens.
- Price: $229.95
- Price: $929.00
Microphones & Audio Adapters
Show more >Focus your sound with a high-quality microphone. Audio quality can make or break your video.
- Price: $164.94
Bags & Cases
Show more >Carry, organize and protect your investment with quick access to your gear.
- Price: $159.95
Tripod, Sliders, Dollies, & Cranes
Show more >Stabilize the your footage and eliminate handheld fatigue with the support you need.
- Price: $149.95
LCD Hoods & Protective Coverings
Show more >Shield your camcorder from unwanted glare and wet/extreme conditions.
- Price: $18.50
Underwater & Night Vision
Capture great-looking footage underwater or in the dark.
- Price: $3,499.00
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