Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

Gr8 camera! Words have no meaning when pictures result in these images. wow! really love this camera!

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

We're making the tranistion to tapeless workflow. The HMC 80 does everything we need at a resonable price. Great video and audio. Wish we had manual control over the ND filter but that hasn't presented a problem. Like most HD, you'll need a lot of light.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

We bought this Camcorder for use in our Broadcast Journalism Program and it is exactly what we needed at an exceptional price. The Camcorder is a professional model and has all of the functions we were looking for. I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking Pro Level Recording.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

We've used Panasonic products since the 1980's and love the quality, performance, reliability etc. Reading about the 80, it looked great on paper. However, the camera is not good at all in anything but bright light. The 80 put's out an incredible picture when you have ton's of light. One of our tests, we shot an hour before sunset, the light was golden and the picture quality was unbelievable at this price point. Think long and hard what you will use this camera for. If you are shooting Corporate,Weddings,sports anything professional, bring numerous lights. We were amazed how at a football game, with stadium lighting, this camera's auto gain is at
18db !(just to get a useable image ) We almost never use 18 db gain. Furthermore, the image from the top of the press box was NOT razor sharp. Outside in tons of light, close up, you'll get a great looking picture.
We all loved the XLR, card slot, ( tapeless ) size (Shoulder mount ) etc... The lens was not what we expected but think about the price point. Overall, it's a good camera if you have ton's of light. We sent it back and traded it in for a Panasonic 370. At about 3 times the price we feel we made a great choice. Thanks B&H for your return policy. The 370 works much better for us !

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I have been working with the Panasonic AG-HMC series for over a year. The HMC40 and HMC150 are excellent camcorders for wedding and event coverage. I just recently added the High Def or Standard Def versatile HMC80 to my unit and I love it!!!! The HD and Standard Def quality are superb with great color and image control. Everything is user friendly and easy to understand and is all done at a fair price. I highly recommend this series to any serious event videographer in business!!! Thank you Panasonic for giving me these tools to run a successful wedding video business.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I use this camera for event videography (mostly weddings).
I get excellent HD quality picture with a lot of light. This camera is not that good in low light. What I use it for usually requires a certain amount of light so it wasn't an issue with me as much. I have other cameras with better low light sensitivity. I wanted an excellent HD quality camera with all the goodies you find in more expensive cameras at the lowest cost possible. I found the Panasonic AG-HMC80 easy to use and not that complicated to maneuver through all the settings. One thing that bothers me right now, is trying to get use to holding this camera on my shoulder using my right eye in the viewfinder. The sound quality is great with the XLR inputs. I suggest using the XLR inputs over the built in mic. Overall, it's a great HD camera with excellent picture & sound quality for a good price.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I primarily use this camera for ENG style shooting and it works great. So here's the good and the inconvenient (I hesitate to use the word "bad")

THE GOOD
- SDHC; No more tapes or heads to clean!!!!
- Outputs/Inputs/Jacks for just about everything (HDMI, TC, USB 2, Mic, Remote, ect...)
- 1080i, 1080p, 720i
- Prerec
- Light but solid construction
- Switch from avchd - dv and manual-auto at the flip of a switch

THE INCONVENIENT
- If you rec in one mode then switch to another (ie 1080-720) you can only watch the one that your cam is currently set to in Playback; it does not change automatically you must exit Playback and change the setting manually.
- Navigating the in-camera menu

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

this is a very nice camcorder in its class
very sharp video and pictures
thank you BH !!!

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I perform graphic design, photography, video and multi-media content for economic development, recruitment and visitor attractions. I needed a camera that would support all of the types of work I do, not just videography. I purchased two of these units and so far, I am very impressed. I needed the XLR microphone inputs for wireless systems I use, and I have combined these units with a Nikon D90 system and a Bowen Flash system that have powerful enough modeling quartz lighting that I am able to use the umbrella units as lighting for the video work I do. Love the functions though still have a lot to learn about the individual camera's function. Paired the cameras with Panasonic shotgun condenser mics, UV filters and screw-on wide-angle lens. Adding a boom system for one of the cameras later in June for overhead shots. Wanted to eliminate the long transfer times of other types of video with digitally recorded video. The HQ SD card system looks to be the perfect choice. Like the larger camera body for tripod work and frankly for looks vs. a small body camera when it comes to client reaction - to an knowledgeable client, bigger looks more professional; smaller equals consumer grade. Using a custom designed PC with Adobe CSS5.5 Production Suite for editing. I expect great things!!!!

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

How you use the product -

I use this product for video production weddings, cable tv, and promos for web, -

Things that are great about it -

well, it was kinda easy to use if you have had some experience shooting before, i have used the DVX and the HVX. so this camera was about getting used to a few things in different places and a few extra whistles on it.

the camera auto focus works well i ended up using it for about 3 hours of a shoot this weekend and the shots look more in focus than some of the shots i was doing with manual. this is not to say you should use the auto focus most of the time i was in a place that was very crowded and was having to get shots quick.

i would apply that to the auto iris and i did find myself jumping back and forth between the auto and manual iris a lot it was just a press of a button,

i did like the slow zoom and a lot of little features in the camera i am still finding

90 % of the footage i have shot looks good to better than good, i did spent some time tweaking the settings as i went along from shoot to shoot and i suspect that when i get used to the camera i can get the footage to look even better. and i would certainly invest in decent lights an average package or even the camera mounted packages help tremendously especially if you can get creative with very little light.

low light footage, i did like the fact that i shot in low light and was able to use the settings to keep some of grain out of the footage! this was a problem i had with another camera and reading the book that came with the camera was very very useful in getting started and kept me from having to make a mistake to learn what i did wrong in the past,

audio sounds decent and very usable from the camera i did buy a nice mounted mic and only have had a couple hours of use from it so far and the mounted mic is better sounding but the camera mic is still better sounding than past cameras that i remember ...

there are other nice to great things about the camera you need to get in there and find them !! - i do think it was well worth the cost - point after i got the camera i started to get work by just having it.

the big view finder ... i thought looked gaudy but after shooting for half a day i was very happy with it and glad to have it -

Things that aren't so great about it

the camera hood comes off to easily - i was shooting and about to get knocked by some drunken wedding dancers and went to grab the front of my camera and ended up taking the hood off - this goes along with the cheap feel of the camera make out of what seems to be a easy to brake plastic - really though for as much as i paid for it would have like a better construction

the camera comfort level - i am used to the dvx and the hvx cameras my hands know where to hold it and use it, the AG HMC80 is shoulder mounted and the controls seem to be in awkward places and holding it seemed uncomfortable it actually took me a few hours into the shoot to get a good fix on where to put my hands and get to the buttons quickly -

also know that the camera is really not that comfortable on the shoulder and is a little from heavy and can lean to one side - i think the camera should have been balanced a bit better - note, while using this camera on a hand held mono pod the camera took extra effort to keep stable compared to my other dvx and hvx camera - especially if you have a light and a mic planted on the front of your camera for a length of time.

the plastic shoulder pad offers little comfort after hours of operation - it does seem to be replaceable ? to put a better fitting pad in ?

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Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I am very pleased with Panasonic's HMC80. It is operated in a university setting that demands flexibility, portability, and solid design. The image and color quality is superb and you can't beat using the easy access user controls and SDHC cards.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

This is a Very descent camera...I though that for the price I pay I was going to get a cheap plastic camera, but it looks and feels very solid. The biggest plus is all the manual controls...you get focus, iris + assignable user menus and a lot more...You don't have to stop recording or looking at the lcd to make adjustments.Shooting in low light conditions is always challenging when working with small cmos chips, but if you understand that you will prepare for it...I just shot a school play with really low lighting conditions, the picture came out pretty good...just by playing with the Iris. Also, I picked up a Led light for when things get really dark.The camera comes with pretty good documentation, read it and you'll get the best of your camera. The 3 year warranty it's a big plus. Hopefully I'll get the free remote and carrying case offer soon, since I purchased the camera before March 31st.The sound is average, a good thing is the volume nub to adjust the headphones, the 1/8" or 3.5mm stereo plug at the front and the ability to combine a XLR mic with the cameras front mic wich you can set individually for ambience if you want.The ability to record to SDHC cards makes my live easier, I don't think I'll go back to miniDVs again...the SD card and the footage work perfectly with Final Cut Pro and to make things better, Panasonic has a number of programs for example SD viewer that you can download for free and that works with both platforms (Windows/Mac). I'm using a SDHC, 24mbps Class 10 card and the results have been flowless....Don't get anything under a Class 10 card, even though it is suppose to work with a Class 6 SD card.The Choice of formats is also great...I think this the only camera in the HMC family that records in DV format. In the HD format you can record in 1080/60i,1080/24P, 720/60P,...and so on totallying around 11 different flavors.Bottom line it is an excellent camera at an excellent price, with professional features. Bought it from B&H, [...], great price as always. stay away from reconditioned stuff other sellers have, just to save a few bucks...You'll regret it.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

Love the light weight, love the AVCCAM-avchd files all saved to my 32gig SDHC card! Love the tapeless workflow, full manual, or auto, iris very useful.

Not bad OIS...not shaky - but could be better... good cameraman's skills will help. ^_^

Sound - Xlrs pro sound also has an 1/8 inch jack near the front for alternate mics. very useful options for some situations.

Having the Lcd recessed in the viewfinder also doubles as a shade in the sun... so well thought out!

The look of the lens has that TV Broadcast narrow depth of field effect... because it is! Rack focus easily, nice zoom when you need it, can be switched to the focus ring for fast moving zoom shots.

All in all, I give it an A+ Easily editable by Final Cut Studio, Premiere and Sony Vegas 10.. nice.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

The teacher at Tyner Academy is very pleased to get the camcorders.

When he opened the box everything was great!!!

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

Here is an interesting camera that fills a niche that other cameras can't- you can shoot full HD, or shoot in SD on to SDHC cards. The SD mode captures files that use the pervasive DV codec, so most NLEs will ingest it with complete ease- you can just log & capture via the firewire port. I work in an educational setting where SD is still necessary, but HD is coming in- so this camera bridges the gap flawlessly. For co-workers who need the old and familiar, I shoot miniDV style with a flip of the switch. When I want to stretch my horizons, I just throw her into AVCHD mode and record incredible video. The one downside is that the small CMOS imagers need SOOOO much light. Shoot outside, with a light (kit), you're going to get great video. The camera does try to rectify its' light shortcomings by making some of the most usable high-gain (still very workable at 12 db) footage you'll see from practically any camera.
This camera is larger and heavier than I expected- knowing that it is a stable-mate to the AG-HMC40. The mass and weight will help with shots off the shoulder (when used with the OIS). Professionals will have no problem getting lots of use out a camera like this.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I use this product for a variety of jobs, as a workhorse camera. Overall, it is a great camera with very few things I dislike. I was going to buy an Af-100, but all the footage did not look very good to my eye. I test shot with an Af-100 and HMC-80 and chose this camera because the image had better, much better, color and a lot of the features where still there but for 2,000 dollars less. I don't regret buying this camera and I'm sure it will not be replaced for a long time.
Pros-
The shape of the body and button layout is excellent. I love shoulder mount camera and this was the biggest selling point. The custom buttons and videoscope are great tools to have. The auto function for sound works really well, surprisingly well for auto. The auto iris is not as good, but the focus and white balance system are very accurate.
The price is ridiculously cheap for what you get. The image quality is very good, color, sharpness, and noise levels are all good. It is not as bad in low light as most people say, you simply have to set a scene file that crushes the blacks so that noise is not visible. There are many inputs on this camera, it is vary similar to an ENG camera, it just lacks the expanded options and inputs. There is enough here for anyone working independent and it is best for small business owners.
The workflow is great in FCP. I don't want to edit AVCHD, I want Prores. I love AVCHD to prores, it is great. I did a dance recital last winter, this codec held motion really well and resolved a lot of detail.

The cons-
Compressed sound. You can hear the difference with some recordings. There is not a large drop in range, but enough to ward you away from using it as a primary recorder when doing projects where it counts.
You can't load more than 2 scene files, you have to restart the camera when switching between them, and you have to input all options manually. This really slows down production. When I shoot a documentary I run into many different environments back to back, it would be nice to have a tog wheel similar to the 150 so that I cold switch profiles.
Automatic ND filter instead of a switch. That is not cool. Especially since you can't put on filters without removing the matte box, and then you will get flares from the multiple element lens. This is a shame, a real disadvantage.
No gain switch or white balance switch. The white balance uses a button, not a easy to switch between or set. The gain is automatic when you tog the iris wheel down below open. This is okay, I wouldn't want gain anyway, but it does take the option out of your hands.
SD cards. Ick, tiny, slow, and expensive. Give me CF or P2. And this camera only has one slot, with two you could record until full and not have to stop what you're doing to take out the card and put in a new one. But, with 7 hr. record times on a 32 GB card, it rarely will be a problem.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

AVCHD OR SD DV super-sharp image quality!!! And best of all both can record on SD Cards! Totally Tapeless...Awesome!

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

It"s a good camcorder for any live event, document reel and for weddings.
If you this type of work or hobby you'll love this camcorder. Not to pricy for very quality image.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

Just got the camera , but so far it works great.

Comments about Panasonic AG-HMC80 3MOS AVCCAM HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder:

I narrowed it down to 5 cameras, and I'm glad I went with HMC80, I'm so in love with HD now and this seemed like the latest camera for the price.