Panasonic Showcase Camera Technology For Wildlife Film Making

Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions is set to make a host of unique and exciting announcements to the wildlife videography and film making industry at Wildscreen Festival in Bristol.
Amongst the announcements will be news about Panasonic ProAV camera solutions provided for the creation of Disneynature’s Chimpanzee with a special sponsored screening of the new film in association with Panasonic scheduled for Sunday 14th October, the opening day of Wildscreen
Along with the Disneynature announcement will be news about the use of Panasonic ProAV camera equipment in Antarctica, a region of the world where Panasonic camera technology has been used before to create pioneering nature films such as the BBC’s Frozen Planet.
A Wildscreen Festival Session called ‘An Audience with Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ is scheduled for Thursday 18th October from 1pm to 2pm in Watershed Cinema 1.
In the session Ranulph Fiennes will inform attending delegates about the challenges and goals of the latest expedition. As the official technology partner, Panasonic will be making information available about their support of the epic Antarctic eco survey which has been named; ‘The Coldest Journey’. In the expedition Fiennes and his team will attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter and, having never having been attempted before, if successful will achieve a new world record. The mission will mean covering 2,000 miles of Antarctica and Panasonic has supplied its ProAV cameras, Toughbook rugged computers and LUMIX and LUMIX-G digital camera equipment to collect and transmit both scientific data and captivating images of Antarctica to the rest of the world. Another key goal of the expedition will be to collect information about the condition of the Antarctica’s ice and provide invaluable insight to those studying the effects of global warming.
Along with the latest application stories that reveal how Panasonic ProAV camera equipment is used across the globe by nature film makers will be a Panasonic exhibition stand which will be used to demonstrate the latest Panasonic broadcast cameras including; AJ-HPX3100, AG-HPX600 and the handheld AG-HPX250.
The AG-HPX3100 2/3-type P2 HD Camera Recorder has high-end performance in a compact and lightweight design and brings a new level of mobility to nature documentary and production. Featuring a new body design has a low centre of gravity for added stability and gives an unobstructed view to both sides. Weighing in at only about 3.9 kg and with two P2 card slots close to where the main controls are the camera has excellent mobility characteristics and is easy to operate. A 2.2 megapixel 2/3 type 3CCD and the AVC-Intra codec enable AJ-HPX3100 to records in broadcast quality Full-HD video with 1920 x 1080 resolutions.
Using 10 bit/4:2:2 sampling and with a high sensitivity of F11 (60i) or F12 (50i) at 2,000 lx and low noise with a 59 dB S/N ratio to assure the level of recording quality that is demanded for broadcasting and video production. AJ-HPX3100 has also dramatically reduced power consumption as compared with the conventional model, thus improving mobility and helping to protect the environment. The optional AJ-WM30 wireless module when combined with the optional AJ-GPS910G GPS unit can record GPS information including latitude, longitude and altitude as UMID metadata enabling data to be transmitted wirelessly and stored along with other metadata helping facilitate the management of clips and providing faster search and sorting capability.
Both the AJ-HPX3100 and AJ-HPX600 will be feeding images to BT-LH1860 monitor and also on the Panasonic stand will be the high performance and rugged Full-HD IPS BT-LH2170 LCD Video Monitor which provides nature film makers with excellent cost versus performance. The BT-LH2170 LCD video monitor incorporates the 3D-LUT colour correction. The monitor is a favourite amongst film makers working in challenging conditions and features a rugged die cast aluminium body and DC power capability together with versatile assist functions such as a Y MAP display, Zebra display, and dual-window display.
Whilst shoulder mounted and handheld cameras are the main focus at Wildscreen Festival, Panasonic will also exhibit AW-HE60 the latest Full-HD integrated pan and tilt HD/SD camera capable of IP image monitoring when positioned remotely. The camera uses 1/3-Type Full-HD MOS Sensor and has an 18x optical zoom lens and importantly for nature film making incorporates infrared night mode.
Also being exhibited is the AG-HPX600, a new P2 HD camcorder with 10-bit, 4:2:2 AVC-Intra recording and the lowest weight of any 2/3 type shoulder-mount unit. Weighing less than 3Kg and using low power, the HPX600 incorporates a newly-developed 2/3 type MOS sensor to produce beautiful HD and SD images. The HPX600 is upgradeable as new functionality becomes available, such as LiveU integrated camera mobile connectivity.
The BBC HD approved Panasonic AG-HPX250 will also be at the Panasonic stand. The ultra-portable handheld camera features 10-bit, 4:2:2 independent frames, full 1920 x 1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording. This is an unprecedented level of image quality in a lightweight camera, weighing just 5.5 pounds. The HPX250 incorporates high-sensitivity 1/3”, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers and a 20-bit Digital Signal Processor to acquire breathtaking native 1920 x 1080 resolution images.
Panasonic and Films@59 have announced a competition called FOCUS 12 with full details available on the Wildscreen website, the festival will be a place to meet both Films@59 and Panasonic and members of the competition judging panel. With the deadline for registering interest already having passed, competition registrants are reminded that their films should be submitted by the 22nd October.
Finally, following this recent exciting announcement about the release of LUMIX GH3, the most powerful and versatile DSLM interchangeable lens camera that features incredible video and picture quality, a special appearance of the camera is expected on the Panasonic stand. Visitors will learn how the GH3 has been designed to offer expert control for videographers and photographers alike, delivering crisp images and videos with a 16.05-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the processing power of Venus Engine. This announcement is expected to excite film makers seeking multiple high-quality video file outputs including MP4, MOV and AVCHD. Ready for adventure, from filming a remote village to shooting insects under the darkness of the jungle canopy, the lightweight and compact LUMIX GH3 is weather sealed and ready to take on the challenges of nature film making and photography.
Join Panasonic from the 15th to 19th October to find out more about all of these exciting announcements and more.
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