The Panasonic AG-AF100A HD Camcorder is an interchangeable-lens camcorder that provides the tools you want in a professional camera. Key features include:

Advanced Features. The Panasonic AG-AF100A offers manual video and audio control, variable frame rates, HD-SDI and HDMI output, XLR inputs, timecode, internal ND filter, waveform and vectorscope display, and a large electronic viewfinder.

Large Image Sensor. It images onto a large, 4/3-type image sensor. At 17mm x 13mm, it’s four times larger than the 2/3-inch chips found in far more expensive cameras. And it’s designed to use interchangeable SLR lenses. So in theory, it provides the best of both worlds: the large sensor of an SLR with all of the tools and connectivity of a pro video camera.

Professional-Grade Camera. The AG-AF100A series has inherited and further advanced the acclaimed functions of the VariCam, which is widely used in producing movies, TV programs, and TV commercials. The new Variable Frame Rate (VFR) function supports Full-HD (1920 × 1080) progressive mode. Armed with a twenty-step undercrank/overcrank function, the AG-AF100 series is capable of producing cinematic images such as a 1/2.5x slow-motion effect and 2x fast-motion effect when played in 24p mode. The AG-AF100A also offers uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit via the HD-SDI port.

SDXC Compatible. This camcorder features two SDXC memory card slots, allowing ample storage space via SDXC memory cards (not included). Other notable features are zebra and color-bar options to aid in shooting, and built-in 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64 ND filtration.

A note about Olympus 4/3 lenses with the AF100A: We recently tested two copies of the same lens on the AF100. One allowed iris control through the camera, one did not. “The lens that doesn’t have iris control must need a firmware update” was our first thought, until we performed the firmware update and were still unable to get the lens to communicate with the camcorder. The point being that we can’t guarantee any Olympus 4/3 lens will communicate with the AF100. Furthermore, with the wide array of lenses available for use on the AF100, we wouldn’t recommend Olympus 4/3 lenses anyway. (This only applies to 4/3 lenses; Olympus Micro 4/3 lenses will work fine.)