Anyone know about this? Lightweight: awesome. Professional quality: what I'm looking for. AVCHD: I'm willing to settle on it even though I know it's super-compressed.

Low-light performance: what my HDC-SD100 SUCKS at!

Any advice? I'm looking for an entry-level professional camera between $2000 - $3000. THe smaller the better, I am on the street and in the hood and need to be as low-key as possible.

Have a look at the new JVC before you spend your money. It's smaller, shoots to SDHC cards but shoots the same format as the Sony EX1. You don't have to transcode it to edit. Cheaper than the Panasonic as well from what we understand so far.

Might be just the ticket for you.

I think it’ll get released for around $3,000 to $3,500 but so far JVC have quoted the price to $4,000. Amazon has the HMC150 for $3,200.

If you've got a computer that can handle AVCHD, then have at it with the 150. Nice camera. But you'll need a hot twin dual core a a modest twin quad to work with that stuff anywhere near real time. And a nice graphics card would be a good bet too.

Or you can get the other camera and cut on a laptop like I do.

Best of luck.

the HMC150 is like the upgrade of the DVX100. If you can afford it I would get it.

Played with it a week ago and it's amazing! Only advice, like Perrone said, make sure your editing system is up to par. Other than that, you won't be disappointed.

Didn't they just announce an HMC300? I might be misremembering, but in the last day or so I think I saw an announcement.

You probably meant the HPX300 which is a $8,500 shoulder mounted camera that’s in a completely different league than the HMC150.

Anyone tested a Class 4 sdhc card with the HMC150? I'm about to buy one myself and want to make sure it can handle class 4...the 32gb class 6 cards cost much more. thanks.

The Sandisk Ultra cards will be fine. They are faster than most class 6 cards. We use them in the EX1, which has a higher data rate than the HMC150.

I have the Panasonic AG-HMC 150 and it SUCKS in low light. The settings suck too...can anyone help please? Thank you.

Well, using "Sucks" as a problem description, you're probably not going to get much meaningful help. Maybe you could be a bit more descriptive. What "settings" are you using? Are you shooting progressive or interlaced. What aperature? What shutter speed? How much light are you talking about when you say low light? Etc.

And Thanapaulis Films, I have the Panasonic AG-HMC150 and it is the best camera I have ever used in low light. In fact, because it takes in light so well I have to over use the ND filter outside constantly.

Like Perrone said, be specific about what settings you are using and we can help. The AG HMC150 is made for low light situations, so I am surprised you are having difficulty.

I have to say the HMC150 is very impressive. They just bought eight of them in our film department and I've been very impressed with the image quality. It looks like 1 gig per minute, which is a LOT better compression rate than HDV, which is what I own. The color tones are nice and the HD is workable when it comes to making it look more like film. If you showed me HVX footage HMC footage, I honestly couldn't tell you the difference. It's also super light and the batteries last a long time. Worked well with my buddy's Letus 35 adapter.

I guarantee you it's not a gig a minute. There is nothing in the consumer realm that records 60GB per hour.

My 32gb SDHC card gives me 191 minutes at the highest bitrate (average 21mbps but gets up to 24mbps a lot).

The AVCHD compression is amazing, however, and they say that even at 13mbps AVCHD is better than HDV full.

I will buy another Pana AG HMC150 when the budget allows. It is so versatile...weddings are a breeze with it and short films and commercials at 1080 24p look like they were shot on a 15,000 camera. What else is there? Don't tell me Sony.

Ok, I won't tell you Sony. (Pssst. The Sony EX looks AMAZING for it's price though...).

LOL!

i just bough the ag-hmc and i have some trouble to get the files out off my camera. my computer seems to not reconnize the file
can you give me tips on how to transfer the files for my camera to my editing software wich is premiere cs3?

I would get this camera in a heartbeat in this price range. There seems to have been a near conspiracy against AVCHD in pro circles over the last few years for whatever reason. At 21mbps I don't think the quality card holds much weight. You can split hairs but it should be just as good as HDV at two thirds and certainly equal data rates. Yes, it requires a faster machine but there are also loss less intermediaries that work great. If you absolutely can't spare a few extra hours (time is money as they say) then maybe there is an argument for HDV.

I need help! I just got the AG-HMC150P and i`m having trouble shooting in low light , I`m getting alot of noise and fuzz. I`m a stringer and work nights so i`m always in low light shoots. I shoot mostly in 1080/60i. I`ve tried messing around with different settings but i am still having the trouble. My other camera is the Canon HF S10 and i get good clear images in low light with the AGC to the max. I know this camera is a hell of a lot more different than the S10. Any suggestions for what settings i should use in low light conditions at fires and auto accidents or just low light conditions period.

Is there any way to make this files smaller. 1gb per minute is too much, isn't it? The computer responds well to this Apple pro res but as I need to shoot long sequences it demands too many room for it. Any suggestions?

Does anyone recommend specific settings to make my footage like more filmlike? I am shooting 1080 24p but it's still not nearly as beautiful as actual film. Are there filters or anything I can use?

my HMC150p sometimes won't allow me to play back clips to review in camera. it shows the thumbnails, but when i select one, it says, can not play. i thought it might be heat or humidity, but i tried again today and it has been inside an air conditioned room for hours, still same thing. finally i got it to play. Anyone experience this? solutions?

Can anyone recommend a laptop to use with this camera?

I want a PC cause I plan on using Sony Vegas and Abode Premiere Pro with this camera.

If I have to I will use a macbook. But I do pref PC.

Does anyone know if this macbook supports the AG-hmc 150. The Macbook is the

APPLE MACBOOK PRO(15"ML07) CORE 2 DUO 2.2GHZ 4GB-RAM 12 it is a 2007 model.

I can't get my files to show up using the panasonic hmc150p. They show up on my camera but when I put the SD card in my computer the files aren't there.

hey i just bought my hmc 150 and i feel like im getting a grainy image from it all the time what settings should be on to get the best shots!

I've had my hmc150 for about 6 months now and I LOVE it! It makes a great companion to my Canon 60D.
I use log and transfer (which is built into FCP7) or edit the files natively on FCPX. It seems like folks that are having trouble shooting in low light or getting grainy images should check your settings.. if you have the ND on you will definitely have trouble getting proper exposure in low light situations, also remember.. this isn't a night vision camera.. if you want something to look good in the dark.. you will need to light it, which goes for ALL cameras....
For the folks with grainy video.. check to make sure your gain isn't turned on.. if you aren't sure what these settings are.. I would highly suggest you read the owners manual or find someone familiar with using professional video cameras to track down your problems.
This camera has a fantastic sharp image with wonderful color reproduction. You can go into the picture profiles and set it up how you want! I have no trouble editing the video on my base model iMac and macbook..
If you are using an NLE other than FCP than I would find out how to best import the AVCHD files into your system. Most (if not all) will require you to transcode the files before you can edit
Also.. I use class 6 Sandisk Extreme cards without a problem.. and get about 96 minutes per 16gig card.