The Panasonic AJ-PX270 enjoyed immense popularity in the ENG world and now Panasonic has debuted its successor, the AJ-PX230PJ. What’s more, in this growing age of vapour-gear, the camera is available immediately.
Like its predecessor, the PX230 targets broadcast, education, live event and documentary work. In order to streamline design as well as lower cost, the PX230 lacks the networking, proxy shooting and Genlock features found in the PX270.
The camera based around a 1/3” 3-MOS sensor with a fixed 22x zoom lens and OLED viewfinder. It records in 10-bit 1080p AVCpIntra 100 and 200 codecs with 4:2:2 color sampling as well as AVC-LongG50, 25, and 12 still at 10-bit 4:2:2. This makes all available codecs broadcast capable. But for legacy applications, it also records DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV codecs. Recording is to two microP2 cards. It can over/under crank from 1fps to 60fps in 1080p mode.
Panasonic touts variable speed smooth zoom operation. The lens also has separate focus, zoom and manual iris rings. Digital zoom up to 10x allows for the greater reach that ENG shooters require.
Panasonic includes its Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) and Dynamic Range Strech (DRS) technologies as well as an algorithm to reduce flash-band due to the rolling shutter. Both video and film-like gammas are available with seven-mode gamma choices.
I/O ports include dual audio XLR’s. USB 3 (host), USB 2 (device), HDMI out, and SDI out. It is reported to perform well in low light shooting requiring a minimum illumination of .02 lux. Normal gain adjustments range from -3db to +18db with “Super Gain” options of +24, +30 or +36db. Stabilization is via Optical Image Stabilizer and there is a 4-position optical ND controlled by dial.
Suggested list price is $4495 and, as we said, the PX230 is available for immediate shipment.