I have been informed that the Panasonic AG-AC160 is due to arrive next week and I should get a camera to review soon, the one thing that struck me about the 160 during IBC was the quality of the picture.

Since the AF101 Panasonic have been listening to their end users and producing a cracking range of non shoulder mount camcorders from the 10bit 4:2:2 250 down to the AVCCAM AC-130. We are now being treated to camcorders that are fit for purpose rather than those teetering on the edge of even being semi professional.

The AC160 sits plumb in the middle and is the most sought after at it’s price point of £3000 plus 20% vat and the major fact that it by passes the expensive P2 card system that the 250 uses.

With the 160 you get a lot of camera for your money here are just a few of it’s highlights…

1. AVCHD in PH mode 21 Mbps (VBR)

2. 22x optical zoom lens f1.6-3.2 (35mm conversion = 28mm – 616mm)

3. Synchro scan

4. SDHC (4-32GB) and SDXC cards (48-2TB)

5. Dual system 50 or 59.94 Hz

6. Interval recording

7. Variable frame rate plus over and under cranking

8. Linear PCM 2ch sound or Dolby Digital

9. SDI and HDMI out

10. 2 XLR 3 pin connectors for sound I/P

11. 2 card slots allow simultaneous recording

The 160 is packed with features from the manual aperture 22x lens to the ability to record dual memory cards at the same time all for the sum of £3000 plus vat.

I hope to get one next week and put it through it’s paces including a look at the camcorders low light capabilities.