PLEASE NOTE: This is NTSC camera for North America, not PAL. The Panasonic AG-HMC150 is a camcorder designed to record in high definition on standard SecureDigital (SD) and SHDC memory cards. While SD-based camcorders have been gaining ground in the consumer market, the AG-HMC150 has the ability to record AVCHD images at significantly higher bitrates. This enhancement makes the camera more efficient than comparable HD interframe codecs, such as HDV and XDCAM EX. Using H.264 as its compression algorithm, the camera can record incredibly detailed images at a fraction of the file size. AVC HD At Your Fingertips AVC HD is a variation on the interfame codecs, such as HDV and XDCAM. The advantage is that it uses the standard H.264 compression algorithm, making it highly efficient without sacrificing large portions of memory. This allows the camera to record directly to SD and SDHC media! Good Things Come In Small Packages The AG-HMC150 will feel much like the acclaimed AG-DVX100, as opposed to its more similar and larger cousin, the AG-HVX200. Reducing weight makes the camera easy to hold; at 4.2 lbs the camera is very comfortable on long shoots. SD and SDHC Flash Memory Recording Storage The AG-HMC150 provides AVC HD video in a class of its own. The ability to record up to 24Mb/s onto a single SDHC makes the camera not only incredibly versatile, but allows users to record onto incredibly inexpensive media. Superior Quality Lens The 13x zoom lens system features 13 lens elements in 10 groups, including three aspherical lenses. Panasonic has reduced the front lens element from 67mm on the AG-HVX200 to 53.2mm on the AG-HMC150. The use of low-dispersion glass reduces color aberration while a multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting. Super Sensitive CCDs Each pixel has a large light-receiving area, giving this advanced 1/3" progressive CCD the kind of high sensitivity not available in previous compact HD cameras. This advanced CCD combines with a newly developed 14-bit digital signal processor (DSP) to achieve a balance of high resolution and high S/N ratio that rivals even the most sophisticated HD broadcasting cameras. Advanced Digital Signal Processor The camcorder's advanced digital signal processor uses 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit inner processing to attain unprecedented accuracy. While the camera does not record 1080/60p, it is from this capture that all other signals are made. The DSP performs a variety of adjustments, including eight types of gamma settings, for each of the R, G and B channels. It also converts the signals to HD or SD format. With a performance equivalent to the processors used in many higher-end HD cameras, this DSP helps the camera deliver beautiful images in all video formats. Optical Image Stabilizer The optical image stabilization system ensures glass smooth images even with moderate shaking while shooting hand-held.