Product ReviewsPanasonic AG-HMC40 Camcorder -

Panasonic AG-HMC40 Pro Cam

This Panasonic AG-HMC40 Pro HD camera is awesome. You can choose 9 different Hi-Def modes and it is a broadcast full HD quality. Whether you are a news journalist, a wedding videographer, wildlife videographer, small or big projects, this videocam is a pro and the price is just within range. Editing> I am using an Adobe- premiere CS5, and an Intensity Pro HDMI converter card and works perfect! I would recommend a Quad-Core AMD processor desk top PC. You don't need to use the PH mode because you have to downgrade the videos to DVD quality. I use only HG mode (13mbps) 1920x1080(60i) more than good enough for my high speed editing.
Cons: XLR mic adaptor is required, directional mic or wireless mic is required for interviews.

Manual focus and manual iris and tele-wide zoom swing switch is great.
I do graduation, wedding,documentary, concert videos etc.
The features of this Panasonic Pro-Cam is more than its price, I'm giving my thumbs up.

I have a great experience with this handy-compact pro videocam.

> 135deltaRead full review...

Panasonic AG-HMC45 / AG-HMC40 AVCCAM

So you can buy the Panasonic AG-HMC45, which is the Tokyo version of the AG-HMC40 American model. The HMC45 is the identical camera, except that it has a switchable English or Japanese menu, and is made at the Hong Kong factory. Exact same quality. So I bought the "grey market" version and saved a few hundred bucks. You don't get the three year warranty, but Panasonic is giving a three year warranty only because this model is bullet proof. It weighs 2.2 pounds, no ancient digital tapes, no delicate hard drives. The only motor is a tiny one that pulls the zoom lens glass internally. The fully coated Leica glass is razor sharp, and the view screen is small at 2.7 inches on a largish camera, but it swivels all the way up and down 180 degrees so you can easily take shots on the ground or in crowds over you head with no problem. The XLR dual mic attachment is an accessory, but I didn't need it, and bought a high quality Rhodes stereo mic. The pin plug input is good enough for me, a casual user. If I had to make a living with it, I would opt for the heavy duty imputs. The eye cup is for right eyed people only, so I found a great heavy duty fabric one on Ebay. At only a couple hundred more than a 240gb consumer model, this prosumer model has several commercial features including color bars and zebra. There is audio and video gain, all manors of exposure controls. The images in good lighting can't be distinguished from those of a 5 thousand dollar camera. It uses the mini chipsets from the Lumix DSLR, so the low lux images do not have the pinache of a 3ccd 1/3" model. Raising the video gain in low light degrades the image, so you either use a longer exposure to let more light in, or use an on camera variable LED photo lamp for the dimly lit stuff. This was the major thing they skimped on to get the low price point. THis camera is not first choice for doing video by candlelight, but with 1080 hi def lighting is everything. You can do an entire day of shooting with the expensive jumbo battery, and a few high capacity SDHC chips in your pocket.
My only legitimate complaint is that they designed a miniature battery to throw in with camera to keep the price down. It is a joke. You either have to buy a couple standard sized batteries, or the jumbo all day model that stick out of the camera a bit. That is why the viewfinder slides backwards to deal with that issue. The viewfinder image is really small, and is only usefull when you are shooting in bright sunlight, or need to conserve battery power. You can turn the brightness on the screen up really high to cope with most situation. Pros complain that this model does not have the dozens of button the the double priced cameras do, and choices of 14 functions must be assigned to User 1, 2 and 3 buttons, or most everything can be set on the touchscreen which is easy to do. Pros don't like toughscreens, but People who own Iphones and Androids should find this simple to use. There are enough controls to get beautiful exposures that are of broadcast quality. Solid state cameras are favorites in arctic and jungle conditions. There is less to go wrong. Even though the camers is as big a a dslr with a big lens, it is only half the weigh. It takes 10.6 megapixel hi def stills. I think I read it will take 5,780 highest quality still on one 32gb sdhc card. With its ten to one zoom, and myriads of on camera exposure controls, its not bad fixedRead full review...

Greatest little professional camera around

I really like this video camera. I was originally looking at the AG-HMC150 before this one came out. This one has basically the same features but just smaller sensors. It has a better price point for me. I'm impressed with the ease of operation and the amount of features it has. The battery life could be longer so you'll most likely need to purchase an expensive extended battery for longer shoots. I also wish you could take pictures while filming instead having to completely switch modes. Overall, this is a great video camera at a decent value and it packs a mighty punch!Read full review...

Low Cost, Rugged HD Pro Camera

This is the 3rd of these camera's I've purchased, and all are just excellent for HD video. They've been used for family events, international travel, weddings, many hockey games in cold ice rinks, ice shows, and recording classical orchestra performances. I bought this one to provide common video files for my Premiere Pro software editor for multi-camera shoots. This used camera arrived in good condition, and has proved an excellent purchase from Adorama. They delivered the camera on time within a couple of days.
If someone is seeking a relatively low priced, high quality prosumer camera, this AG-HMC40 is an excellent choice. Although it is no longer sold by Panasonic, as they are phasing over to 4K, treated with care, these are tough little workhorses with a lot of flexibility.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: adorama-trade

For the price, I don't think you can beat this

Decided to purchase the AG-HMC40 after carefully considering the JVC GY-HM100U. Have historically been anti-Panasonic, favoring JVC and Sony cameras. But reading tons of reviews and looking through lots of comparisons, the Panasonic won out this time. I must say, after just a little bit of time with it... I'm impressed. Are there drawbacks? Sure. Lowlight performance are the ones I hear most often, but I'm here to tell you that in 1080i/60 mode the signal is VERY good, even in near darkness. Drop to 720/60p and you will notice a little more pixelation, but from a couch it is not intrusive. Given that you can pick these up brand new for $1700, and less on ebay, you just can't go wrong. If you're a Final Cut Pro user and need continuous shooting with hot-swap SD cards, the JVC may be better suited for you, plus you get the built-in XLR for about $1000 more. But to save $1000, and sacrifice a little speed in post, that's the sweet spot for the AG-HMC40.Read full review...

Good Camera for the money

Great camera for the money with many options. Lightweight and easy to use. Great starter camera for someone turning into a pro videographer or as a back up camera. Will take up to 32g card. Nice strong handle. I have an XLR adapter and an On-Camera Monitor on mine. I have it on a Davis & Sanford Provista 7518 Tripod with FM18 Head and a universal dolly. I also have a Libec ZFC-5HD remote. With the lightweight camera, it is easily balanced and rarely needs locking to hold a shot even at an incline. The setup looks good, works well and is easy to handle.Read full review...

Just what I needed. Thanks.

Thank you for rushing the camera to me for this weekend shoot. It is in great condition with half the hours I have on my same miss-functioning camera. Now to find a Hood for it. I thought I could use mine, but it is glued onto the camera.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: compasstrading

Panasonic AVCCAM AG-HMC40

Very light, display screen bright even in sunlight. 3 weddings and a Bat Mitzvah since purchased and worked flawlessly. Will purchase 2nd or larger capacity battery. A 16GB SDHC card will work longer than I need. Would be in the market for a 2nd AG-HMC40 next year.Read full review...

It is a very good camera and easy to use, recommended for use by video and

It is a very good camera and easy to use, recommended for use by video and for almost all types of projects.

Very light and budget oriented

This is a great budget camera with professional settings.
Ideal for events videography as well web live transmission.
It is very light, so you can work with the camera in your hands for hours without fatigue.
The optional audio XLR adapter is a must have item so you can have balanced audio and a directional mic attached.Read full review...