Small Camera Big Picture

The Panasonic AG-HMC40 is a compact camcorder that packs a professional punch

By Barry Green

The HMC40 is Panasonic’s latest AVCCAM camcorder, an entry-level professional unit that records in the AVCHD format to regular SDHC memory cards. At a suggested retail price of $2,295 ($1,995 estimated street price), it’s even less expensive than the standard-def Panasonic DVX100B, but it’s jam-packed with features. These include a... Read more

HD In Real Time

JVC GY-HM100U and GY-HM700U camcorders capture unique shots for FOX’s 24

By Jeffrey Nielsen

If you were to visit the set of a prime-time network show, you would probably find top-of-the-line digital cinematography cameras or film cameras in use. But some producers and cinematographers find innovative ways to use low-cost equipment, such as on the current season of FOX’s 24, now in production. The gear in question is JVC’s GY-HM100U... Read more

Converging Lines

Where still and motion photography meet

By Dan Brockett

You’d think that the convergence of still and motion photography has always been inevitable. Up until recently, though, even with the proliferation of digital still cameras and digital HD cameras, the lines between still and motion cameras were still drawn in the sand. Other than the relatively low-quality "movie modes" typically seen... Read more

Testing The Limits

Organized by the Producers Guild of America and the American Society of Cinematographers, the Camera Assessment Series analyzes top-notch HD cameras

By Simon Wakelin

An unprecedented event occurred a few months ago at the Universal Studios lot in Burbank, Calif. The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) teamed up with the Producers Guild of America (PGA) to test eight professional cameras, together for the first time, to better understand the benefits of today’s digital camera systems. "The entire... Read more