[John Stephens]

It would sure make sense that an update to the 500 is the way Panasonic will go. There is a big hole in the middle of their line-up . I can only hope that they stay aggressive on price. Any thoughts on time table ? I hope it is not a wait until NAB deal.

[John Stephens]

You got it ….. a 500A.

Just in case Panasonic is watching …….. I did a demo of the HPX-300 and for the price B&H currently has posted, the camera is worth every penny. It would be a good B camera, but not the primary camera for a full-time producer.

There was just something missing in the quality of the image. Maybe a setup from Roger Macie can improve it. His setup on our Sony D600 Beta SP is clearly responsible for the beautiful look of that aging camera.

I am also slightly concerned about the build quality of the HPX-300. Our camera works a minimum of 3 days per week. The 300 is not going to stand up to that kind of use.

Here is what I will buy tomorrow. The impressive electronics and viewfinder of the 300, but with 2/3” or 1/2″ chips. The bigger clips will improve the image quality and low-light performance. The camera body will get slightly larger, but not as big or as heavy as the 500. I guess I can live with the two slots, but remember the proxy card will take a slot.

Price will naturally be higher than the 300. But if Panasonic wants a big hit, 25% more would be great. And please give us the option to buy a real lens. We have all made the mistake of buying a cheap promotional lens, only to replace it with real glass less than a year later.

Panasonic are you watching ? We are ready to buy.

[John Stephens]

I have one final question in my quest to compare HPX300 vs. HPX500 for future purchase.

I noticed that the 500 does not offer AVC-Intra or Proxy, even with the add in card the HPX300 takes. But the 300 supports AVC Intra natively and Proxy with the add in card. Is this up to date information ? Would the Proxy feature on a 500 SD card work if you used the added the process card in on of the 500’s 4 slots ?

Since AVC Intra does have some real advantages as does the Proxy, the lack of these features does seem to make the HPX 500 a bit behind the times. Future upgrade ?

[John Stephens]

I have one final question in my quest to compare HPX300 vs. HPX500.

I noticed that the 500 does not offer AVC-Intra or Proxy, even with the add in card the HPX300 takes. But the 300 supports AVC Intra natively and Proxy with the add in card. Is this up to date information ? Would the Proxy feature on a 500 SD card work if you used the added the process card in on of the 500’s 4 slots ?

Since AVC Intra does have some real advantages as does the Proxy, the lack of these features does seem to make the HPX 500 a bit behind the times. Future upgrade ?

[John Stephens]

As I research the HPX500 and HPX300, I notice that the 500 does not offer AVC-Intra or Proxy, even with the add in cards. But the 300 supports AVC Intra natively and Proxy with the add in card. Is this up to date information ?

Since AVC Intra does have some real advantages as does the Proxy, the lack of these features does seem to make the HPX 500 a bit behind the times.

[John Stephens]

I saw your Panasonic trade in post. Do they offer a like deal on any other models ? 2000 ?

[John Stephens]

Our local dealer stocks the 300 but not the 500, so we can’t see side by side.

Our challenge is how our business has evolved in the past 15 years. We compete in two markets. For a long time the D600 was the ticket for entry in a Beta SP town. Top of the line glass and a Macie setup and we were golden. Today we compete against 100B and 200A on lower-end SD projects, so we bought a 100B. Love it. Use it on SD projects all the time where we mix 100B on b-roll and D600 on stand-ups. For higher-end projects we rent a 3000.

Time to lay down on the couch.

We have decided to go all P2, but still see two-level (3 really) camera offering. 100B for single-man lower-end work, Beta SP for those few clients who still demand a tape right out of the camera and a rented 2000 or 3000 for high-end projects. What is missing for us is the workhorse in the middle that the D600 used to fill. (Once the D600 requires over $2K of service it is toast). The tough question …… is that work-horse a 300 or 500 ?

When using 2000 or 3000 we shoot -3. Both are much better better at 0 than D600 at low-light. 100B is +3 in same situation. But there is an obvious better look with 2000. Part of the challenge is that light sensitivity is more important on lower-end work. Usually use Arri 200 Pocket par HMI on high-end projects.

Do you have any information of users who have bought HPX500 and used top quality (ten year old) broadcast glass for SD work ? Is that a valid compromise in a cost driven situation ?