Panasonic AVCCAM AG-AC90A User manual

AG-AC90A
Memory Card Camera Recorder
(AG-AC90AEJ, AG-AC90AEN)
*The microphone shown in the photo is an option.
AVCCAM 3-Year Warranty Repair Program*
* AG-AC90A users qualify for a 3-year warranty on repairs.
Visit the website for details: <www.panasonic.biz/sav/pass_e>

Featuring a Wide-Angle/High-Powered Zoom Lens and
High-Sensitivity BSI Type 3MOS Sensors, This Stylish AVCCAM
Includes the Smooth Operation of Triple Manual Rings.
Slide-Retractable LCD Touch Panel
This versatile LCD serves as a high-definition,
approx. 1,152,000 dots monitor and
menu-setting touch panel. When not in use,
it slides into the handle front for extra mobility
and safety. It also rotates 270 degrees
vertically for easy high-angle, low-angle and
self-interview shooting.
Highly Functional Controls
The control panel offers both
multifunctional versatility and easy
operation. Frequently used functions
have large, distinct buttons in an
easy-to-recognize layout. Large
audio level dials are also designed
for both safety and operating ease.
Triple Manual Rings
Focus, zoom and iris rings are positioned on the
lens barrel. This enables speedy and intuitive
camera work.
Large-Capacity Battery
Included
A large-capacity 5,400 mAh battery
comes included, to give you around
6 hours of continuous shooting in PH
mode.
*picture simulated
1

Panasonic’s AG-AC90A AVCCAM combines the high image quality, advanced functions and easy operation that
professionals demand in a stylish, easy-to-handle design. It features an F1.5 lens that extends from 29.8mm wide-angle
to 12x zoom, and high-sensitivity, high-image-quality (backside illumination type) 3MOS image sensors. In addition to
high-quality professional PS/PH mode (1920 x 1080) recording, the AG-AC90A supports PM mode (1280 x 720) and
low-bit-rate CS mode (720 x 576) for delivery over a network. When combined with an Eye-Fi card, it fits right into
production workflows that use networks to transfer data files to PCs and upload to cloud servers. Other professional
operating features include Triple Manual Rings (focus, zoom and iris), XLR Microphone/Audio Inputs, and remote
terminals to provide the system capabilities that professional applications require.
29.8 mm Wide-Angle
12x Zoom
The zoom lens combines
F1.5 (at the widest angle)
high speed and
29.8 mm (35 mm equivalent)
wide-angle with high-
powered 12x optical zooming.
Nano Surface Coating
minimizes ghosts and flaring.
XLR Mic/Line Input
The AG-AC90A comes equipped
with 2-channel XLR audio input
terminals for external mic or line
recording use. It also has a 48 V
phantom power supply.
2

Shooting Angles, Image Quality, Mobility, Operating Ease – No Compromises in This Professional Handheld Model.
29.8mm Wide Angle to 12x Zoom Lens
This high-powered zoom lens can be used in all areas from news
gathering to image production field. It goes from 29.8 mm (35 mm
equivalent) wide-angle to 12x zoom. Panasonic’s unique Nano
Surface Coating minimizes ghosts and flaring, and the high-speed
F1.5 (at the widest angle) enables extremely clear image rendering.
High-Sensitivity BSI Type
3MOS Sensors
Three (RGB) 1/4.7 type MOS image
sensors have an effective pixel count
of 2,680,000 pixels. In addition to high
BSI (backside illumination) sensitivity
and excellent 3MOS colour
reproduction, 4x dense pixel shifting
technology achieves high resolution.
This lets you record high-quality
Full-HD (1920x1080) images even in
dim lighting. The image processing
circuit, which is tuned for professional
use, produces highly natural gradation
and detail.
Three Manual Rings —
Zoom, Focus, Iris
The lens barrel is equipped with manual rings for focus, zoom and
iris to enable speedy and intuitive camera work.
5-Axis Hybrid Hand-Shake Correction
The AG-AC90A features 5-Axis Hybrid OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer/
hand-shake correction). This powerful image stabilizer combines the
advantages of both optical and electronic systems to ensure stable
handheld shooting.
Intelligent Zoom and Digital Zoom
Intelligent Zoom gives you seamless zooming up to 25x magnification
while minimizing decreases in resolution. A 2x/5x/10x Digital Zoom is
also featured. Combining the optical zoom and Intelligent Zoom, this
provides an ultra-telephoto range up to 250x.
Seven User Buttons
User buttons one to three are hardware buttons, and User buttons
four to seven are touch panel controls. Seven functions out of a total
of twelve (Push AF, Backlight Compensation, Spotlight
Compensation, Black Fade, White Fade, ATW, ATW Lock, Digital
Zoom, Histogram Display, Rec Check, Last Clip Delete, and Menu)
can be allocated to these buttons.
Focus Assist and Push AF
The Focus Assist (Focus in Red)
button shows when your subject
is in focus by outlining subject
edges in red on the LCD monitor.
Push AF activates the AF function
while in Manual mode with the
press of a button (allocated to an User button). This provides handy
support for manual focusing.
Scene File Function for Advanced Image Quality Settings
The six preset scene settings allow immediate response to a variety
of shooting situations. The following settings can be freely changed
and saved over the preset values.
• DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher): Suppresses blocked shadows
and blown highlights by visually expanding the dynamic range. This
function can be assigned to the user button.
• 7 Mode Gamma: Allows selection from seven gamma curves: HD
NORM/LOW/SD NORM/HIGH/B.PRESS/CINE-LIKE D/CINE-LIKE V.
• Other settings: H detail level, V detail level, detail coring and skin
tone detail, chroma level, chroma phase, colour temp and master
pedestal, auto iris level, knee (LOW/MID/HIGH), matrix (NORM1/
NORM2/FLUO/CINE-LIKE).
Professional Camera Functions
• ZEBRA Button: Displays two zebra patterns (blown highlight
warning) and a marker (brightness level percentage).
• BARS Button: Outputs a colour bar image and test tone audio.
• DISP/MODE CHK Button: Shows mode settings at a glance.
• Auto Slow Shutter: Allows the shutter to automatically slow down
to brighten dark scenes.
•
High-Speed Shutter: Adjusts up to a maximum speed of 1/2000 sec.
• White Balance: Allows the selection from ATW, P3.2K, P5.6K or
VAR (variable between P2.4K and P9.9K). Two manual settings (A/B)
can be stored in memory.
• iA Mode: The AG-AC90A detects the shooting conditions and
automatically switches to the optimal iA mode (Portrait, Landscape,
Spotlight, Low Light, Normal).
• Displays various safety zone markers and a center marker.
Freeze Frame
When the camera is being set up or the operator changes camera
positions, a frame is captured and displayed as still image. This
function allows you to prevent unwanted images from being
captured and displayed on an external monitor.
Focus Assist
4x dense pixel shifting technology
(concept image)
1920 × 2
1920
10801080 × 2
The green MOS sensor is shifted by a
half-pixel both vertically and horizontally.
General multi coating lens Nano surface coating lens
Ghost
FREEZE
Still picture fixation Camera through output
Move
3

Shooting Angles, Image Quality, Mobility, Operating Ease – No Compromises in This Professional Handheld Model.
Professional AVCHD Support for a Variety of Modes
• PS Mode: Records Full-HD progressive (1080/50p) images
compliant with the AVCHD Progressive standard.
• PH Mode: This AVCCAM professional mode supports
1920x1080 full-pixel images and switchable HD formats of
1080/50i and 1080/25p.
• HE/HA Mode: Records 1080/50i images for an extended
recording time.
• PM Mode: Records 1280 x 720-pixel progressive HD images
(720/50p). Ideal for usage of in sports coaching.
• SA Mode: Records SD (576/50i) with high image quality.
• CS Mode: Features a low rate of 3.5 Mbps for swift uploading to
a cloud server. Records 720 x 576-pixel SD (576/50i) images.
Dual Memory Card Slots with
Direct Copy Function between Memory Cards
The slot to be used can be
switched during recording.
Auto-Switch Recording*1lets you
record images onto two memory
cards consecutively, and Back-Up
Recording*2records the same
images onto two different memory
cards to increase reliability.
Newly added slot-to slot file copy function allows you to organize
files on-site using only a AG-AC90A camera-recorder.
*1: Simple relay recording. When switching recording media, audio is interrupted for maximum 0.8 sec.
*2: Rec Check and Last Clip Delete do not work during Back-Up Recording.
*3: Use SDXC/SDHC/SD memory cards with a SD Speed Class of 4 or higher.
Versatile Recording Functions
• Interval Rec: Records one frame at a time in set intervals (1 sec,
10 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min). Ideal for observation, surveillance and
other applications.*
• Pre Rec: Prevents missed shooting opportunities by storing about
3 seconds of video and audio data in memory prior to pressing the
Rec button.
• Rec Check: Lets you check the end of the most recently recorded
clip with one-touch ease.
• Last Clip Delete: One-touch delete of the most recently recorded clip.
• The built-in SMPTE time-code generator lets you select the Free
Run/Rec Run modes and preset. UB (User Bit) is also provided.
• Still shots with 3-megapixel resolution. (Still shots can also be
captured during video recording.)
• Time Stamp: Records the date and time together with the image.
This is useful when recording observation images, events, evidence
images, etc.
*Up to a maximum of 12 hours, HA mode only, no audio recording.
Slide-Retractable, High-Definition LCD Touch Panel
• High-definition 16:9 aspect ratio 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) LCD monitor
with approx. 1,152,000 dots.
• Slides into the handle front for storage. Rotates 270 degrees for
high-angle, low-angle and self-interview shooting (with Mirror mode).
• Menu settings and playback by touch panel operation.
• Various playback functions can be selected on thumbnail display,
such as Pause, Fast Rewind, Fast Forward, Slow, Frame Advance,
Skip, and Repeat.
XLR Input and Other Professional Audio Features
In addition to a built-in 5.1-channel surround sound mic, the
AG-AC90A features 2-channel XLR audio input terminals for external
mic use. Input (Mic/Line) can be selected for CH1/CH2
independently, and a 48 V phantom power supply (ON/OFF) and
level control are provided.
Eye-Fi Card for Wireless Connection
The use of an Eye-Fi card (commercially available) enables wireless
LAN connection and maximizes the use of networks, such as
transferring files to a PC, smartphone or tablet, or uploading files to
a data sharing site or cloud server.
The AG-AC90A is equipped with an Eye-Fi card setting function and
displays data transfer progress on the LCD/EVF.
* Panasonic does not guarantee the functions (including wireless communication) of Eye-Fi cards
with the product.
* The Eye-Fi transfer function cannot be used during video recording.
Professional Interfaces and Design
• HDMI Output: Digital output
of video and audio signals to a
wide variety of HD devices.
• AV Multi Output: Analog
video and audio output. Output
analog component video
(component terminal), analog
composite video (pin jack), and
analog audio (L/R pin jacks)
through the bundled cable.
• USB 2.0 (DEVICE): For
transferring files to a PC.
• Remote terminals enable remote operation of iris, focus, zoom and
Rec Start/Stop functions.
• The AG-AC90A has a well balanced center of gravity and a short
body for nimble mobility.
• The upper part of the handle grip contains both the Rec Start/Stop
button and a zoom speed control (three speed steps).
• A front tally lamp is provided (ON/OFF switchable).
Rear terminal Side terminal
4

The AVCCAM Series Makes Video Packaging and Internet Distribution*1Smooth and Easy.
The tapeless design means lower total costs, and unlike tape,
AVCHD files require no digitizing*2and can be directly and quickly
transferred*3to storage in a Windows PC or Mac. This makes it
easier to use motion images in IT applications*4like content
production, internet distribution*1and source material archiving.
AVCHD’s direct editing also saves time and effort in TV program
production. AVCHD means lower costs for both media and
equipment maintenance.
*1: To distribute AVCHD files on the web, you may need to use a video distributing service that is
operated by other web publishers supporting AVCHD. For real-time web distribution,
a real-time video encoder that is supplied by other manufacturers may be required.
*2: Editing may require conversion to an intermediate codec, depending on the editing software.
The conversion speed varies depending on the hardware specifications of the Windows PC or Mac,
the software used for converting, and the file format being converted.
*3: Maximum speed: 22 MB/s (Using a Class 10 SDHC Memory Card. Speed depends on the
hardware specifications of the Windows PC or Mac.) Some computers may not recognize the
SDXC/SDHC Memory Card. If that occurs, use an SDXC/SDHC Memory Card Reader.
*4: AVCHD-compatible software is required. The minimum system requirements for using the
software must also be satisfied.
AVCHD Nonlinear Editing
Compatible with many existing HD editing systems, AVCHD files can
be transferred at high speed by using the USB 2.0 interface to
connect the AVCCAM Series or an SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card
reader to a Windows PC or Mac. This dramatically improves
productivity when compared with the time-consuming task of
digitizing.
* Please see our website <http://pro-av.panasonic.net/> for information on the interoperation of
nonlinear editing systems. Click on “Non-linear Compatibility Information.” For more detailed
information, please see the website of the relevant manufacturer.
Eye-Fi Application (PC, smartphone, tablet)
In Eye-Fi Direct mode, files are transferred directly to a smartphone
or tablet through the Eye-Fi card without going through an access
point.
Eye-Fi Application (data sharing site, cloud server)
When connected to a broadband network via a wireless LAN or
mobile router, files can be uploaded automatically (when uploading
all files) or manually (when uploading selected files) to a data sharing
site or cloud server.
A Host of Software to Support ProductionAs of June, 2014
AVCCAM Viewing Function of
P2 Viewer Plus
(for Windows/Mac, Free Download)
The New P2 Viewer Plus software includes the
ability to view AVCCAM files. AVCCAM files can
be played from an SDHC/SDXC memory card
or hard disk and saved to a PC (hard disk).
Files can also be copied to an SDXC/SDHC
memory card.
AVCCAM Importer
(for Mac, Free Download)
AVCCAM Importer is a software for Apple
Final Cut Pro 7 to enable direct editing of
AVCHD* “.mts” files without conversion. Since
AVCCAM Importer is a plug-in component for Apple
QuickTime, QuickTime Player can play AVCHD “.mts” files and
other software based on QuickTime Framework can also
handle AVCHD “.mts” files directly after installation of
AVCCAM Importer on a Mac.
*AVCCAM Importer supports the AVCHD files produced by AVCCAM products only.
AVCCAM SD Card File Recovery
(for Windows/Mac, Free Download)
The AVCCAM SD Card file recovery is a software
for repairing files which were erased or formatted
accidentally. It supports SDXC/SDHC/SD memory
card.
*This software can only be used with AVCHD, DV and JPEG clips
recorded with a Panasonic AVCCAM series camera.
*Note that it will not always be possible to repair the files using this
software.
AVCCAM Restorer
(for Windows, Free Download)
The AVCCAM Restorer is a software for restoring
inconsistencies in video data recorded on an
SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card.
* This software can only be used with AVCHD clips recorded with a
Panasonic AVCCAM series camera.
*Note that it will not always be possible to restore the data using this
software.
*This software targets recorded data that has been damaged for
restoration. It is not capable of performing processing to restore
deleted data.
AVCHD compatible
Nonlinear Editing System
USB 2.0
USB 2.0
SDXC/SDHC/SD
Memory Card
SDXC/SDHC/SD
Card Reader
AG-AC90A
DVD-Video
(SD)
DVD (AVCHD)
BD (BD-Video)
AG-AC90A
+
Eye-Fi®
AG-AC90A
+
Eye-Fi®
Moblie
router
PC/Smart phone/Tablet
PC/Smart phone/Tablet
mts mts
Cloud
Services
AG-AC90A
+
Eye-Fi®
AG-AC90A
+
Eye-Fi®
Moblie
router
PC/Smart phone/Tablet
PC/Smart phone/Tablet
mts mts
Cloud
Services
5

AG-AC90A Specifications As of June, 2014
AG-AC90A Options As of June, 2014
Precautions for Using the SDXC Memory Card
•The SDXC Memory Card can be used for products that display the SDXC logo mark either on the product itself, or in
the User’s Manual. It cannot be used with products that are only compatible with SDHC/SD Memory Cards.
•How to confirm SDXC compatibility: Confirm compatibility by looking for the SDXC logo mark on the product or in the
User’s Manual, or check the information provided by the product manufacturer.
•When using the SDXC Memory Card with a computer: For a computer with Windows 7 OS, use the SDXC Memory
Card via an SDXC-compatible USB reader/writer, or connect the SDXC Memory Card to an SDXC-compatible product
via a USB terminal. If you want to use the SDXC Memory Card in a direct slot, be sure to check the information
provided by the manufacturer for the computer that you plan to use, and follow the instructions therein.
•UHS-Ⅰ(Ultra-High SpeedⅠ) is a speed class for SD Memory Cards. UHS-Ⅰcompatible memory cards can be used in
the AG-AC90A as SD Speed Class 10 cards.
General Specication
Supply Voltage: DC 12 V (when the AC adaptor is used)
DC 7.2 V (when the battery is used)
Power Consumption: 12.9 W
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Operating Humidity: 10% to 80% (no condensation)
Weight: Approx. 1.50 kg(Approx. 3.3 lb/main unit only)
Approx. 1.78 kg
(Approx. 3.9 lb/with battery and an SD card)
Dimensions (W X H X D):
160 mm x 195 mm x 350 mm excluding protruding parts
(6-5/16 inches x 7-11/16 inches x 13-1/16 inches)
Camera Section
Pickup Devices: 1/4.7 type 3MOS image sensor
Effective pixels:
Approx. 8,040K (Approx. 2,680K x 3)
Lens: Auto Iris optical zoom (Full range AF)
F value (focal length):
F1.5 to F2.8 (Focal length; 2.84 mm to 34.1 mm)
35 mm equivalent:
Motion picture
/Still picture; 29.8 mm to 383.7 mm (16:9)
Minimum focus distance:
Approx. 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) (Wide)
Approx. 1.2 m (3.9 feet) (Tele)
Filter Diameter: 49 mm
Zoom: 12x optical zoom, 25x i.Zoom, 2x/5x/10x digital zoom
Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (auto slow shutter ON)
1/50 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (auto slow shutter OFF)
at 50i/50p/25p motion picture recording, manual mode
Image Stabilizer Function: Optical (hybrid optical image stabilizer, active mode)
Minimum Illumination: Approx. 3 lx ( iA mode,
1/25 sec. shutter speed with auto slow shutter ON)
Memory Card Recorder Section
Recording Format: AVCHD version 2.0 compliant, AVCHD Progressive
Motion Picture Compression:
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio Compression: Dolby Digital (5.1ch/2 ch)
Recording Mode: *Please see the table below.
Still Picture Recording Format:
JPEG corresponding (Design rule for Camera File
system, based on Exif 2.2 standard)
Recording Media: SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card,
SDXC Memory Card
Video Output
AV Multi Output: Component video output level:
Y: 1.0 V [p-p], 75Ω
P
B: 0.7 V [p-p], 75Ω
PR: 0.7 V [p-p], 75Ω
AV video output level:
1.0 V [p-p], 75Ω
HDMI Output: HDMI™ 1080p/1080i/720p/576p
Audio Input/Output
LINE: 2 ch (AV Multi terminal)
HDMI Output: Dolby Digital/ Linear PCM
Headphones Output: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
XLR Input: XLR (3 pin) x 2 (INPUT1/INPUT2),
LINE: 0 dBu
MIC: –50/–60 dBu (switch with the menu)
Microphone: 5.1 ch surround microphone
(with zoom / focus microphone function) /
stereo microphone
Other Input/Output
USB: Reader function (No copyright protection support)
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), USB terminal Type Mini B
Camera Remote: 2.5 mm diameter, super mini jack x 1 (ZOOM, REC S/S)
3.5 mm diameter, mini jack x 1 (FOCUS, IRIS)
Monitor
Monitor: 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) wide LCD monitor
(Approx. 1152 K dots)
Viewnder: 0.61 cm (0.24 inches)
wide EVF (Approx. 263 K dots equivalent)
Included Accessories
Battery pack, Battery charger, AC adaptor, AC cable (x 2),
Eye cup, Remote control (Battery built-in), CD-ROM (Operating Instructions),
USB cable, AV multi cable, Lens cap, Shoulder strap, Microphone holder, INPUT
terminal cap (2 caps), Microphone holder adaptor, Microphone holder screws
Weight and dimensions are approximate.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
CGA-D54
Lithium Ion Battery
(5400mAh)
AG-MC200G
XLR microphone
SDXC/SDHC/SD
Memory Card AG-B23
Battery Charger
AC cable included
VW-LED1
LED Video Light
VW-W4907H
Wideconversion Lens
VW-LF49N
Filter Kit
*When two 64 GB SDXC memory cards are used. The maximum continuous recording time is 6 hours regardless of the recording mode.
Recording Mode Bit Rate Image Size (H x V) Recording Format Max. Recording Time*
PS Mode Approx. 25 Mbps (Average) / Max. 28 Mbps 1920 × 1080 1080/50p Approx. 10 hour 40 minutes*
PH Mode Approx. 21M bps (Average) / Max. 24 Mbps 1920 × 1080
1080/50i Approx. 12 hours*
108025p Approx. 12 hours*
HA Mode Approx. 17 Mbps (Average) 1920 × 1080 1080/50i Approx. 16 hours*
HE Mode Approx. 6 Mbps (Average) 1440 × 1080 1080/50i Approx. 48 hours*
PM Mode Approx. 8 Mbps (Average) 1280 × 720 720/50p Approx. 38 hours*
SA Mode Approx. 9 Mbps (Average) 720 × 576 (PAL) 576/50i Approx. 33 hours*
CS Mode Approx. 3.5 Mbps (Average) 720 × 576 (PAL) 576/50i Approx. 82 hours*
Recording Mode and Recording Time
6

*AVCHD and the AVCHD logo are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbols are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. HDMI and
the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC. SD Logo is a trademark. SDHC logo and SDXC logo are
trademarks of SD-3C, LLC. Quick Time is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
Please refer to the latest Non-linear Compatibilty Information, AVCHD Support,
Download and Service Information, etc., at the following Panasonic web site.
Panasonic Corporation
AVC Networks Company
2-15 Matsuba-cho, Kadoma, Osaka 571-8503
Japan
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
Argentina [phone]
Australia [phone]
Bahrain [phone]
Brazil [phone]
Canada [phone]
China [phone]
Hong Kong [phone]
Czech Republic: [phone]
Denmark [phone]
Egypt [phone]
Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia
[phone]
France [phone]
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
[phone]
Greece [phone]
Hungary [phone]
India [phone]
Indonesia [phone]
Iran
(Vida) [phone]
(Panasonic Office) [phone]
Italy [phone]
Jordan [phone]
Kazakhstan [phone]
Korea [phone]
Kuwait [phone]
Lebanon [phone]
Malaysia [phone]
Mexico [phone]
Netherlands, Belgium
[phone]
New Zealand [phone]
Norway [phone]
Pakistan [phone] (SNT)
Palestine [phone]
Panama [phone]
Philippines [phone]
Poland [phone]
Portugal [phone]
Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia
[phone]
Russia & CIS [phone]
Saudi Arabia [phone]
Singapore [phone]
Slovak Republic, Croatia, Serbia,
Bosnia, Montenegro, Slovenia
[phone]
South Africa [phone]
Spain [phone]
Sweden [phone]
Syria [phone]/4
Taiwan [phone]
Thailand [phone]
Turkey [phone]
U.A.E. (for All Middle East)
[phone]
Ukraine [phone]
U.K. [phone]
U.S.A. [phone]
Vietnam [phone]
[Countries and Regions]
Factories of AVC Networks Company have received
ISO14001:2004-the Environmental Management System
certification. (Except for 3rd party’s peripherals.)
15K201406ZP-1 Printed in Japan
SP-AC90AE1