While the new Panasonic AG-HPX300 might be a bit out of your budget range ($8000 street price), it comes with plenty of bells and whistles.
It shares pedigree with Panasonic HVX200 and it offers much of the same features: a ton of formats and frame rates. It records on P2 cards as well as DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPROHD.
In terms of lenses, it comes with a 17x Fujinon lens that’s well above the usual pro-amateur fair. The sensor is big – 1/3″ and incredibly crisp, recording in FULL HD – 1920×1080.
If your budget allows it, I urge you to rent this baby for a test and then include it in your arsenal!

Well, I am a proud owner of HVX200a and had the opportunity to test this baby. I must say, I was impressed, but not as much to pay almost double the price I paid for HVX. Is it really worth it?