Panasonic revealed four new 4K 10-bit camcorders aimed at the professional market. All four models feature the same sensor and 25 mm wide-angle 24x optical zoom.
Four models
The new camcorder range starts with the base model HC-X1200. All of the other cameras share the same sensor and zoom lens but add additional features.
The other models are the HC-X1600 and the flagship HC-X2100. Also, the AG-CX20 is a variant of the HC-X2100 which supports the broadcast-standard P2HD (MXF) file format. It also offers NDI HX2-compliant IP connectivity for smooth live streaming in a network environment.
24x optical zoom
All four new camcorders from Panasonic share the same 1/2.5-inch 8.29 MP MOS sensor and 24x optical zoom. The lens has a focal length range from 4.12mm to 98.9 mm which is a full frame equivalent of 25 mm to 600 mm. Panasonic’s i.ZOOM digital zoom boosts this to 32x in 4K and 48x in full HD mode. You also get two manual control rings, one for focus and the other can be set to control the zoom or iris functions. In addition, there’s a power zoom rocker switch that supports low-speed zoom mode around 2.8 times slower than the previous model.
High-speed autofocus
Panasonic’s new camcorders use Face Detection AF/AE to deliver superior focusing speed, stability and tracking performance in both 4K and FHD. Face Detection AF/AE provides precise focusing and sufficient exposure for subjects. In addition, you can activate subject tracking with color recognition just by touching the LCD panel for precise tracking.
5-axis image stabilization
The new camcorders all feature Panasonic’s 5-Axis HYBRID image stabilization. This combines optical image stabilization (O.I.S.) with electronic image stabilization to correct shaking in five axes, including rotational blurring. Panasonic says that this provides strong correction under unstable conditions, such as low-angle and high-angle shooting.
Also, the Ball O.I.S. System reduces friction on the drive section, achieving delicate correction even for small-amplitude handshakes.
HC-X1200
The bottom-of-the-range Panasonic HC-X1200 still has impressive specifications. It can record 4K at up to 60 fps in a 100 Mb/s 10-bit 4:2:0 HEVC MP4 codec, or Full HD at up to 120 fps. You also get built-in 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64 mechanical neutral density filters. There are two SD card slots for recording and the high-capacity 5900 mAh battery will over six hours. The USB-C PD port can be used to feed power to the camcorder as well.
The HC-X1200 features a heat-dispersing design with a fan so the camera won’t overheat on long shoots.
HC-X1600
The Panasonic HC-X1600 has all the features of the HC-X1200 and adds a host more. One big upgrade is the OLED electronic viewfinder in addition to the HC-X1200’s 3.5-inch touchscreen monitor. You can also record 4K up to 30 fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 MOV files for higher quality and smoother editing. Also, the HC-X1600 includes built-in WiFi for livestreaming and remotely controlling the camcorder. If you pick up the optional top handle, you get access to dual XLR inputs to use professional microphones.
HC-X2100
The Panasonic HC-X2100 gives you all the features of the HC-X1200 and HC-X1600 models. You also get the detachable top handle which delivers dual XLR inputs and a built-in light. Another extra feature is a professional 3G-SDI output. This means you can have simultaneous HDMI and SDI output, although the SDI is limited to 1080p. The HC-X2100 supports Ethernet with Panasonic’s USB-LAN conversion adaptor. In addition, Panasonic says that the camcorder will get a firmware update to support dual codec recording in the future. This is great for anyone who needs to work with proxy files.
AG-CX20
The Panasonic AG-CX20 adds a few extra professional recording features over and above the HC-X2100. The camcorder supports P2 MXF recording and microP2 memory cards. It’s also NDI HX2 compatible. NDI HX2 is a royalty-free technology that allows video to be transmitted over Ethernet networks. In addition, Panasonic has promised SRT Protocol support with a future firmware update. Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) is an open-source video transport protocol that optimizes video streaming performance across unpredictable networks.
What we think
While many videographers have moved to using mirrorless or cinema cameras, it’s great to see Panasonic supporting the camcorder format. Sometimes shooting with a camcorder is a much simpler way to work for certain jobs. By using the same lens and sensor across the new camcorder range, Panasonic has made choosing the best model for you much easier. You know you are going to get the same great image quality and can select the supporting feature set that meets your needs.
If you need a multi-cam setup, you can pair cheaper models with more expensive ones. This saves you money while promising image quality that matches across the models.
Pricing and availability
Panasonic says that its new 4K 10-bit camcorders will be available in early March. The HC-X2100 will retail at $2,199, the HC-X1600 is $1,699, and the HC-X1200 will cost $1,299. Panasonic hasn’t announced pricing or a release date for the AG-CX20 at the time of writing.