Panasonic Announces two of the Industry's Smallest and Lightest*¹ 4K 60p Professional Camcorders with a Wide-Angle 25mm*² Lens and 24x Optical Zoom

2020/01/06 – Panasonic has newly launched two of the industry's smallest and lightest 4K 60p camcorders. Packed into a compact body and offering the on-site mobility and portability demanded by professionals, they enable high-quality 4K 60p recording. Achieving high-spec optical performance with a Wide-Angle 25mm Lens and 32x i.ZOOM (4K recording), Panasonic's exclusive high-precision AF provides high-speed, accurate focusing for both 4K and Full-HD shooting. The new models are also filled with professional functions, such as Two Manual Rings, an ND Filter, a Built-in LED Video Light^*3, and 24-bit High Resolution Linear PCM Audio Recording. For video recording, the new models support 4:2:2 10bit Internal Recording*⁴ and the new, high-efficiency HEVC codec. The best of various recording formats can also be selected. And Built-in Wi-Fi supports HD Live Streaming using only the camcorder.

Panasonic will continue to offer camcorders that meet a wide variety of needs, from directors recording on location and news gathering to high-amateurs recording 4K content.

^*1 For a camcorder with an integrated lens capable of 4K 60p recording (as of January 6th, 2020. Panasonic research).
^*2 35mm camera equivalent.
^*3 Except the HC-X1500.
^*4 Up to 4K30p.

Optical Performance for Precise Shooting

The integrated lens offers a remarkably powerful, optical 24x zoom that ranges from 25mm* wide angle to 600mm* tele. i.ZOOM achieves 32x at 4K resolution, and 48x at FHD. The 4-Drive Lens System drives the four lens groups independently, thus achieving the optical 24x zoom and compact body size.

With a LEICA Dicomar Lens that has cleared the stringent inspection criteria of Leica Camera AG in terms of lens resolution, contrast, etc., stunningly beautiful images are produced while suppressing flaring and ghosts. Two Manual Rings are provided, one for focusing and the other for zoom or iris operation. The Manual Rings are designed with different sizes so the appropriate ring can be controlled without error by touching it with the fingers. ND Filters can be selected from 1/4, 1/16, 1/64, and Clear, while glass is newly used as a countermeasure against scorching from sunlight condensation.

* 35mm camera equivalent.

High-speed, High-precision AF Including Face Detection
AF/AE

Superior focusing speed, stability and tracking performance for both 4K and Full-HD is achieved thanks to Face Detection AF/AE together with the precise focus lens drive. Face Detection AF/AE provides precise focusing and sufficient exposure for subjects. In addition, subject tracking with color recognition can be activated by just touching the LCD panel enabling precise tracking.

5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. Enables Stable Image Acquisition

For both UHD and FHD modes, in addition to O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), Electronic Image Stabilization operates to detect and correct handshake in 5 axes, including rotational blurring. This provides strong correction under unstable conditions, such as low-angle and high-angle shooting. The Ball O.I.S. System reduces friction on the drive section, achieving delicate correction even for small-amplitude handshake. This produces beautiful images with suppressed handshake even at high, 24x optical zoom.

Compact Body Equipped with 4K/60p Thanks to a Heat-Dispersing Design

A heat-dispersing design including a newly developed thin fan enabled the industry's smallest and lightest camcorder with integrated lens capable of 4K 60p recording. By pulling in air from the rear panel of the camera and efficiently dispersing heat from the front panel, reliable, extended shooting is achieved.

High-Quality Recording with Versatile Modes

The Venus Engine, which contains technologies accumulated with LUMIX, is newly incorporated in these camcorders. This enabled 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording with maximum 29.98p in UHD, and maximum 59.97p in FHD.

When set for 10-bit recording, the camcorder delivers 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output, enabling high image quality capture with an external recorder. New, highly efficient HEVC recording (LongGOP/10-bit 4:2:0/MOV) is also supported for recording 59.97p at a high bit rate of 200 Mbps.

Super Slow-motion Recording Expands Image Expression

In FHD mode, slow-motion recording at 120 fps (for 59.94 Hz)/100 fps (for 50 Hz) is possible. 10-bit recording is supported, and full-frame images with the image area uncropped are obtained even at high frame rates. Auto focus can also be used even during Super Slow-motion Recording.

Functions and Designs Supporting Pro Camera Work

A bright video light is built into the handle*¹. The brightness can be adjusted from 30% to 100% by the dimmer dial for shooting in dim lighting. For shooting in even darker conditions, commercially available IR lights*² are supported for IR (Infrared) Shooting. The 3.5-inch monitor has 2,760K-dots of resolution, making it approximately 2x brighter and having approximately 2x the number of the conventional monitor*³. It provides higher legibility even under bright sunlight. An electrostatic touch panel has also improved the operating ease when selecting menu items. Since the 1,555K-dot tiltable viewfinder and LCD output simultaneously, the image being recorded can also be confirmed in the LCD monitor while viewing it on the EVF, thus improving work efficiency. Also, to support fast, accurate manual focusing, Focus Assist functions are equipped, including Expand, Peaking and One-push AF. The included battery does not protrude when attached and enables approximately 4.5 hours of continual operation.

*1 The optional handle unit (VW-HU1) is required for HC-X1500.
*2 Recommended: 850-nm wavelength light
*3 HC-X1000

Double SD Card Slot Meets Recording Needs

Two SD memory card slots are provided. With Unlimited Relay Recording, the recording media switches automatically and seamlessly from Slot 1 to Slot 2.* Simultaneous Recording or Background Recording is also selectable to match the workflow and card necessity.

* Maximum file size that can be recorded over multiple SD cards is 96 GB. Recording will not stop even when the data size exceeds 96 GB.

48-kHz/24-bit High Resolution Linear PCM Audio Recording

+48V Phantom Power Supply/MIC/LINE Selectable XLR Audio Input with Manual Volume is equipped for each of 2 channels. Also supported is a 24-bit linear PCM system (MOV), 16-bit AAC (MP4), or Dolby Audio system (AVCHD) high-quality 2-channel audio recording. The optional handle unit (VW-HU1) is required for HC-X1500.

Versatile Network Functions Expand the User's Workflow

A Wi-Fi module is built-in, so there is no need for a separate wireless LAN module, and Wi-Fi connection is possible with only the camcorder. Using a tablet application HC ROP, wireless remote control, including camera settings and lens control, can be set. RTSP/RTP/RTMP/RTMPS-Compatible HD Streaming allows direct connection and streaming over Facebook, YouTube, etc., of concerts, sports events, and news flashes.

Other Network Features:

• 3G-SDI for connecting to an external recorder (HC-X2000)
• Compatibility with wired remote controls via the remote terminal.

Optional Accessory

A Handle Unit (VW-HU1) has been added as an optional accessory. It is easily detached and equipped with a 2-channel XLR Audio Input, audio control, and LED light. Operation of the zoom lever attached to the Handle Unit maintains a constant zoom speed, which can be set in 7 steps from the menu.

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 582 subsidiaries and 87 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 8.003 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2019. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global.