Panasonic HCX2000 and AG-CX10
Panasonic announces three new 4K 60p camcorders designed to provide mobility, efficiency and affordability. The lightweight camcorders are ready to go off-the-shelf, with capabilities including live streaming support, optical image stabilization, and super slow-motion recording; as well as the convenience of built-in lenses, long battery life, XLR audio input and ND filters.
According to the announcement, “A heat-dispersing design that includes a newly developed thin fan makes the new models the industry’s smallest and lightest camcorders[i] with an integrated lens capable of 4K 60p recording. By pulling in air from the rear panel and efficiently dispersing heat from the front panel, reliable, extended shooting is achieved.”
The new camcorders – the HC-X1500, the HC-X2000 and the AG-CX10 – will be available in Australia in late March. The camcorders offer built-in Wi-Fi supporting HD live streaming. In addition, the AG-CX10 supports the broadcaster-targeted P2 MXF file format, Ethernet HD live streaming and has an NDI/HX[ii] compatible IP connection. Connectivity is provided for use as a live camera.
Panasonic HC-X1500
Other capabilities include two manual rings, an ND Filter, plus a built-in LED Video Light on the HC-X2000 and AG-CX10. The camcorders support 24-bit high resolution Linear PCM Audio recording, 4:2:2 10bit internal video recording up to 4K 30p and the new, high-efficiency HEVC codec for 4K 60p recording. High-spec optical performance is achieved with a wide-angle 25mm[iii] LEICA Dicomar lens, and 32x intelligent zoom (i.ZOOM) in 4K recording.
Key features:
Optical performance for precise shooting
The camcorders’ integrated lens has a 24x optical zoom ranging from 25mm wide angle to 600mm tele. i.Zoom achieves 32x at 4K resolution, and 48x at FHD. The 4-Drive Lens System drives four lens groups independently for a powerful zoom in a compact body.
The LEICA Dicomar lens meets the stringent criteria of Leica Camera AG to deliver precise resolution and contrast, “producing stunning images while suppressing flaring and ghosts,” according to the release. Two Manual Rings are provided, one for focusing and the other for zoom or iris operation. The rings are different sizes to select and control the right ring at a touch. ND Filters can be selected from 1/4, 1/16, 1/64, and Clear; and the use of glass protects against scorching from sunlight condensation.
5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. for stable image acquisition
In 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, to produce stable images at 24x optical zoom. This provides strong correction under unstable conditions, from low-angle to high-angle shooting. A Ball O.I.S. System reduces friction on the drive section, achieving delicate correction even for small-amplitude handshake.
Super slow-motion recording for creative expression
FHD mode offers slow-motion recording at 120 fps (for 59.94 Hz) and 100 fps (for 50 Hz). 10-bit recording is supported, and full sensor area images are obtained even at high frame rates. Auto focus can be used during slow-motion recording.
Versatile recording modes
Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor achieves 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording with maximum 29.97p in UHD, and maximum 59.94p 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 59.94p at a high bit rate of 200 Mbps.
In addition to MOV, MP4, and AVCHD, the AG-CX10 will also support P2 MXF[iv], and AVC-Intra/AVC-LongG codec recording after a free future update (timing to be announced).
High-speed 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.In addition, precise subject tracking, with skin tone recognition to distinguish between faces and backgrounds, can be activated by touching the LCD panel.
- HC-X1500: RRP $2699
- HC-X2000: RRP $3499
- AG-CX10: RRP $3999
For more information visit, Panasonic.
[i] As of January 6 2020, Panasonic research.
[ii] For use, an activation key code supplied by NewTek Company is required to be purchased. NDI stands for “Network Device Interface” technology from NewTek Company.
[iii] 35mm camera equivalent.
[iv] Recording in P2 format requires a Micro P2 card.
