Panasonic 32GB HC-X900M 3D Ready Full HD Camcorder (Black)
The HC-X900M High Definition Camcorder (Black) is a top-of-the-line HD camcorder from Panasonic. This camera sports a long list of desirable features that include: 1920 x 1080/60p recording, clear 5.1-channel surround sound recording with Wind Noise cancelling function, 32GB of built-in memory, the ability to record in 3D (with optional 3D lens), and a 3-sensor 3MOS sensor system. So, you've got the capability to produce extravagant, detailed, beautiful images under almost any circumstances.
Panasonic's proprietary 3MOS is a 3-sensor CMOS that adds up to 9.15MP (3 x 3.05MP). These sensors work together with the Crystal Engine PRO II, a fast processor which writes large HD files to memory quickly and efficiently. It also allows for high-res zooming when exceeding the optical range. In addition, the engine works to reduce image noise, rendering beautiful, lifelike images. These two work together to produce 1080/60p footage. The "p" means progressive; when recording in a progressive frame rate the footage captured is more vibrant and detailed than an interlaced (or "i") HD recording. In the world of consumer camcorders, 1080p is the gold standard.
Of course the sensor and engine wouldn't be able to do their job without a high-quality lens. The HC-X900M comes with a 29.8mm f/1.5 Leica Dicomar lens and 12x optical zoom range. It also features a manual ring which can be used for more precise control of focus, zoom, exposure, shutter speed and white balance. HYBRID O.I.S. (optical image stabilization) keeps your shots steady when hand-holding the camera. It reduces the effects of hand-shake for an easy-to-view, clean shot.
Other superb tools of the HC-X900M include a very generous 3.5" touch screen 3D LCD display. This screen provides you with options like, "Touch Zoom" and "Touch Shutter". The zoom function allows you to zoom in by dragging your finger across the LCD. The shutter function enables instant touch focus on a particular subject in the frame, and the option to switch to still-image shooting. The camera also features 5.1 channel Dolby Surround Sound recording, and 5 built-in electret condenser microphones. You can capture true Surround Sound that targets your subject, while minimizing wind and extraneous sounds.
In addition, the HC-X900M allows you to record in 3D, using the optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens. Your 3D videos can then be played back on any 3D TV that is compatible with the side-by-side method. Still images of up to 16MP can be captured with the HC-X900M, and a dedicated iA mode will automatically switch to 1 of 5 scene modes for optimized capture.
The HC-X900M has loads of shooting controls, like face detection and Intelligent Auto, which help to take the guesswork out of video recording. These controls will allow you to keep the recording process simple, so you can focus on the moment and not fussing with camera settings. Other features include microphone and headphone connections, an extendable electronic viewfinder, and a cold shoe for mounting optional accessories. When it comes time to share what you've shot, the HC-X900M provides you with various options as well, from editing software that lets you upload to the web to a fun in-camera playback feature.
- Advanced 3MOS System
- The Advanced 3MOS System records beautifully natural images with powerful colors and detailed rendering in both bright and dark scenes. The Noise Reduction technology that goes to work when shooting in dim lighting has evolved even further in 2012 models, with noise reduced 40% more compared to previous Panasonic models. The Advanced 3MOS System, which is comprised of the 3MOS Sensor that captures images without color loss, the Leica Dicomar Lens that excels with its large, bright aperture, and the Crystal Engine PRO that increases image resolution, produces colorful, bright, beautiful images in full HD quality
- 3MOS Sensor
- The 3MOS Sensor splits the light information captured by the lens into the three primary colors - red, green and blue - and processes each color with its own individual sensor. This reduces light loss compared to the 1MOS sensor, and renders colors, details and gradation all with intricate detail and natural beauty. This superb color reproduction maximizes the inherent quality of progressive images
- Leica Dicomar Lens
- The Leica Dicomar Lens, which is renowned for its ability to render sharp images and excellent shading now features a new Nano Surface Coating Technology, which dramatically reduces ghosting and flaring. Even in strong sunlight, these superb lenses maintain high contrast and resolution. Efficient light collection allows the new lens to capture bright, clear images even in dim lighting or at high shutter speeds. This high-end lens brings out all the beauty of full HD images.
- 12x Optical Zoom and HYBRID O.I.S.
- The HC-X900M features a 12x zoom lens and is equipped with HYBRID O.I.S., an image stabilizer system that corrects hand-shake blurring by combining the action of its hybrid optical and electrical image stabilization systems. Even when zooming, where hand-shake often occurs, both optical and electrical hand-shake correction make it possible to record beautiful images with approximately 2 times the hand-shake suppressing effect as conventional models. O.I.S. now provides even more powerful stabilization correction with O.I.S. Lock. By pressing the O.I.S. Lock button on the LCD monitor, the blur detection sensitivity is maximized and camera movements are detected and corrected without image degradation. O.I.S. Lock is ideal for applications like bird watching, which call for zooming at a fixed angle.
- Crystal Engine PRO II
-
The Crystal Engine PRO II instantly processes the huge amount of data that goes into full HD images, and further enhances full HD quality. It produces smooth, high-resolution zoom shots even when the range exceeds the limit for optical zooming. Crystal Engine PRO II clearly delineates even the tiniest details of your subject, with extremely natural beauty. In addition, its Noise Reduction (NR) technology has been completely redesigned. The low-frequency noise that occurs when recording in dim lighting has been further minimized. Compared to previous Panasonic models, noise has been reduced by approximately 45%. And Intelligent Resolution Technology ensures sharp and crisp pictures, resulting in bright and beautifully colored motion images
Intelligent Resolution Technology
The Intelligent Resolution Technology incorporated in the new Crystal Engine PRO II uses edge detection technology to confirm the edges of objects within the image, then emphasizes the edges for optimal clarity. For example, it brings crisp definition to patterns and the outlines of objects like flowers. Conversely, it reduces noise and enhances the natural smoothness of parts without edges, like the sky. The increased sharpness is especially effective for images with delicate details. This highly advanced technology maximizes the beauty of full HD images.
- 1080/60p Recording
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With its transfer rate of 28 Mbps, 1080/60p recording (full HD, 1,920 x 1,080, 60 progressive recording) conveys about twice the information of 1,080i (interlace) recording. Whereas interlacing requires two images to produce a complete picture, the progressive method records a single image as a complete picture. Plus, the 60 Progressive Recording produces 60 images per second. This extremely dense image information creates intricate detail and silky smooth motion. Even when subjects move quickly, afterimages are minimized to create more natural images. The progressive method is most effective when shooting designs where more patterns tend to occur, or when capturing scenes during sports events where the subjects are intensely moving around. Also, the recorded images are displayed clearly even when they are made into still images, so it is possible to preserve stunning photos when clipping them from videos
- 29.8mm f/1.5 Wide Angle Lens
- The 29.8mm f/1.5 wide-angle lens will fit more people and more of the background into the frame than a conventional lens. This is especially handy when you want to take a group photo in a small room. And the very wide f/1.5 aperture means better images in low-light situations.
- 5.1 Channel Surround Sound System & Zoom Mic
-
The HC-X900M is equipped with five electret condenser microphones. The center mic helps capture the sound source and distance accurately, so you get a more 3-dimensional effect. The Zoom Mic function improves noise-reducing performance and handles higher zooming power, allowing you to clearly capture target sounds. You get a realistic sound space that's a perfect match with the true-to-life HD images
- Wide mode:
Picks up audio from all directions to reproduce a natural, lifelike sound field
- Zoom mode:
In Zoom mode the microphones are linked to the lens action. When you zoom in on a subject, the microphones focus on the sound in that same direction
- Focus mode:
With the five highly directional microphones, this mode enables the microphones to focus on sounds coming from right in front of you, even when the lens is not zooming
- Wind Noise Canceller:
The technology of the previous Wind Cut function has evolved to form the Wind Noise Canceller. The new function automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise, to give you natural sounds with lifelike ambience. Also, unlike the previous Wind Cut function, which switched to monaural recording, the Wind Noise Canceller enables stereo recording. This maintains natural sounds when shooting outdoors
- Bass Setting:
You can adjust the level of low-frequency sound that is included in the audio track while shooting
- Wide mode:
- Still Picture Recording at 16MP
- The still picture recording mode lets you shoot with a maximum resolution of 16MP.
- 3D Image Recording
- When the optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens is attached, the HC-X900M produces an effect called visual disparity. Right and left images are captured simultaneously by the two lenses, and recorded using the side-by-side method. To play back 3D videos, simply insert an SD memory card in the slot of a Panasonic VIERA 3DTV. Or you can use an HDMI mini cable to connect the camcorder to a VIERA 3DTV or another 3D TV that is compatible with the side-by-side method.
- 3.5" Wide Intuitive Touch Operation LCD & Viewfinder
-
The easy-to-view 3.5" (8.8 cm) LCD allows intuitive fingertip touch operation. When shooting, you can use Touch Zoom to instantly zoom in and out by simply touching your fingertips, and Touch Shutter to automatically focus when shooting still images by simply touching the subject on the screen. For playback, you can also change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. You get smooth, intuitive operation and don't have to take your eyes off of the LCD screen. Plus, the camera also features a useful viewfinder
- Touch Zoom:
You can easily zoom in and zoom out by simply touching the LCD with your fingertips. Shoot at any angle of view while watching the screen
- Touch Shutter:
Even when shooting movies, you can touch the subject on the screen to instantly focus on it, and easily switch to still-image shooting
- Touch operation for playback:
You can flip through thumbnail pages, display one of the thumbnail scenes, highlight a scene, and more, with easy, intuitive, fingertip operation
- Touch Zoom:
- HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
-
HYBRID O.I.S. corrects hand-shake blurring by combining the action of its hybrid optical and electrical image stabilization systems. Even when zooming, where hand-shake often occurs, both optical and electrical hand-shake correction make it possible to record beautiful images with approximately 2 times the hand-shake suppressing effect as conventional models
- Active mode:
Active mode comes in handy when shooting while walking or playing with your children. The wide correction area corrects even relatively large hand-shake motion. It's especially good for active video shooting
- Active mode:
- iA (Intelligent Auto)
- For those beginner users looking for a more intuitive setting, the HC-X900M also includes the iA function which automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode. Panasonic's iA consists of six functions: Face Recognition, the new HYBRID O.I.S. +, AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Intelligent Contrast Control.
- Handy Functions and Interfaces
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You can enjoy more professional shooting with these handy functions
- Microphone:
There is a mic input terminal on the side of the camcorder. Plug in an external mic (optional) if desire
- Accessory Shoe:
Optional accessories can be attached here to increase shooting versatility
- Microphone:
- Manual Ring
-
The manual ring gives you easy, fingertip control over the focus, zoom, exposure, and white balance settings. You'll find using the ring a much more intuitive, comfortable, user-friendly process than accessing a menu screen. With the manual ring and manual operation, the HD900 Series is a pleasure to use and gives you the freedom to craft unusually expressive images
- Zoom:
Just rotate the ring to zoom in and out. You have full control of the zooming speed and can zoom in or out to the precise degree you want
- Focus:
Just rotate the ring to focus. You can focus on the exact point you want, even if it's not in the center of the frame. You can also change the focus as you shoot, to get the kind of creative shots you sometimes see in movies
- White Balance:
Select from Auto, Indoor, Outdoor and White Set according to the location, weather or type of lighting. You'll always get the best possible coloring even if the light source changes
- Shutter Speed:
The shutter speed can be adjusted from 1/24 to 1/8,000 of a second. Use a high shutter speed when shooting sports events or fast-moving subjects, and you can get clear, sharp, incredible action shots
- Iris:
Use the ring to adjust the aperture to regulate the amount of light let in. You can also use this setting to attain a shallow depth of field, blur the background, or create frames that emphasize the foreground, for creating movie-like expressions
- Zoom:
- Pre-Rec Function
- This smart function records three seconds of images even before you actually begin shooting. The images are held temporarily in the camcorder's internal memory, before recording begins. This helps ensure that you won't miss the start of a moment you want to record, such as when an event begins all of a sudden. For example, if you're waiting to snap a shot of a jumping dolphin, you can press the REC button after you've made sure that the dolphin has cleared the surface of the water. The camcorder will record the entire scene, from the instant of the dolphin's jump until it disappears again into the sea
- Wide Viewing Angle
- The 3D LCD has a highly detailed, 1,150,000-dot display and a viewing angle of 170°, both vertically and horizontally. Images are clear and bright even when viewed from an angle, so everyone can gather around the LCD to enjoy on-the-spot recordings. The wide viewing angle is also great for taking high- or low-angle shots
- Advanced Highlight Playback
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Select the days of the recordings you want to see, and this innovative function automatically selects the most exciting scenes, arranges them, and plays them, with music. It decides how exciting a scene is, based on zooming, panning, and scene changes, and whether there are faces. The 90 Series have both advanced with the addition of playback effects that include slow motion, still image fading, and flash playback. Four new image effect modes - natural, pop, dynamic and classical - have also been added. Set different effects based on the mood of your images, and enjoy memorable scenes just the way you remember them when shooting. The Face Highlight Playback mode places priority on selecting the faces of subjects who are registered in the Face Recognition function, for quick playback of the scenes where they are clearly recorded, together with music
- Natural:
Enjoy more impressive highlight playback with natural switching effects
- Pop:
View highlight playback of the images you've taken, together with a variety of fun effects
- Dynamic:
Enjoy highlight playback with speedy, dynamic effects
- Classical:
Enjoy highlight playback with dramatic effects applied mainly to your subject's faces
- Natural:
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 3x 3.05 Megapixel 1/4.1" CMOS Sensor |
| Lens |
2.84 - 34.1 mm f/1.5 - 2.8 |
| Zoom | Optical: 12x |
| Filter Size | 49 mm |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| Recording Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Video Format |
High Definition MPEG AVC/H.264 1920 x 1080p, 1920 x 1080i, 960 x 540p (60/60/30 fps) |
| Still Image Resolution |
JPEG: 16.0 Megapixel, 4896 x 3264 JPEG: 15.1 Megapixel, 4480 x 3360 JPEG: 14.7 Megapixel, 5120 x 2880 JPEG: 8.6 Megapixel, 3600 x 2400 JPEG: 8.6 Megapixel, 3392 x 2544 JPEG: 8.3 Megapixel, 3840 x 2160 JPEG: 6.1 Megapixel, 3024 x 2016 JPEG: 5.8 Megapixel, 3200 x 1800 JPEG: 5.8 Megapixel, 2784 x 2088 JPEG: 0.3 Megapixel, 640 x 480 |
| Audio Format | 2-Channel Stereo |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | Viewfinder/LCD |
| Screen Size | 3.5" |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Lux |
1400 (Standard Illumination) 1.6 (1/30, Low Light, Scene Mode) 1 (Color NIght View) |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Light - Yes Flash - Yes |
| Accessory Shoe | Cold |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo Mini |
| Outputs |
1x USB 2.0 1x HDMI C (Mini) 1x A/V 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo Mini |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.64 x 2.83 x 5.90" / 6.71 x 7.19 x 14.99 cm |
| Weight | 14.99 oz / 425 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 1 review)
Ratings Distribution
Reviewed by 1 customer
Displaying review 1
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic 32GB HC-X900M 3D Ready Full HD Camcorder (Black):
The Panasonic Segment:
I have only owned the X900M for 2 weeks, so at this point the unit is still going through my personal R&D however this will end up being used in a prosumer role. I am quite happy at this time. The range from macro to zoom is fantastic and detail can be determined by the user. Manual functioning can be taken over quite simply with a single button hit. The OIS is very nice. Low light sensitivity is good and I have yet to try the Color Night setting. The 5.1 surround sound and ability to set audio focus is also nice in large gatherings. The external connectivity is nice.
At 1st glance, the price seemed a bit high for a unit wich hasn't changed much over previous versions, but the built-in 32GB storage offsets the cost a bit since this can be used out of the box once charged. There is also an expansion slot for yet more storage or an EyeFi card. USB transfer seems quick.
Cons:
I would like to have seen some high-speed capture (as compared to JVC's flagship) maybe not as high-speed as some, but more than the 60 frame burst. A slightly higher capacity battery would be nice as well for the overall package price.
B&H segment:
This is not my 1st dealing with B&H. I have bought a range of products from B&H and now this camcorder and have never been sorry with my choice. Their service has alsways been perfect in my dealings with them. I even waited until after the passover holiday store closure while I could have gone with a competitor based on price alone. Their free shipping was every bit as timely as an expedited delivery (2 days, order to sign-off acceptance)-- it was NOT "you might see it in 2 weeks because its free".
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Japanese Cherry Blossom
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What's in the Box
- AC Adapter
- AC Cable
- 1250 mAh Rechargeable Battery Pack
- AV Multi-Cable
- USB Cable
- HD Writer 4.1 CD-ROM Software
- Lens Hood
- 90-Day Labor & 1-Year Parts Limited Warranty
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