
Panasonic announced a trio of affordable camcorders aimed at the prosumer space: the HC-X1200, HC-X1600, and HC-X2100. All three camcorders feature a 1/2.5” 8.29MP MOS sensor with 24x optical zoom, face-detection autofocus, USB-C charging, mechanical ND filters, and hybrid optical image stabilization, but differ in some unique features that make them worth a look for content creators, event videographers, or those who simply want to capture more dynamic home videos.
The HC-X1200 is particularly impressive, as it manages to pack a bevy of heavyweight features into a lightweight 2.5 lb. (with battery) form factor. Panasonic promises that the included high-capacity 5900mAh battery should last you at least six hours, even with recording formats up to 4K in 60p in a 100 Mb/s 10-bit 4:2:0 HEVC MP4 codec, or FHD up to 120p. The built-in lens goes from a 25 to 600mm field of view (35mm equivalent) and the 24x optical zoom can be stepped up to 32x in 4K or 48x in FHD with digital “i.ZOOM” enabled. Face detection autofocus comes standard and can be controlled via the touchscreen LCD, plus there’s 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization with a special “Ball O.I.S. System” for shooting sports. The camera has a high-tech cooling system with a fan to assist with long, uninterrupted records.
Not only does the HC-X1600 include all of the great as the X1200, it also includes an electronic viewfinder, built-in Wi-Fi for remote controlling the camera, and an MOV recording format for use with higher-end editing programs. While adding less than a quarter of a pound to the overall weight, these three upgrades all provide a major assist in various modes of production. The viewfinder can help you compose better shots in bright sun and other lighting conditions that make the flip-out LCD difficult to read. Wi-Fi lets you rig the camera in hard-to-reach spots and control it from afar via smartphone or tablet, as well as livestream directly from the camera through various network protocols including RTSP and RTMP. The MOV recording format will interpolate better than an MP4 file in nonlinear editing systems and unlock 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 recordings at up to 30p.
The HC-X2 k100 sports all of the features from both cameras and adds some final cherries—a 3G-SDI output as well as a detachable handle unit that gives you dual XLR inputs and a built-in light. The SDI maxes out at 1080p but is still a massive boon for live production use. The detachable handle unit will drop your battery life a bit, as Panasonic promises closer to four and a half hours per charge, but that’s worth it for those wanting to capture clean, high-quality audio alongside their video. Using the internal mic or sending audio in via the 3.5mm port on the X1200 and X1600 can’t compare to the fidelity of a decent shotgun or lavalier mic going through XLR. The built-in LED won’t exactly light a room, with only a 30° throw and a low lux rating, but it’s useful in a pinch or nighttime shooting scenarios. The X2100 is also the only camera of the bunch that will be getting dual codec recording via a future firmware update, which should prove useful for proxy recording.
For more information about the Panasonic HC-X1200, HC-X1600, and HC-X2100, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
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