NEWS
Panasonic’s new 4K camcorder duo
Panasonic has launched two new professional 4K camcorders with 1.0-type sensors, ideal for news, interviews, event broadcast and streaming. stabilisation and high-speed AF with face detection. The HC-X2 costs £2879/$3199 and the HC-X20 £2249/$2600. Both cameras record internally to dual SD memory cards in 4:2:2 10-bit 4K at up to 30p, but also have super slow- motion at up to 120fps and variable frame rate from 2-60fps. Plus, there is HEVC The HC-X2 and HC-X20 have a 20x optical zoom, five-axis image recording for more efficient storage. Each model includes simultaneous display on the LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder, triple manual control rings on the lens, XLR audio input terminals, ND filters and built-in Wi-Fi. The HC-X2 also offers HLG and V-Log recording for 4K HDR content, as well as Ethernet connectivity and simultaneous SDI/HDMI output and HD livestreaming capabilities via a range of protocols. Its integrated lens ranges from 24.5- 490mm telephoto, while digital zoom allows 24x zoom in 4K and 32x zoom in FHD. There is face detection AF/AE and a precise focus lens drive for focusing speed and tracking performance. The LCD monitor can be touched to activate subject tracking with colour recognition. The HC-X2 and HC-X20 feature a hybrid system, in which optical and electronic image stabilisation work together to detect and correct camera shake across five axes – including rotational blurring. This enables smooth panning and steady handheld shooting, even at 20x zoom. With 15.03 megapixels, the 1.0-type MOS sensor offers 3840x2160 recording with zero cropping. The camcorders support a wide range of bit rates and formats. For internal recording, there is UHD at 29.98p/25p and FHD up to 59.97p/50p in 4:2:2 10-bit, while UHD 60p 4:2:2 10-bit can be recorded externally via HDMI. HEVC recording in Long GOP, 10- bit 4:2:0 and MOV is available in 59.97p at 200Mbps. Files are MOV, MP4 and AVCHD.
STREAMING SIBLINGS The HC-X2 (above) shares plenty of spec with the HC-X20 (top right) but also has Ethernet connectivity and SDI output
viewfinder can be used simultaneously. The displays offer Focus Assist functions including Expand, Peaking and Area mode. There are 14 customisable buttons – nine on the body and five on the LCD touch panel. The integrated ND filter has four settings (Clear, 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64). The included battery has been designed to sit within the camera body shape, rather than protrude from the unit. It provides long, continuous shooting times: approximately three hours and 50 minutes on the HC-X2 and four hours and 25 minutes for the HC-X20. Two switchable XLR inputs support +48v phantom power. Audio can also be recorded in 24-bit linear PCM (MOV), 16- bit AAC (MP4) or Dolby Audio (AVCHD). Both cameras offer image adjustment functions, including Soft Skin to automatically adjust and smooth skin tones, 16-axis independent colour correction to allow colour matching for multiple cameras and 8-Mode Gamma, which offers eight gamma presets.
High Dynamic Range is available on the HC-X2 through its Hybrid Log Gamma mode – or shoot in 13-stop V-Log mode for maximum range. Built-in Wi-Fi makes connectivity easy, with a free app enabling remote camera operation using tablets and smartphones. The HC-X2 is equipped with Ethernet, ideal for a highly stable livestreaming set- up, while the HC-X20 can be connected to a wired LAN through its optional USB Ethernet adapter. FHD live streaming uses RTSP/RTP/RTMP/RTMPS protocols, and allows for direct broadcast to platforms like Facebook and YouTube. The HC- X2’s USB tethering function allows live streaming via 5G smartphones. A 3.5in, 2760K-dot LCD touchscreen monitor and 2360K-dot tiltable OLED
“Built-in Wi-Fi makes connectivity easy, with a free app enabling remote camera operation”
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