THE VERDICT If you want a thoroughly
through its optional USB Ethernet adapter. So Panasonic possesses great performers for all budgets and needs that will boost your streaming game. HOW IT RATES Features: 9 Good for livestreaming and great audio quality Performance: 8 Impressive results from a do-it-all one-inch camcorder Handling: 9 Easy menus, but no advanced AF Value for money: 8 OVERALL RATING: 9/10 Good quality, easy streaming and great value Pros: Ease of streaming, 4K quality Cons: Not full-frame, no Raw recording Good value for a compact, pro-quality streaming cam
modern camcorder that covers both events and news, is easily controlled, has a long battery life, produces great audio/images and can be livestreamed to just about anything, the Panasonic HC-X2 is meant for you. Handling is excellent, it’s compact with a large zoom range and the results are very good, especially in decent light. It has plenty of camcorder competition, though – even from within Panasonic – like the CX350, which is three years old and very similar to the X2. That is around £500/$500 more, but you get 10-bit All-Intra codecs. Although it has a worse screen and not as many connections. That does make the X2 a better buy, really. The X2 has a cheaper sibling in the form of the £2250/$2598 HC-X20, which has the same sensor and codecs. The X20 omits HLG and V-Log colour and SDI connections, but can be connected to a wired LAN
output. Overall, audio is excellent and easy to set up. The X2 boasts pro image adjustment functions like 16-axis independent colour correction, similar to full broadcast video cameras, as well as detail, skin detail, chroma level, chroma phase, master pedestal, gamma and knee setting functions. The IR cut filter can be turned off, so IR lights may be used for shooting in darkness. In terms of actual footage, it’s excellent – especially in 10-bit 4:2:2 4K. The colours are natural and the images sharp, with good contrast and just the right amount of saturation. The sensor size means that the X2 will never be the prince of darkness, and noise rears its head at high ISO settings, but that noise isn’t too distracting. It’s fairly smooth and organic – not too bad at all. As a camera made for so many situations, such as ENG and event livestreaming, it’s a winner.
X2 MARKS THE SPOT Full audio controls are found behind a clear plastic cover (above right). Shallow depth-of-field isn’t a strength (top right)
More information
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