Note: Adorama is accepting pre-orders for the Panasonic HC-X1000 now and will fulfill orders on a first-come, first-served basis once the camera arrives in mid-October. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Panasonic has just unveiled the Panasonic HC-X1000, a pro-centric camcorder that can shoot 4K ultra HD video at 60p/50p frame rates, and the first 4K camcorder to record to an SD card. A pro-oriented camcorder that is capable of 8MP still image grabs and claims super-fast AF during shooting. While there isn’t much call yet for 4K content, recording such large files makes it easier to compensate for motion and makes it easier to zoom, crop and pan to 1080p in postproduction.
Panasonic HC-X1000 key features:
- 4K video recording in 4K (3,840×2,160) and 4K Cinema (4,096×2,160)
- 60p/50p recording at full resolution
- 20x zoom Leica Dicomar Lens
- 1/2.3-inch BSI Sensor
- High Bit Rate Recording for 4K and full HD
- HVCHD, MOV, MP4.
- ALL-Intra Compression max bit rate of 200 Mbps at full HD
- 2-Channel XLR Audio Input Terminals
- ND Filters
- 0 Lux Night Mode
- Wi-FI, NFC
- Dual SD Card Slots
- 49mm filters
Let’s take a more detailed look at the Panasonic HC-X1000.
The camera, which is built in an ENG-type design is fronted by a 20x Leica Dicomar zoom lens with (among other things) while there are three ND filters, and 1/4, 1/16 or 1/64 strength, allowing for long-exposure video in bright light. The 35mm-equivalent focal range is 29.5-600mm at 17:9 aspect ratio, and 31-626mm at 16:9 aspect ratio. Maximum aperture ranges from f/1.8-3.6. Iris (aperture), zoom and focus are independently controlled via three barrel rings on the lens. Inside, the optics are divided into four lens groups, each on its own motor. This allowed engineers to make the lens more compact.
The camcorder has both an oversized, eye-level/flip-up viewfinder with 1.226K dot resolution and a 3.5-inch LCD monitor with 1.152k dot resolution. The LCD monitor is touch-screen operated and is slide retractable; fits in a convenient storage drawer atop the camera and flips out for use. Monitor displays include Histogram, audio, resolution, Zebra-Pattern exposure assist and chroma level picture adjustment. There is also a level gauge and focus peaking to help indicate proper focus when focusing manually.
Video formats include HVCHD, MOV, and MP4 at full HD, and MP4 when shooting Ultra HD at 60p for 150 Mbs. Besides 60p, recording formats include 4K at 30 or 24p. Since most professional video jobs are currently at 1080p, the camera has an extensive range Full HD options. Full 1080p HD at 60P at 100 or 50Mbps, or a more cinematic 24p. The camera is always capturing 4K resolution; when shooting lower resolution, it downsamples the image in-camera, maintaining the same field of view without cropping. This gives you a competitive edge in a single camera, allowing you to offer 4K to forward-thinking clients.
For audio, the camera offers two XLR Audio Input Terminals, and records in LPCM format, with data rates up to 200 Mbps. The camera features analog audio level controls, which many users find are more intuitive than on-screen controls, and can be adjusted during recording.
While there are many buttons and switches on the camera body, many of them are covered or hidden by plastic doors so you don’t accidentally press one during recording. More frequently-used controls are easily accessible.
The camera has two SD Cards. One of the camera’s cool tricks is “background recording”: It continues recording footage on one of the cards even when you’ve turned off recording. This allows you to capture unrehearsed moments and bloopers.
With the HC-X1000, Panasonic is aiming squarely at DSLR users who use their cameras for HD video. At roughly the same cost as a high-end HDSLR, the HC-X1000 offers several features for video cinema, ENG and event videographers that even high-end DSLRs don’t offer, in a traditional high-end camcorder format.
ThePanasonic HC-X1000 is expected in mid-October, and will be available from Adorama for $3,499. It can be pre-ordered now.
