Above: AG-CX10
The world of videography just got a bit more interesting. Panasonic proudly announced 3 of the world’s smallest and lightest 4K 60P professional camcorders with Wide-Angle 25mm lens and 24X Optical Zoom; the AG-CX10, HC-X2000 and HC-X1500. With high optical performance, Panasonic’s exclusive high-precision Auto-Focusing, versatile high-quality recording, along with many professional functions, these camcorders bring a new high standard of on-site mobility and portability to professional video, all at only 1.5 kg or less! (That’s just over 3 pounds).
Starting with the precise optical performance, these camcorders have a 4-Drive Lens System, which controls the lens groups independently. This integrated lens offers a remarkably powerful optical 24x zoom that ranges from 25mm wide-angle to 600mm telephoto (35mm camera equivalent). i.ZOOM achieves 32x at 4K resolution, and 48x at FHD.
All three of the camcorders are designed with a Leica Dicomar Lens for its high standards of lens resolution, contrast, and quality, which allows them to produce stunningly beautiful images while suppressing flaring and ghosts. There are also two Manual Rings, one for focusing and the other for zoom or iris operation, which are different sizes so they can be accurately identified by touch.
Of course, these camcorders also have Panasonic’s high-speed, high-performance AF including Face Detection AF/AE. Face Detection AF/AE provides precise focusing and sufficient exposure for subjects, and together with the precise focus lens drive achieves superior focusing speed, stability and tracking performance for both 4K and Full-HD.
These camcorders have Optical Image Stabilization or O.I.S in both UHD and FHD modes as well as Electronic Image Stabilization. This operates to detect and correct handshake in 5 axes, including rotational blurring. The Ball O.I.S. System reduces friction on the drive section, achieving delicate correction even for small-amplitude handshake. This produces beautiful images while suppressing hand-shake even at high, 24x optical zoom.
As found in almost all of Panasonic’s LUMIX cameras, The Venus Engine is also incorporated in these camcorders. This enabled 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording with a maximum 29.97p in UHD, and a maximum 59.94p in FHD. When set for 10-bit recording, the camcorder delivers 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output, enabling high image quality capture with an external recorder. New, highly efficient HEVC recording (LongGOP/10-bit 4:2:0/MOV) is also supported for recording 59.94p at a high bit rate of 200 Mbps.
When it comes to slow-motion, FHD mode enables slow-motion recording at 120 fps (for 59.94 Hz)/100 fps (for 50 Hz). 10-bit recording is supported, and full-frame images with the image area uncropped are obtained even at high frame rates. Additionally, AF can be used in this mode.
Other features include:
- 3.5-inch monitor with 2 760K-dots of resolution
- Double SD card slot with unlimited Relay Recording
- 48-kHz/24-bit high-resolution linear PCM audio recording
- Built-in Wi-Fi module
- Optional handle unit that is equipped with a two-channel XLR audio input, audio control and LED light
The AG-CX10, HC-X2000 and HC-X1500 will be available in April 2020.
