Panasonic has launched two new video camcorders …in 2024
Nov 1, 2024
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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While the debate over the death of DSLRs still seems to rage on, one type of camera that many of thought was long dead years ago is actually still around. And what’s more, there are new ones. Panasonic has announced two new all-in-one consumer camcorders. In 2024.
They’re the Panasonic HC-VX3 ($899.99) and HC-V900 ($699.99). These modernised relics come six years after their predecessors, they bring up to 4K 60fps video, with five-axis hybrid OS and more modern tech.
Panasonic HC-VX3
The Panasonic HC-VX3 is arguably the better of the two cameras, offering 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. Although, there is an odd caveat with that. You only get 4K60 at certain zoom levels. I told you it was odd. The complete zoom range is only available at 24 or 25fps, not even 30fps.
Speaking of the zoom range, though, it offers a 24x optical zoom, with a field of view equivalent to a 25-600mm focal length range on a full-frame mirrorless camera. It sports 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ and Ball O.I.S. stabilisation to keep it steady while filming.
It possesses a relatively small 1/2.5″ sensor, but it’s helped a little by the bright f/1.8 aperture of the lens. 4K High-Precision AF, Panasonic says, keeps your subject locked on at all times. On the side is a bright 3.0″ touchscreen display for reviewing your scene or footage and navigating through menus and options.
This unit also appears to support timecode through the audio line input. Very handy for those of you who have already incorporated timecode into your workflow. It’s coming to a lot more cameras now, which is very nice to see at this level.
Panasonic HC-V900
While the two cameras look almost identical on the outside, the Pansonic HC-V900 is quite different on the inside. For a start, it only records up to 2K resolution. This offers a bit better latitude with frame rates, offering 60p all the way from 28.9-693.7mm equivalent and 24p from 25-600mm.
It features the same High Precision AF system as the HC-VX3, the same 5-axis hybrid & ball stabilisation system and the same 3.0″ touchscreen LCD on the side. There’s no timecode on this one, but it’s lightweight, compact, and ergonomic.
Possibly good for travel, its built-in zoom microphone features a windshield to minimise clipping and wind noise, but you can also plug in an external mic if you wish. It’s ergonomically designed for comfortable shooting and has a wired remote port as well as a USB-C socket.
Is the camcorder market still really all that popular? Haven’t most people switched to using a mirrorless camera or their phone already? I mean, I love camcorders as much as the next guy, and own a few 80s and 90s models, but in 2024?
Do you own a modern (i.e., records to a memory card, not tape or CDs) camcorder?
Price and Availability
The Panasonic HC-VX3 is available to pre-order now for $899.99. The Panasonic HC-V900 is also available to pre-order now for $699.99. Units are expected to ship in the coming weeks.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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