Panasonic X1 Review

The AVCHD format may be utilized at data rates up to 25Mbits/sec for resolutions of Full HD and below. However, MP4/MOV offers several really high-quality options, like All-Intra Full HD at 200Mbits/sec. DCI is available at 100Mbits/sec and UHD is supplied at 150Mbits/sec, both of which are still rather high, although 4K cannot be recorded at this speed.

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Panasonic HC-X1 4K Ultra HD Professional Camcorder (Black)

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 1:57 am
$2,849.99

The HC-X1E differs from Canon in how it approaches daily life in practice. When filming 4K, the XC10 and XC15 need the use of prohibitively costly CFast 2.0 cards, but the HC-X1E uses SDXC storage, with two slots available, for HD or 4K.

Canon provides a professional-grade 305Mbits/sec in 4K, which is faster than what SDXC can consistently give. As a result, the HC-X1E may use considerably less expensive media, but at the cost of more severe compression that could result in worse image quality.

Operating Instructions and Manuals for the Panasonic HC-X1E

There are two hand-held shooting positions made possible by the EVF and LCD screen’s placement. You have two options for holding the camera: either lay it on your shoulder and utilize the LCD screen, or hold it with two hands so the EVF is at eye level. Since the EVF has 1,769,000 dots, it is preferred for sharp focus pulls compared to the 3.5-inch LCD, which only has 1,152,000 dots.

Therefore, the HC-X1E is a flexible camera to use for shooting. A wide variety of manual control is accessible, and there are several distinct buttons and dials for quick access. Options for the built-in ND filter include 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64.

Three lens rings are present: the front one controls focus, the middle one zooms, and the one closest to the body controls the iris. A button beside turns on each of these features. However, the zoom control is electrical rather than physically manipulating the lens, therefore it works with a very brief delay.

If this isn’t sufficient for you, there is a little wheel at the bottom of the body that can be adjusted for various purposes, such as gain, white balance, and shutter, using separate buttons.

In addition to buttons for activating the waveform monitor, zebra, optical image stabilization, and switching between the EVF and LCD, there are three user-assignable buttons. You may set up rapid access to the latter by reassigning it, giving you the flexibility you need.

Overall, the HC-X1E has excellent manual control capabilities, and these controls are logically and ergonomically placed on the camera body.

HC-X1E from Panasonic – Audio, and Connectivity

The two XLR audio inputs of the HC-X1E are located in two distinct places. This may seem like an odd decision at first, but consider how XLR connections are typically used—whether with a mono shotgun mic mounted on top of the camera, a wireless lapel mic, or perhaps both. The physical separation of the inputs for these does make some sense.

Under a translucent plastic lid that allows these wheels to be adjusted when closed but keeps the other audio controls out of the way, the two audio channels may be independently controlled by small wheels. It’s convenient to be able to choose between mic, line, or +48V phantom power levels and transmit either audio input to either channel of the stereo pair.

Many other ports are accessible. On the top, there is a USB 3.0 Host connector that enables the attachment of external storage devices with capacities ranging from 32GB to 2TB. There includes a full-sized HDMI output, a USB 3.0 Micro-B connector for accessing the camera’s storage, and even composite analog video outputs with RCA audio. There includes a mini-jack for attaching headphones, a mini-jack for controlling the external focus, and a micro-jack for controlling the external zoom.

Performance and Image Quality of the Panasonic HC-X1E

In comparison to the HC-X1000E, which had consumer-grade video capabilities housed in a professional-grade casing, the HC-X1E is a far more serious competitor.

The picture quality of the 1-inch-type CMOS is commensurate with its size, which is still much smaller than Micro Four Thirds or APS-C but somewhat bigger than consumer-grade sensors.

When using the HC-X1E outside on a dimly lit day, it captures vivid color and lots of detail. Additionally, the 150Mbits/sec transmission rate is sufficient to prevent any compression problems.

In low light conditions, the bigger sensor in particular shines, with the HC-X1E greatly surpassing the HC-X1000E. In poor light, you can even boost video gain without significantly increasing noise.

You may view some examples of video captured at the highest 4K quality level right here.

Is the Panasonic HC-X1E a good investment?

Compared to the HC-X1000E, the Panasonic HC-X1E is a far more serious prospect. The fixed lens could even be advantageous in some situations, like electronic news gathering, despite the fact that it lacks high-speed shooting options. It may also approximate the “DSLR appearance,” which is currently very in demand.

This model is very much a “prosumer,” and the pricing reflects it. However, the Panasonic HC-X1E has a lot going for it if you’re seeking a dependable, feature-rich, high-quality 4K camcorder for corporate and student filmmaking. The price is actually fairly affordable in that aspect.

Panasonic X1 Specifications

Imaging

Sensor ResolutionEffective: 9.46 Megapixel
Sensor Type1″-Type MOS Sensor
Image StabilizationOptical in Integrated Lens
Digital
Built-In ND FilterMechanical Filter Wheel with 2 Stop (1/4), 4 Stop (1/16), 6 Stop (1/64) ND Filters
Capture TypeStills & Video

Exposure Control

Shutter TypeNot Specified by Manufacturer
Shutter Speed1/8000 to 1/2 Second
Minimum Illumination0.2 Lux at 1/2 Shutter Speed
White Balance2000 to 15,000K

Lens

Focal Length8.8 to 176mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24 to 480mm)
Optical Zoom Ratio20x
Max Digital Zoom200x
Maximum Aperturef/4.5
Minimum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Focus DistanceNot Specified by Manufacturer
Filter Size67 mm
Control RingsFocus
Zoom
Iris
Focus ControlAutofocus
Manual Focus
Internal Recording ModesMP4
4096 x 2160 at 23.98 fps [100 Mb/s]
3840 x 2160 up to 59.94 fps [100 to 150 Mb/s]
1920 x 1080p up to 59.94 fps [50 to 200 Mb/s]
AVCHD 4:2:0 8-Bit
1920 x 1080p up to 59.94/119.88 fps [21 to 25 Mb/s]
1920 x 1080i up to 59.94 fps [17 to 21 Mb/s]
1440 x 1080i up to 59.94 fps [5 Mb/s]
1280 x 720 at 59.94 fps [8 Mb/s]
Variable Frame Rates1080p: 2 to 60 fps
Recording LimitUp to 1650 Minutes
Broadcast OutputNTSC/PAL
Audio Recording2-Channel
IP StreamingNone

Still Image Capture

Image Sizes16:9 JPEG
8.3 MP (3840 x 2160)
512:135 JPEG
8.8 MP (4096 x 1080)
Aspect Ratio16:9
Image File FormatJPEG

Interface

Media/Memory Card SlotDual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Video I/O1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRRS A/V (Composite) Output
1 x HDMI Output
Audio I/O2 x XLR 3-Pin Microphone Input
1 x Stereo 2RCA Microphone Output
1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output
Power I/O1 x Barrel (11.4 to 12.6 VDC) Input
Other I/O1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Control Input
1 x 2.5 mm Sub-Mini Control Input
1 x USB-A
1 x Micro-USB
WirelessNone
Global Positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.)None

Monitor

Size3.5″
Resolution1,152,000 Dot
Display TypeArticulating LCD

Viewfinder

TypeBuilt-In Electronic (OLED)
Size0.39″
Resolution1,769,000 Dot

Focus

Focus TypeAuto and Manual Focus
Focus ModeAutomatic, Manual Focus

General

Battery TypePanasonic AG-VBR Series
Power Consumption19.7 W
Tripod Mounting Thread1 x 1/4″-20 Female
1 x 3/8″-16 Female
Accessory Mount1 x Cold Shoe Mount
Dimensions (W x H x D)6.8 x 7.7 x 13.6″ / 17.3 x 19.5 x 34.6 cm
Weight4.4 lb / 2 kg

Packaging Info

Package Weight9.35 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)18.1 x 12.4 x 10.8″

Panasonic X1 Price

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Panasonic HC-X1 4K Ultra HD Professional Camcorder (Black)

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 1:57 am
$2,849.99
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