Panasonic AG-CX10 Review, Unboxing, User Manual
HIGHLIGHTS:
PANASONIC AG-CX10 4K CAMCORDER - OVERVIEW
The Panasonic AGCX10 is a high-spec 4K/60p fixed lens camcorder; it gets preferred for behind-the-scenes (BTS) shooting, documentary shooting, newsgathering, and live streaming. It packs a variety of professional camera specifications and features into the compact and lightweight body, such as highly-precise autofocus, 5-axis optical image stabilization, built-in LED video light, and ND filters. With a 25mm wide-angle and 24x optical zoomed Leica Dicomar camera lens, the video camera achieves impressive optical performance.
The AG-CX10 lets you jump straight to 4K filming with 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, multi-format recording, to dual SD cards slots to meet most filming requirements. The direct live streaming function via Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, full IP workflow compatibility, and NDI|HX availability make it more convenient for multi-purpose usage.
The camcorder model covers most of the demanding features and specifications; let’s have a look at whether they are worthy or not -
PANASONIC AG-CX10 REVIEW
Design & Features
The Panasonic AG CX10 has been claimed to be the smallest, lightest, and easiest-to-use in the professional camcorder industry. The model comes with two different sized manually controlled rings, the first one deals with focus, and the second is switchable between IRIS and zoom.
The ND filter wheel allows you to rapidly switch between clear, 2-stop, 4-stop, and 6-stop ND filtering effects. It features a built-in LED light, a microphone holder to hold the regular shotgun mic, two 3-pin XLR audio inputs with individual volume control knobs, and a cold show mounting thread for additional external accessories.
The Leica Dicomar camera lens offers up to a 24X zoom range with a 35mm lens equivalent of 25mm to 600mm wide viewing angle. The maximum digital zoom is 48X during HD and 32X during 4K UHD recording.
The 1/2.5” large 8.29MP MOS sensor always shoots 4K resolution video with the highest clarity and stability. Despite being a small format sensor, it brings out crystal clear images or videos from dark areas by illuminating the subject with a soft and diffused light, thanks to the built-in LED lights and ND filters. The Venus image processing engine scales the 4K images to full HD resolution for both 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs, making it perfect for high-speed live streaming.
The hybrid image stabilization mechanism with electronic IS, 5-axis, and Ball optical image stabilization mechanisms achieves delicate correction from five angles. It detects and corrects the smallest amplitude handshakes and rotational blurring issues in both UHD and HHD modes at all focal lengths.
Panasonic features a high-speed autofocusing system into the AG-CX10; that tracks the moving subjects precisely and compensates exposure for the subjects. You’ll get rapid focusing speed and top-notch stability in both 4K ultra HD and full HD recording formats. You could activate the color recognition, face detection, and other handy auto-focusing options from the LCD panel just with a single touch.
The 3.5” fold-out high-resolution touch-friendly LCD screen is highly sensitive, making composition and camera settings accordingly very easy. On the other hand, a 0.24” LCD viewfinder lets you capture the frame comfortably. The display screen's and viewfinder's higher resolution help effectively during outdoor shooting under bright daylight.
Image and video quality
The camcorder offers versatile, high-quality recording options with different resolutions, color depth quality, frame rates, video, and audio formats. It uses AVCHD, MOV, and MP4 codecs, including HEVC compression format, to provide the best quality video in smaller file sizes and P2 MXF compression for broadcast stations. You could get AVC-Intra100/50 support and AVC-LongG support with a future firmware update.
The 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording supports a maximum of 29.97fps frame rates during UHD and a maximum of 59.94fps during FHD recording. During HEVC recording, it records LongGOP/10-bit 4:2:0/MOV videos at 59.94P and a bit rate of 200 Mb/s. The AG-CX10 always delivers 4K 60p 4:2:2 clean HDMI output while recording in 10-bit. This 10-bit recording mode could be used for full-frame images with no crop and activated autofocus functions. On the other hand, the FHD recording mode includes a slow-motion recording function at up to a 120 fps rate.
It also uses versatile stereo recording formats to ensure the best quality audio. The 2-channel sound recording function offers 24-bit linear PCM audio for MOV/P2 MXF videos, Dolby audio for AVCHD, and 16-bit AAC audio for MP4 codec.
The AG-CX10 supports direct live video streaming to major platforms over a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection through RTP/RTSP/RTMP/RTMPS streaming protocol. It records HD videos with broadcast compatible frame rates during live streaming over Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and other social sites.
Aside from Wi-Fi connection, you can use NDI|HX connectivity for ROP tablet-based control during a live production and an Ethernet connection during streaming. The streaming protocols break down the streaming data into smaller chunks for faster delivery, though the P2 compressed videos come with relatively lesser file size.
Bear in mind that the camera requires microP2 cards for P2 recording and an optional license for NDI|HX functionality.
STORAGE
The camcorder is compatible with Panasonic AG-VBR Battery Series, and the included power adapter is capable of fast charging with most of these battery models. These batteries take approximately 4 to 5 hours to get fully charged and offer a maximum of 6 to 7 hours of continuous shooting time, though the LED light could reduce the operation time.
The AG-CX10 comes with two SD card slots; both support relay recording with virtually limitless record times and simultaneous recording in different formats.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Panasonic AG-CX10 comes with the most advanced wired and wireless connectivity options. The users specifically adore +48V phantom-powered mic/line selectable dual XLR audio inputs, clean HDMI and 3G SDI output, Wi-Fi support, and NDI|HX support with future upgrade and optional license.
BEST FEATURES OF PANASONIC AG-CX10 4K CAMCORDER
The users appreciate the AG-CX10 for 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, compatibility with versatile recording and compression formats, and direct live streaming function. The hybrid image stabilization system and autofocusing system add extra benefits to its optical performance, keeping it stable, focused, and extremely sharp in all shooting conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS OF PANASONIC AG-CX10
LENS SPECIFICATION
Focal Length | 4.1 to 98.9mm |
Zoom | Optical Zoom - 24X |
Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 to f/4 |
Minimum Focus Distance | Telephoto: 47.2" / 1.2 m |
Filter Size | 62 mm |
Control Rings | Focus, Zoom, IRIS |
Focus Control | Autofocus, Manual Focus |
IMAGE SENSOR
Sensor Size | 1/2.5" |
Sensor Type | MOS sensor |
Effective Resolution | 8.29 Megapixel |
CAMERA SPECIFICATION
Image Stabilization | Optical and Electronic 5-Axis Image stabilization |
Built-In ND Filter | Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
Shutter Speed | 1/6 to 1/8000 sec |
Gain | 0 to 30 dB |
Minimum Illumination | 1.5 Lux at 1/30 Shutter Speed |
White Balance | 2000 to 15,000K |
VIDEO RECORDING
Recording Formats | AVCHD, MOV, and MP4 |
Video Resolution | H.265/MOV 4:2:0 10-Bit: MOV 4:2:2 10-Bit:
H.265/MP4 4:2:0 10-Bit:
|
IP Streaming | RTMPS, RTMP, RTP, RTSP |
Audio Recording
Format and Resolution | MOV: 2-Channel 24-Bit LPCM Audio |
Display Screen
Screen Size | 3.5" |
Resolution | 2,760,000 Dot |
Display Type | Articulating LCD Touch Screen |
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type | Attached LCD |
Screen Size | 0.24” |
EVF Resolution | 1,560,000 Dots |
Connectivity
Wired Connection | Video Connector
Other I/O |
Wireless Interfaces | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
Mounting Feature
Accessory Mount | Cold Shoe |
Power
Battery Model |
PANASONIC AG-CX10 TEST FOOTAGE
PANASONIC AG CX10 4K CAMCORDER UNBOXING
USER MANUAL
You will be receiving a detailed user manual while purchasing a PANASONIC CX10 camcorder. But, you can also view the user manual from the Company's official website. The user manual will have a complete guide on the different camera settings, firmware, and safety precautions you will need to follow while using this camcorder.
If you wish to check the official user manual of this PANASONIC AG-CX10 4K camcorder, click here.
PANASONIC CX10 ACCESSORIES
MEDIA CARDS
If you want to use the P2/MXF recording mode, you have to purchase a separate hybrid microP2 storage media card. We would also like to suggest keeping extra SD/SDHC/SDXC media cards all the time.
EXTRA BATTERIES
The camera doesn’t have a powerful image sensor; so, you may have to use the LED light most of the time to get the best possible image quality; that could reduce the operation time of the batteries. Keeping multiple batteries (compatible with Panasonic Battery AG-VBR Series) always would be a wise decision.
SHOULDER MOUNT KIT
You could mount the camera on a shoulder mounting kit with 1/4 “-20 accessory threads to get comfort during handheld shooting. Generally, such shoulder mounting kits come with Aluminum or other durable metal-built clamp and mounting platform, but they feature breathable EVA foam sponge cushioned shoulder pads for utmost comfort.
Conclusion
The professionals just loved the optical performance and high-end specifications of the Panasonic AG-CX10. The smart handling features make it easier to operate for beginners, though the price could obstruct the affordability for them. But be sure, you would get the most desirable features and functions just with a single investment.
