Panasonic HC-X1000 Review, Unboxing, User Manual
HIGHLIGHTS:
PANASONIC HC-X1000 - OVERVIEW
Filming something in 4K DCI or 4K UHD resolutions is admirable, yet the price of 4K professional camcorders may drive down your ambition. But, you don’t need to invest big to make great movies, as you have Panasonic. The brand has launched some highly specified 4K camcorder models under $2000; so the Panasonic HC-X1000 is the cheapest and best one.
This creative tool offers a range of attractive features like a Leica Dicomar wide-angle zoom lens, a 1/2.3” BSI MOS sensor, dual Venus image processing engines, a hybrid optical image stabilization system, and an advanced automated focusing function to capture stunning quality videos.
It records 24P 4K DCI and 60P 4K UHD on dual memory card slots which allows live streaming of 1080P high-def videos; it supports a range of connectivity options, including XLR audio input options. Go through the detailed review of the features to get a better view of the Panasonic HC-X1000.
panasonic hc x1000 review
Design & Features
The mid-sized Panasonic HC-X1000 feels compact, lightweight, and easily manageable; while holding it in your palm. The heavy-duty plastic-built camera body weighs only one and a half Kilograms and doesn’t feel flimsy. The configured handgrips on the overhead handle and right side feature a record button and zoom rocker to ease the handheld shooting job.
The camera body has a host of manual control options, fronted by the lens barrel section, containing the adjustable zooming, focusing, and IRIS control rings. These rings are accessible from the left, below, and partially from the top side.
The bulk of the remaining physical function buttons, audio controls, ND filters, and access to media slots are featured on the left side. The top handle has a microphone holder, accessory mounting Cold shoe, and an XLR input unit. This XLR unit is located near the microphone holder that is placed on the right backside of the camera body.
The Panasonic HC-X1000 has a rotatable histogram 3.5-inch display monitor with a touchable LCD screen, Zebra pattern, and color bar. The screen presents several 4K editing features, creative control options, one-touch focus peaking, and focus expanding options. The 1,152,000 dots resolution screen is bright enough for shooting under bright sun lights, but the touch screen has average responsiveness and requires a firm touch.
As a bonus, the camcorder incorporates a 1,226,880 Dots resolution electronic viewfinder, which is larger than other competitor camcorders, 0.45-inches. The eyepiece provides a clear and bright preview of the scenes with 100% field coverage.
The Leica Dicomar 4K lens delivers an f/1.8 – f/3.6 aperture range and 35mm equivalent focal length range of 30.8 to 626 mm; a perfect solution for interviewing or shooting in tight space. The high-quality physical camera lens offers a 20X optical zooming range and never loses resolution, not even the highest magnification point.
The 48X digital zoom is available in three levels, 2X, 5X, and 10X, which nicely assist when you require a little more zoom after the optical zoom gets exhausted. It stretches images with minimal distortions, which are almost unnoticeable.
The backside-illuminated 8.29 MP resolution 1/2.3-inch large MOS sensor provides so-so low-light performance, but infrared night shooting modes capture magical videos; built-in filters are also present in the camcorder that come in handy in maintaining color temper under external flashlights.
The dual image processing engines reduce ambient and motor noises during zooming in or out and maintain sharp image quality during zooming or image stretching. The Panasonic HC-X1000 uses the ‘Power’ optical image stabilization mechanism while shooting in cinematic 4K DCI /4K resolution and 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization mechanism for full HD or lower resolution video to give superb stable footage, even on the go.
Image and video quality
The Panasonic HC X1000 records cinematic 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) resolution videos in 24P mode at 100 Mb/s bit rate. The 24P, 30P, 50P, and 60P recording modes are available for 4K (3840 x 2160) at 100 to 150 Mbps. While, full HD (1920 x 1080) is available for at 50 to 200 Mbps resolution videos.
The cinematic 4K DCI resolution video looks spectacular on 4K projectors; it gives you the same feeling like a movie theatre. However, the camcorder broadcasts video in HD resolution. If you convert the 4K videos into HD resolution, it will appear with similar sharpness; even the picture quality would be better than a standard HD camcorder.
To ensure the best audio-video quality, the HC X1000 uses particular audio-video codecs for different resolutions. The MP4 codec and 2-Channel LPCM stereo for all resolution videos, MOV codec for full HD videos with 2-Channel LPCM, and finally the most desired AVCHD format with 2-Channel Dolby Digital sound for HD, full HD and (1440x1080) resolution lower HD videos for HD TV.
We would suggest using MP4 codec recording for IP streaming and 4K filming as it takes 3-times less storage space than AVCHD format.
STORAGE
The camcorder is compatible with the Panasonic AG-VBR Series batteries; though, it comes with a 5,800mAh Lithium-ion battery pack.
The Panasonic HC X1000 has arrived with dual media slots to provide the advantages of simultaneous, relay, and background recording. It supports SDHC or SDXC cards; even so, the usage of U3 rated cards is compulsory for 4K recording.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Panasonic HC-X1500 produces 8-bit 4:2:0 colored video output. You can connect your video devices like a projector, television, computer, either by establishing a wired connection via a 3.5 mm port, type-A HDMI, type-A USB, and micro-B USB ports or using a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth compatible wireless connection.
It features two 3-pin XLR interfaces to take audio input from external microphones and provides a stereo output on headphones via a 3.5mm port.
BEST FEATURES OF PANASONIC HC-X1000 CAMCORDER
Being a professional filmmaker or videographer, you may decide to invest in one that must have 4K recording ability, right? But, the Panasonic HC X1000 goes beyond 4K resolution; it offers two 4K standards – 4K DCI and 4K UHD. But, I wouldn’t recommend spending extra on this camcorder only because it shoots in 4K UHD and cinematic DCI 4K.
It will give you more with great camera ergonomics, stunning picture quality, satisfying image stability, quality compression, impressive IP streaming, and admirable consistent workflow at a consumer price.
SPECIFICATIONS OF PANASONIC HC X1000
LENS SPECIFICATION
Focal Length | 4.8 to 81.6 mm |
Zoom | Optical Zoom - 20X Digital Zoom - 48X |
Aperture Range | f/1.8 – f/3.6 |
Filter Size | 49 mm |
Control Rings | Focus / Zoom / IRIS |
Focus Control | Autofocus / Manual Focus |
IMAGE SENSOR
Sensor Size | 1/2.3" |
Sensor Type | MOS Sensor |
Resolution | 8.29 Megapixel |
CAMERA SPECIFICATION
Image Stabilization |
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Built-In ND Filter | 2 Stop (1/4), 4 Stop (1/16), 6 Stop (1/64) and clear ND Filter |
Shutter Speed | 1/1 to 1/30 sec |
Gain | 0 to 30 dB |
Minimum Illumination | 4 Lux at 1/30 Shutter Speed |
VIDEO RECORDING
Recording Formats | AVCHD/MOV/MP4 |
Recording Resolution | MP4
MOV
AVCHD
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Audio Recording |
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Still Image
Image Format | JPEG |
Image Size |
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DISPLAY SCREEN
Screen Size | 3.5" |
Resolution | 1,152,000 Dot |
Display Type | 270-Degree Articulating, Touch Screen LCD |
EVF
EVF Display Type | LCD |
Screen Size | 0.45" |
EVF Resolution | 1,226,880 Dots |
Connectivity
Wired Connection |
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Wireless Interfaces | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
Mounting Feature
Accessory Mount | 1 Cold Shoe Mount |
Tripod Mount | 1/4"-20 Female Thread |
Power
Compatible Battery Type | Panasonic AG-VBR Series, Lithium-ion |
Battery Model | Panasonic VW-VBD58E-K |
Battery Capacity | 5800 mAh |
PANASONIC HC-X1000 TEST FOOTAGE
PANASONIC HC-X1000 UNBOXING
PANASONIC HC-X1000 USER MANUAL
You will be receiving a detailed user manual while purchasing a PANASONIC HC-X1000. 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 HC-X1000 camcorder, click here.
PANASONIC HC-X1000 ACCESSORIES
Extra Batteries
The included rechargeable battery may last hardly 4 hours; on the other hand, 4k filming and continuous or relay recording enhance power consumption. So you should always have extra pairs of batteries to keep shooting on.
Extra Memory cards
The 4K resolution videos come with a large file size; if you use AVCHD encoding format, the file size will increase three times more than another codec. So, keeping extra memory cards would be a wise decision.
External Microphone and Flash Light
If you wish to become a news cameraman or professional event videographer, you must be a run-and-gun shooter. You will get only one chance to capture some situations or fleeting moments, and you have to frame it perfectly with the best quality audio and video.
As you know, the Panasonic HC X1000 has a tiny 1/2.3” image sensor, so you have to mount an external flashlight on the handle to bring out the best shot under low-light situations. Try to use an external shotgun microphone; while going to news gatherings or interviewing someone.
Conclusion
Even though most content is still displayed in HD, the 4K resolution has become the industry's new standard. The film industry has started using the DCI 4K standard for movie production and generalizes it as C4K or cinematic 4K. It provides more pixels plus different aspect ratios to look stunning on the large screen and more editing flexibility than 4K. The 4K ultra HD resolution is ideal for online content and television productions.
So, it’s time to upgrade your camera specs. After reading through the spec sheet of the Panasonic GC X100, I think you’ve already come to the realization that undoubtedly it could be a better choice for all experienced videographers, be it live event shooting or 4K professional filming.
