Panasonic Camcorder, Professional Quality 4K 60p, 1" Sensor, 24.5mm Wide Angle Lens and 20x Optical Zoom, V-Log, Ethernet, Simultaneous SDI/HDMI Output, HD Live Streaming - HC-X2

Just what i wanted, the camera is spectacular , sure ! it won't beat a full sensor and higher megapixels, how ever; the image is very clear, and does feel like 4k at 59. frames, zoom blows my mind compare to a DSLR camera, this camcorder is an all in one feature specifically purpose for pull out and shoot, way faster auto tracking, auto setting often keeps it at f8 wile compensating, so image looks great even at full zoom looks like a bigger image at high quality in 4k mode; as if it was a 90xzoom lens, often other cameras will have the same range at just HD an they have smaller image size lower quality, this camera retains clear image and wider picture. probably a quick observation on a downside is that the auto balance in front of a strong light source darkens the image, how ever it can be fix in pose with absolute certainty or using manual mode, this tool camcorder is mainly for video capture but at each 59. frames it retains a nice picture quality image, DSLR purpose is hybrid with more tedious settings but of course quality is at professional level though also twice or more expensive for one scenario occasion. so it just depends what your looking for and what you need it for, i value the camcorder as indispensable equipment, unless you want to buy a 6k or 12k~15k camera equipment then skip this one. I suggest getting both DSLR and a Camcorder.

Does the Varizoom Rock Style Zoom work with the x2? & the answer for myself using it was yes, but the w to T is very touchy so you have to practice being gentle with touching either side or it will zoom in or out to quick and doesnt look professional. I owned a panasonic hmc 80 before this camera and alot more controls that I need to make a great quality sports live stream and filming and I work with the shutter settings for night time exposure for football so their is good lighting and contrast of the colors, so sometimes I switch to the auto shutter for the best results

Great

It's relatively inexpensive, and it's nice to have a 20x optical electronic-controlled optical zoom. This is the most definite benefit that no full-frame camera seem to offer. However, the camcorder is much larger and heavier than a comparable mirrorless full-frame camera, and produces poorer footage in low light. I needed to set a remote zoom, because manual operation produces too much shake on a tripod. No remote control was found to work with this camcorder, but it's supposed to offer similar functionality through a smartphone app. The camcorder is supposed to create its own WiFi hotspot, to which one connects a smartphone and controls the camcorder through a downloaded application. The default password is buried in a lengthy manual, and once found, input, and accepted by a WiFi connection setup on my iPhone, it refused to connect. iPad refused to connect either. Switching WIFI channels, and changing other settings brought no joy. No help found online, nor any response to my posted question. Amazon said unable to help, go and get support from to Panasonic. Panasonic hid its support number, but offered a chat. I tried the chat, but it said the chat is unavailable out of business hours. It was around noon on Friday, not on a holiday, definitely within their business hours. I gave up and returned it. Too much hassle.

Based on the difference between the hc-x2 and hc-x20, the hc-x20 does not sound bad. I purchased the hc-x2 based on the sdi and Internet option. The goal of streaming to YouTube directly while recording in 4k cannot be done with this camera. If you decide to stream, the video quality must be lowered to fit the streaming standards that it can broadcast. This is standard or as designed, but if you want to record a 4k resolution while live streaming in 1080, the options are grayed out. It will only allow the quality of the live stream to be recorded. We often broadcast live when available and record in a higher resolution to upload later. With this new understanding on how the camcorder operates, we are not going to use the hc-x2 for streaming. We rather stream using an external device so we can retain the 4k quality for upload editing. I suggest to use the sdi and not use the hdmi while on set. Ideally, the hdmi is for servicing such as when it is used while sitting or play back. It does get in the way but it works well if you decide to use the hdmi. I'm still making my adjustments for sound but even with the limiters enabled, I hear air space. I'll add to this review later when I finish my design and first recording with the hc-x2. I am still happy even though my reasons to buy it have not been met or answered for my live stream requirements. Kind of bummed there. The layout works for my rig, the menu works well, especially with the manual controls. Everything else I'm sure you can research about it as it is great. If the sdi was on the hc-x20, I probably would have returned the hc-x2 for it. All is well. Finally running with the dogs now. Look forward to posting my first true 4k video. First update How do I get rid of the hissing sound? I unplugged all the mics and recorded with no sound and there is a bad hissing noise no matter what setting I try to eliminate it. Do I have a defective camera or am I missing something? Please help. Amazon is doing a swap to replace it as a defective item but now I'm looking for another camera just incase. Second update Well, it's good in so many ways. I wonder if the sound would have been fixed with another unit but I decided to go Canon xf605. What a difference at the same time there are some tradeoffs that you will need to consider. Panasonic provides simultaneous options for using the rocker and the rings at the same time, as Canon does not. Panasonic I believe offers uvc audio output although I have not tried it. Canon does no offer this. Canon has better audio control. Panasonic needs some work on that. Even if I had a good unit the options of control could be improved. Canon has better speed control for zoom. Panasonic did not seem to have any features for zoom. It was one speed for the most part. Panasonic form factor is fair but Canon XF605 of my....it's tiny. There are some other differences between the two but Panasonic did a good job overall. For me, spending the extra $1,500 us is worth it. I really thought Panasonic was the one based off of the ability to live stream and the uvc audio. Both units have a problem with live streaming. Panasonic enables rtmp while Canon offers rtsp. The difference is Panasonic will host your stream to YouTube directly while Canon options need other tools for it to work for the most part. If Panasonic would have allowed you to record 4k with a YouTube proxy in HD, I'm sure I would have give it a second chance. I'm happy with the Canon and I do appreciate Panasonic as their price point is amazing. They are both good products but it's best to understand your needs and limitations of the camcorder that fits you. Final review I was going to explain more to help viewers make a decision but after receiving notice that it can take 60 days to get a refund on a broken product, I just gave up. Even contacting Amazon did not help. They hung up on me twice stating the will not help as I need to wait to receive my money back. They would not give it the courtesy that this was an exchange. I'm tired of being treated this way. It's completely unfair.