The two new camcorders introduced into Panasonic’s 4K Ultra High Definition line-up, HC-WXF991 and HC-VX981, build on the success of the company’s first 4K camcorders which were introduced to the market last year.
As a leader in 4K technology, Panasonic’s new 4K camcorders enable in camera 4K editing tools and the company’s innovative 4K PHOTO mode, alongside features unique to Panasonic such as Wireless Multi Camera and enhanced cinemagraphic functions to simplify ease of use for any user.
By combining a wealth of advanced imaging technologies such as the Leica Dicomar lens, BSI sensor and Crystal Engine 4K, beautiful 4K images that boast four times the resolution of Full-HD can be captured for later viewing. In addition, high-speed, high-precision auto focus technologies, highly critical for 4K shooting, help to increase image quality further.
Panasonic claims, and did it again at CES 2016, that the extensive use of 4K in their cameras and camcorders is not just a matter of quantity, but quality. The say that by recording in 4K PHOTO mode, the user can obtain 8-megapixel still images of decisive moments that even the burst shooting of a DSLR camera struggles to capture. And these 4K technologies are all concentrated into a body that is almost as compact and lightweight as Panasonic Full-HD camcorders.
On the HC-WXF991 and HC-VX981 the new 4K Cropping cuts out Full-HD resolution video from 4K footage internally within the camcorder. The feature allows post edit effects to be added to a recorded video, such as zooming, panning, tracking and stabilizing. The edited video is saved in Full-HD format. This function is especially appreciated by those who want to create high-quality Full-HD videos.
The HC-WXF991 is packed with advanced functions and features to satisfy the needs of both professionals and high-amateurs. With the new tiltable viewfinder, this model makes it easier to capture subjects more precisely. Cinema-Like Effects are new features that allow the use of shooting techniques seen in the movies, such as Slow & Quick Video, Slow Zoom, and Dolly Zoom.
Wireless Multi Camera is a new function evolved from Panasonic’s original Wireless Twin Camera, which enables picture-in-picture recording using a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone as a sub-camera. While Wireless Twin Camera links to only one smartphone, Wireless Multi Camera connects to as many as three smartphones and records up to two sub-window images instead of one. This lets the user shoot from a variety of angles and viewpoints to capture a level of emotional impact that simply is not possible with a single camera. You can capture everyone’s memorable moment with Simultaneous Recording on the models HC-WXF991 and HC-VX981, HC-W580 and HC-V380.
The Twin Camera feature with a pan/tilt sub-camera on the edge of the LCD monitor allows simultaneous recording of images from two different angles, on the W580. Also provided are a Narration mode that emphasizes the camera user’s voice in recording and a backup function that simultaneously records images without the sub-window giving great flexibility to the user.
All new models feature Panasonic’s original Level Shot function, which detects and corrects the tilting of captured images, as well as 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.+. No matter which model is selected, these functions thoroughly suppress blurring caused by various types of hand-shake and automatically correct the tilting of captured images that may be unnoticed by the camera user while recording.
And when you’re not using some of these camcorders for video, they double as Baby Monitor. The HC-WXF991, HC-VX981, HC-W580 and HC-V380 include the Baby Monitor feature which enables you to check on a sleeping baby in another room with the camcorder connected to home network with a smartphone. You can call out to the baby using your smartphone or have a notification sent to your smartphone when your baby’s crying voice or other sound is detected. You can also provide live streaming of video over the Internet using USTREAM. It’s the Internet of Things taking shape.