Panasonic has revealed two new camcorders aimed at consumers for the year 2024: the 4K HC-VX3 and the 2K HC-V900. These camcorders make it simple for families to capture special moments like school events and summer vacations. They feature a 24x optical zoom lens with a fast aperture range of f/1.8 to 4.0, along with 5-axis Hybrid O.I.S.+. This combination offers both electronic and optical image stabilization, ensuring clear and stable pictures even when zoomed in all the way.
Compact Design with Wide Zoom Range
Camcorders offer a much broader zoom range in a compact design compared to DSLRs. For instance, a f/4.0 300mm 4/3rds lens is nearly 23 cm (9 inches) in length, making camcorders a more portable option for capturing life's moments.
Both the HC-VX3 and HC-V900 come equipped with a 1/2.5-inch sensor that requires only 1.5 lux of light (0.5 lux in night mode). While recording, the 4K HC-VX3 sensor has 8.29 effective megapixels, whereas the 2K HC-V900 sensor provides 6.17 effective megapixels. In terms of still photography, both sensors also offer 8.29 effective megapixels, and users can take still shots while filming and then view them on the 3-inch, 1.84-megapixel capacitive LCD touchscreen.
User-Friendly Features
Designed with simplicity in mind, these camcorders include an iA mode that automatically manages focus with face detection, exposure using HDR imaging, and sound levels featuring 5.1-channel Dolby Audio. They power up in just one second when the 3-inch LCD display is opened. Additionally, the software on the computer can automatically generate edited clips, and a smartphone app is available to help prepare clips and images for sharing on social media platforms.
The dimensions of the 4K HC-VX3 are 68 × 77 × 158 mm (2.68 x 3.03 x 6.22 inches) and it weighs about 520g (18.3 ounces) including the battery pack. The 2K HC-V900 measures 68 × 77 × 141 mm (2.68 x 3.03 x 5.55 inches) and has a weight of 478 grams (16.9 ounces) with the battery pack. Both models can be charged using an external USB-C power bank or a standard AC power source. They also come with built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and USB-C connectivity options.
Pricing and Availability
The HC-VX3 comes with a suggested retail price of $899.99, while the HC-V900 is priced at $699.99. Consumers can expect to find both camcorders available for purchase by the end of November, including through the Panasonic Amazon store.
