NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - January 05, 2016) - Panasonic announces its 2016 consumer camcorder lineup, which includes two 4K UHD models (HC-WXF991 and HC-VX981) and three Full HD models (HC-W580, HC-V380, and HC-V180), with two Twin Camera options among them. The new models feature some exciting new features such as in-camera 4K editing tools and Wireless Multi Camera, while also offering now ubiquitous features such as built-in Wi-Fi, 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.+, and Level Shot.
Panasonic HC-WXF991K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder with Twin Camera
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1211805-REG/panasonic_hc_wxf991k_4k_camcorder.html
- 4K Ultra HD Video at 24/30 fps
- 1/2.3" BSI MOS Sensor
- 20x Leica Dicomar Optical Zoom Lens
- Twin Camera & Wireless Multi-Camera
- Tilting 0.24" EVF / 3.0" Touchscreen LCD
- 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ and Level Shot
- In-Camera 4K Cropping and Editing
- Built-In Cinema-Like Effects
- Capture Stills from 4K Video Frames
- HDR Movie Mode
The two 4K UHD camcorders, the Panasonic HC-WXF991 and the HC-VX981, feature a 1/2.3" BSI MOS sensor with 8.29-megapixel effective resolution, which combines with a Crustal Engine 4K processor to capture up to 4K UHD video at 24/30 fps, as well as interpolated still images up to 25.9 megapixels. You even have the ability to pull 4K (8.29 megapixel) still photos from your 4K video frames using the 4K PHOTO mode. High-resolution video recording is further bolstered by accurate and high-speed auto-focusing technologies, and a 20x Leica Dicomar lens that offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 30.8mm at the wide end.
Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder highlights
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1211806-REG/panasonic_hc_vx981k_4k_camcorder.html
- 4K Ultra HD Video at 24/30 fps
- 1/2.3" BSI MOS Sensor
- 20x Leica Dicomar Optical Zoom Lens
- Wireless Multi-Camera Support
- 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ and Level Shot
- 3.0" Touchscreen LCD
- In-Camera 4K Cropping and Editing
- Capture Stills from 4K Video Frames
- HDR Movie Mode
Where the HC-WXF991 differs from the HC-VX981 is the addition of a tiltable viewfinder to benefit shooting in bright daylight conditions, as well as a built-in sub-camera located on the flip-out 3" LCD screen -- a feature also found on the HC-W580 and previous Twin Camera models. It also adds built-in cinema-like effects, such as Slow & Quick Video, Slow Zoom, and Dolly Zoom. Besides for these differences, the cameras are the same, offering advanced functions and features to suit the needs of a variety of shooters, including in-camera 4K editing tools that allow you to extract 1080p resolution video from your 4K footage, and add effects such as zooming, panning, tracking, and stabilizing.
Along with the two 4K camcorders, three new Full HD camcorders have also been announced. These camcorders -- the HC-W580, HC-V380, and HC-V180 -- all feature a 1/5.8" BSI MOS sensor which supports Full HD 1080p resolution video at 60 fps, and an impressive 50x optical / 90x Intelligent zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent wide-angle focal length of 28mm. The HC-W580 is the Twin Camera version of the HC-V380, while the HC-V180 is an entry-level offering for users who don't need built-in Wi-Fi or a 1080p 50 Mbps MP4 recording mode, and who don't mind a slightly smaller and lower-resolution 2.7" LCD screen.
Built-in Wi-Fi enables a plethora of features on the camcorders, chief among them Panasonic's new Wireless Multi Camera. This feature is an expansion of Wireless Twin Camera found on previous models, which enabled picture-in-picture recording using a Wi-Fi connected smartphone or built-in sub-camera. Wireless Multi Camera lets you link up to three smartphones, and record two picture-in-picture images instead of one. This makes it easy and fun to capture multiple angles and viewpoints at once. Additional Wi-Fi features include remote control and sharing via mobile app, live video streaming using USTREAM, and a Baby Monitor function to check in on a sleeping baby in another room.
Twin Camera models -- the HC-WXF991 and HC-W580 -- feature a pan/tilt sub-camera integrated into the edge of the LCD monitor. This makes it easy to capture a second camera angle within a picture-in-picture window without having to wirelessly link a smartphone. A backup function allows you to record images simultaneously with and without the sub-window for greater flexibility during post. These models also have a Narration mode, which emphasizes the user's voice during recording -- a feature that is particularly useful when the sub-camera is capturing a close-up of the user's face.
Found on the top three models (HC-WXF991, HC-VX981, HC-W580), the HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie Mode lets you capture a wider dynamic range with more highlight and shadow information preserved. It does this by capturing and combing two images taken with different exposures for every frame of the video. A dedicated HDR button lets you quickly activate the mode when shooting in high-contrast shooting conditions, or scenes that could have blown-out highlights.
Rounding out the key features of the camcorders is in-body 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.+ and Panasonic's original Level Shot function. Available on all five models, 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.+ combines optical and digital stabilization to suppress image blurring and jitters caused by hand-shake, while Level Shot detects and corrects for tilted or unleveled shots. The result is clearer, level, and more stable-looking handheld footage.
View a large selection of Camcorders at B&H Photo Video
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Camcorders/ci/1820/N/4294548420
Read all about the new Panasonic Camcorders at B&H Explora Blog http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/unveiled-pocketable-panasonic-4k-capable-zs100-and-zs60-point-and-shoot-cameras
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