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Panasonic's Newest Camcorders Come with Wi-Fi Support & Improved Toughness

By Joy Hou & Ng Chong Seng - on 26 Mar 2013, 11:04am

2013 Panasonic Full HD Camcorder Lineup

Panasonic has announced its 2013 lineup of full HD camcorders, which consists of the flagship HC-X920M, HC-V720, HC-V520, and the entry-level HC-V210 and HC-V110. Two full HD active style camcorders are also introduced: the HX-WA30 and HX-DC3.

The HC-X920M is Panasonic's newest flagship consumer camcorder.

Equipped with the new 3MOS System PRO, the X920 series models utilize BSI (backside illuminated) sensor tech to enhance the three MOS sensors to deliver superb shooting performance even in dimly-lit environments, and this reduces noise as much as 50% compared to earlier models. In the Singapore market, Panasonic will be bringing in the HC-X920M (which comes with 32GB internal flash memory); this model is the successor to the excellent HC-X900M of 2012. Like the X900M, the X920M doesn't shoot 3D natively, though this can be solved by using a 3D conversion lens. The V720 series comes with a new 1/2.33-inch High Sensitivity Sensor, while the V520 series uses a single 1/5.8-inch type BSI sensor.

All models in these three series also come with a new Level Shot function, which automatically detects and adjusts tilting images. There's also a 5-Axis Correction Hybrid O.I.S that helps to suppress blurring due to handshake or when a long zoom range is used (the V520 comes with a super-long 50x optical zoom lens). With built-in Wi-Fi support, they also allow home monitoring, live view control from a smartphone, and Real Time Broadcasting (in addition to onboard recording for the X920M and V720) to family and friends who are located far away. The latter is done via the Ustream video service.

Also new on the V720 and V520 series is NFC support. This allows one-touch connection between the camcorder and the smartphone or tablet. The X920 series doesn't have NFC support; however, it can generate a QR code, and users can scan the code with their smart device to establish a connection between the two.

The two entry models from the V210 and V110 series are also full HD camcorders, but they lack some of the features in the higher-end models, such as Wi-Fi support, Level Shot function, and the 5-axis image stabilizer. But both sport 38x optical zoom.

In addition to Wi-Fi support, the HX-WA30 sports dramatically improved tough performance.

Also announced are two active style MP4 camcorders, the HX-WA30 and HX-DC3. Thanks to their pistol-grip design, one-handed shooting with these camcorders is possible. The HX-WA30 is the premium model of the two, and sports some really tough specs, such as waterproof to a depth of 10m, shockproof from a height of 1.5m, freezeproof to temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, and dustproof. It also has built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to connect it with a smartphone or tablet to enable easy live view control, recorded data browsing, and sharing on social networking services. Both camcorders supports 16MP still image recording, but only the HX-WA30 has a 28mm wide-angle lens (40mm for the HX-DC3).

Below is a summary of the key features of the seven new camcorders:

2013 Panasonic Full HD Camcorder Lineup
Models Key Features Pricing
HC-X920M
  • 3MOS System Pro with BSI Sensor
  • 1080 TV Lines Horizontal Resolution
  • 20.4-megapixel Still Picture Recording
  • Real Time Broadcasting with Full-HD Recording
  • Home Monitoring and Remote Video Recording
  • DLNA / Wi-Fi Compatible
  • 29.8mm Wide Angle and Intelligent 25x Zoom
  • 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. + and Level Shot Function
TBC
HC-V720
  • New High Sensitivity Sensor and Crystal Engine Pro
  • 1080 TV Lines Horizontal Resolution
  • 20.4-megapixel Still Picture Recording
  • 28mm Wide Angle and Intelligent 50x Zoom
  • Real Time Broadcasting with Full-HD Recording
  • NFC (Near Field Communication) and Remote Shooting with Smartphone
  • Home Monitoring and Remote Video Recording
  • DLNA / Wi-Fi Compatible
  • 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. + and Level Shot Function
TBC
HC-V520
  • Intelligent 80x Zoom / Optical 50x Zoom
  • 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. + and Level Shot Function
  • Real Time Broadcasting
  • NFC (Near Field Communication) and Remote Shooting with Smartphone
  • Home Monitoring and Remote Video Recording
  • DLNA / Wi-Fi Compatible
  • 2.25-Megapixel BSI Sensor with 10-Megapixel Still Images
 TBC
HC-V210
  • Intelligent 72x Zoom with POWER O.I.S.
  • 135 Minutes Long-Time Recording
  • Full-HD 1920 x 1080/50p Recording and 10-Megapixel Still Pictures with 2.20-Megapixel BSI Sensor
 TBC
HC-V110
  • Intelligent 72x Zoom
  • Full-HD Recording and 8.9-Megapixel Still Pictures with 2.07-Megapixel BSI Sensor
 TBC
HX-WA30
  • Quad Proof Tough Design for Reliable Shooting in Harsh Conditions(10m Waterproof, 1.5m Shockproof, -10 degrees Celsius Freeze-proof, Dustproof)
  • Versatile Creative Shooting for Videos and Still Pictures
  • Easy Live View Control and Sharing with Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Full-HD Video Shooting and 16-Megapixel Still Picture Recording with the BSI MOS Sensor
  • 28mm-Wide Angle
  • Intelligent 18x Zoom with New Active Image Stabilizer
  • New Wind Noise Cut
  • Eye-fi Compatible
 TBC
HX-DC3
  • Full-HD Video Shooting and 16-Megapixel Still Picture Recording with 11.90-Megapixel MOS Sensor
  • Creative Control for Versatile Expression
  • Intelligent 15x Zoom with Active Image Stabilizer
 TBC

All camcorders are expected to arrive in stores starting early April.

Source: Panasonic Singapore.

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