Camcorder Overview (All Brands) & Menu Dive- Bonus: My Run and Gun Scene Settings with Explanations!

[@jorgem50]

I started using camcorders back in 2005 as a hobby filming family events. 6 years later I started in the wedding videography industry using DSLR and never looked back at camcorders. I do however miss the ease of use that a camcorder offers. Much more work using dslr/mirrorless.

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Thank you Robert for making these indepth videos covering camcorders, for those of us who still use them. The industry has all but abandoned the camcorder in favor of sdlr/mirrorless type cameras with interchangeable lenses. The last camcorder made was the Canon xf605 three years ago. It seems content creators are obsessed with bokeh above all else, and manufacturers are catering to them, rather than documentarians like me. I film trains and railroading where large objects are moving at high speed. Must have great focus and above all - crisp imagery. Any camera suggestions for my mission specific needs? Thank you.

[@RobertHamm]

Yeah, camcorders definitely haven't advanced as quickly as mirrorless cameras. But Canon did announce 4 new camcorders 6 months ago. That's the new 60/65/70/75 models. Same with Panasonic with the HCX2 and HCX20. So camcorders aren't dead!

[@ungavaproductions]

Thank you so much Robert. You do a very good job. I bought my HC-X1500 about a year ago based on your comments on youtube and you know what.......? I AM VERY HAPPY with my purchase. Thanks forcall these details, explanations and your generousity . I am folloing you

[@RobertHamm]

Thanks for taking the time to check back in with your thoughts. I appreciate it. Im glad the camera is working out for you. I love mine. Ive been using it to shoot a web series @adcenturecharmed check it out to see all of what it's capable of. Cheers.

[@BobSouthDakota]

VERY helpful setting my new HC-X1500...BTW, I checked the Panasonic site buy couldn't find where to get more scene choices.. thank you Robert!

[@RobertHamm]

You're very welcome. Cheers.

[@paulmatulavich7321]

I love how you used the 2nd xlr port as your lavalier mic input. Never seen that before. Would like to see a brief video on how you set that up and what is needed. Thank you very much Robert !

[@RobertHamm]

Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Please subscribe.

[@OldSchoolNI]

Really daft question perhaps, but am I right in assuming when using multiple inputs, if one of the tracks is messed up due to a misconfig, that the channels from the input can just be dropped off the timeline/discarded at edit time? (assuming the other input wasn't captured by other backup means etc)

[@outdoorztime2923]

Just found your channel, Robert. I have the Panasonic HC-X1500. It's been a nice camera so far, and I've shot and loaded a few videos on KZbin. I have not played with the manual settings too much. I have a question (if I can catch you in time). Do you have setting suggestions to start off with for filming the April 8, 2024 Great American Eclipse? LIKED & SUBSCRIBED

[@AnuraJayawardane]

Very helpful 💛. Sir, would you please do an explanation on scene files of Panasonic AG-X2 . Struggling with video noise control. (Mainly use for the Green screen shooting . Previously done with Panasonic ag 160 with okay)

[@ungavaproductions]

Robert, you dova realy good job ! Thanks again

[@RobertHamm]

Thanks!

[@WaybackRewind]

Thank you for convincing me this camera is way too advanced for me.

[@danjacobson9881]

Very helpful Robert.

[@RobertHamm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iamagadanga]

Great job Robert. Can HC-X1500 record in HDR?

[@RobertHamm]

Hello. No, it does not have HDR or Log, however, or does have CineD color profile and a lot of adjustments to the image (knee, camma, curves, phase.. and more). This means the image can get pretty flat for post production if needed. The files perform well for grading and tou can get a really nice look straight out of the camera, too.

[@movieA71]

Спасибо Вам большое! Очень полезное видео. Я два дня назад купил и мне ещё очень сложно разобраться в меню. Тем более шрифт на экране очень мелкий. Я думаю на автомате камера довольно хорошо снимает. Пока попробую так.

[@angeloplayforone]

Robert, The use of camcaorders is decreasing rapidly. You didn't adress this and explain the difference between camcorders and mirrorless. In which use cases camcorders are used? Seem that their use is decreasing. Anyway great tuturial video about this camera.

[@BlackwoodHinterlandVibes360]

17:10 Why did you skip GAMMA MODE SEL? Is Cinelike-D the flatest picture/color profile when filming in 4:2:2 10-bit? I think you mentioned it at some point in this video.

[@RobertHamm]

Most of the time, you should stick with the gamma mode that is automatically chosen by the color matrix. Cine-d like color is made to work best with Cinema gamma. That's where you will get the widest dynamic range. You can change it, but I usually don't. I have a hard time thinking of a reason to change it. If you know of one, leave that comment below, please. Cheers.

[@BlackwoodHinterlandVibes360]

@@RobertHamm From the DJI Mavic 2 Pro I know you can choose between D-log M or HLG 10 (HDR). When I do color correction in Vegas Pro I always use an input LUT (D-log M to rec.709) first, and after that I do the grading. I also have an input LUT for my gopro when filming in Protune RAW. So I think Cinelike-D is the 10-bit RAW color profile with the most color gradations in 10-bit 4:2:2, right? Do you know if there is a camera input lut (to use in the editing software) available for Cinelike-D to rec.709? It would make it easier to match the colors between all cameras I use. Thank you very much, dear Robert. I´ve learnt a lot from your videos.

[@RobertHamm]

Yeah, that makes sense for the DJI cameras and other brands. Broadcast and ENG cameras from the "2016 gwneration" and earlier are made with more of a shoot and deliver mindset. The codecs are very lightweight and don't usually hold up well to color grading. This is especially true with consumer grade offerings. Professional cameras from that generation have many more codec offerings, but they are still lightweight compared to what we expect to get today. The workflow was to get it right in camera and do a little post if needed. To accomplish this many of these kinds of cameras have a big suite of adjustments that you can make in camera. That's why it's best to stick with the gamma and color matrix of these generation of camcorders. However, newer camcorders have become more like AIO systems. You have many more choices that support editing preferences and can target specific viewing devices. So, what you do with your DJI isn't the same as what you would want to do with the HCX1. I would, and do, approach matching those images differently. As far as a LUT, no. Not really. This is because the HCX1 does not support Log footage. Another reason to choose the color/gamma matching pair. You can download additional scene files which Panasonic made for the camcorder. I believe there are 12 additional looks. The problem for me is why.. why would I do it? I wouldn't I would match my footage from camera to camera and in different scenes/lighting so that I could use my tools in any order I wanted. I don't mess around with LUTs. I make my LUTs for my cameras and use them. But my LUTs correct to a flat profile where I then color grade and adjust the footage. Cheers.

[@dogbarbill]

8:26 Question: You mentioned "phantom power"......what is that? What does that mean? Explain, please. This is all new to me, and even though I've been shooting DSLR for about 17 years, and film SLR going back to 1978 , I need to learn the jargon world of camcorders. Thanks.

[@RobertHamm]

Power for a condenser microphone provided by the camera/camcorder to the mic. It's usually 48 volts but sometimes 24.

[@dogbarbill]

@@RobertHammOkay, thanks.

[@RobertHamm]

Hey, don't forget to subscribe! My video helped you and I answered your question. It seems like you would want to help me in return, so hit the sub button!

[@dogbarbill]

@@RobertHammI did.

[@RobertHamm]

Thank you so much!

[@KommerSchenkel]

Which microphone have you on this Panasonic device. Is this microphone also good for wildlife filming?

[@RobertHamm]

I was using the Saramonic NV5Rx. Good for wildlife? I don't know what you mean. Is it good for ambient recordings, yes. The noise floor is a bit high, so set your gain accordingly. Otherwise, it works well for my applications.

[@NetvoTV]

Since canon announce new camcorder last year and the predesessor was released on 2019, Panasonic release X1500 on 2020, could they release new model this year or next year? Or better buy the X1500 now? I think it's perfect but wish it has a build in LED light so I can have some of the low light in dark video in addition to the IR Night Vision video it can do and also it will be nice to have the lens start from FF eq 20mm! Back then I really interested and wanted to get camcorder because I love to go everywhere and record places, I was decided the Panasonic 3mos 920 is good for me, but didn't have the money and then these RX10 and RX100 series seem good too to take photo too, then camera company move to more camera focused, the A7RV is nice for photo, but now I found videos about camcorder again from the channel with a blonde hair couple, I think you know who are them got me interested in them again and search a bit and I think Panasonic X1500 is good for me, I found IR night vision on Sony first, I interested to get Sony but I think still Panasonic in camcorder is better, their color science is closer to natural too but it's like they have an electronic Gray real life look and Sony has a cooler tone real life look, Hasselblad is what I like, they are real life but has a Scandinavian haze look, Olympus seem overall balanced, I hope to get money to get the Panasonic X1500 for video and Sony A7RV for photo! Maybe one day Hasselblad X3D too! 📹📷

[@RobertHamm]

You have a lot of competing ideas and interests going on here. I hope you get what you want that will help you in the end. I think your main question is "should I get the Panasonic X1500 now, or wait until they announce a new one?" Well, I believe they will announce a new one within the next year. Their camcorders seem to have a 4-5 year life cycles with a new camcorder being announced about 4 years into the life cycle and ready for purchase in the fifth year of a product. This is my observation, and it seems to be changing. I did a video about that in the past when the x2 and X20 were released. All in all, you can get an x1500 and buy Panasonics top handle, which comes with a lightz for less than buying the x2000. So, that could be a good option. If you need a camcorder now, then get It. If you can wait, then wait, but you're probably 1 year off before being able to actually buy whatever Panasonic comes out with. Cheers.

[@movieA71]

В принципе я знаю какие параметры нужны мне в ручном режиме, а где их установить и как сазранить для быстрого доступа, пока я не понимаю.

[@stevejackson6336]

Hey Robert, I am a new subscriber looking for info on camcorders. I have been using a HMC-150 for years and I need an upgrade. I've got my eyes on the Canon xf 605 or the Sony pxw z190, what's your view of these two camcorders? Does Panasonic have a camera that can compare? Thank you

[@RobertHamm]

Thanks for subscribing! That helps me a lot. I have been in your exact position, and when everything was considered, I chose the Panasonic AG CX 350. Another strong contender is the JVC GY500 series. With the JVC, you can get Apple ProRes raw recordings internal. You simply need a specific JVC m.2 SSD caddy. They're readily available, and depending on the configuration, you can either get it up front in a package, or if you never plan on using Apple Pro Resl built in, you don't even have to buy one. So you can upgrade whatever you want. Between the two cameras, Sony PZ190 and Canon XF605, I'd choose the Canon. I think the 1 in sensor in the Canon is better than three 1/2-in sensors on the Sony. However, I have never used these two directly. My information and decision was based on all the available knowledge on the internet, and not with first hand experience. But if you're going to spend that money, you want to make sure you spend it the right way. So, when I was faced with this question, I decided to rent them for a month each. When I looked at that cost, I decided and I wasn't what I was going to do. I wanted my money to be spent on a piece of equipment, not testing it. When it comes to image quality, all of the cameras I have mentioned here today have excellent image quality. It's not like you would have one, and say you like the other better. These are all excellent. Each of the cameras mentioned have some form of high dynamic range mode. In the case of the Panasonic, it's got 13 and 1/2 stops! Each of these cameras have additional features I have not mentioned. So if the camera's all produce a great image, what are some considerations that would separate one from the other? For me that was size, weight, portability, zoom, and low light capabilities. Low light capabilities knock the Sony off the list for me, size and weight knock the JVC off the list, so it came down to Canon between Panasonic. I did a whole video about Canon in panasonics camcorder strategy. That might be helpful to know more, but in the end, I believe Panasonic gives its customers better value for money and more features. So that's what I went with. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.

[@stevejackson6336]

@@RobertHamm Thanks for the information Robert, seldom do I receive a response from leaving a comment. I've been in the video game since 1989 and operated a local cable channel (from my house like Wayne's World!) So I started with an RCA camcorder I bought with my Sears Card! I constantly upgraded as I could afford, and moved to the Panasonic 456 SVHS camcorder, then shot on Hi 8 for a while until the Panasonic AGEZ1 mini DV came along. Used the JVC DV500 to video local high school games and also used it as a studio camera for "Live Shows" that we produced daily. I've been out of cable TV since 2014, occasionally doing freelance with a JVC GY-HD 200u. Recently I started using a Sony FX3, but I am shooting more events such as City councils and board of education meetings and a lot of live-streaming as well. That's why I enjoyed your video on camcorders, I'm thinking about selling my FX3 and getting a camcorder. Great to talk shop, oh I was stationed at Dam Neck VA in 1985 and frequent Virgina Beach a lot!

[@RobertHamm]

Wow, I live right down the street from Damn Neck. Small world. Nice talking shop, too. I've done a lot of videos on camcorders. Check out the one inside about Canon Vs Panasonic. It was just about 6 months ago. I go into a lot of the technical stuff about capabilities. You will probably like that video a lot. Cheers.

[@stevejackson6336]

Hey Robert, I'm looking for the best HD (yes high definiton) 4:2:2 camcorder for live events. Looking at some older camcorders such as the Sony pmw 200 -300- EX series. Or any other brands that have HDMI outputs that have a robust picture. Need 2 with a budget of $1000 each. Love your channel, Thanks for any suggestions!

[@RobertHamm]

Hmm. The Sony PMW 200 is probably your best bet for the price you want to stay under if you can find it. But.. that's still 3x 1/2" sensors. The 1" sensors that replaced the 3CCD setups are much better in my opinion in almost all cases. An argument could be made for low light.. but I'd still bet on the larger sensor. That being the case.. you would consider yourself lucky to get an HCX1 or UX180 or UX90 (all are Panasonic). All of those cameras are 4k, BUT THEIR 1080 200MbpS All-I is beautiful and each cnangive you a true DCI4k image at 24fps if you want it. Each also has 4:2:2 1080 out at 8bit up to 60fps. The next consideration would be something in the JVC Early GY range. For the money, it's probably worth it to pay a little more for each camera and get the bigger sensor with the benefit of a smaller size over the Sonys. Cheers.

[@simisaqa2229]

Camera keep turning off after 10 minutes. How do I turn off the automatic shutoff ? cause it's affecting video making

[@jaydeepjaria8696]

Find economy battery in the menu. Click on it and you will find options on and off. Click on off and enter-exist

[@chrislucas2245]

how do you edit videos while shooting mov? It wont let me even play them on my pc is there something I can do?

[@RobertHamm]

If you can't edit those files, it maybe because your computer or editing device has an older processor, not enough hard disk space, or not enough RAM. It's likely the graphics card doesn't have a specification high enough to edit the files. In that case switch to software only GPU in your editing software, and do your best. If you're using Adobe products, you can always transcode from MOV to something else. All these things will take time, but you'll just have to figure it out. Good luck.