Panasonic HC-WXF1 vs. HC-VX981/991 HEAD TO HEAD!

[@DavidKnight1962]

I have the VX1F1 I’m very happy with it.

[@techmundane3890]

Probably going to get the vx 1 after watching this. As long as DSLRs are limited on record time and are so complicated to use quickly, there will be a market for camcorders.

[@BassVideoAcademyDE]

What a great comparison, thank you! I've been using three VX1's (for multi angle shoots that may last several hours) for almost three years now and I'm very happy with the results.

[@techtoremember8096]

Great to hear and thank you !

[@Jake_Frac]

You mixed great tests with some comedy and didnt ramble on. Sometimes you don't know what you're going to get quality wise with smaller channels, but you did a great job!

[@techtoremember8096]

Much appreciated!

[@theinfinate]

The fx-1 Vx-1 is such a great tool! Thanks for giving these cameras some love!

[@I_like_science]

Camcorders are going to die out because they are TOO GOOD for their price. Why sell you a camcorder with a 25X lens when they can sell you a camera body, and a handful of lenses for THOUSANDS of dollars.

[@billr6983]

Nailed it. And that's also why we will never see a Sony RX10v

[@danbilotto7785]

Exactly that! same as bridge superzoom cameras like Canon sx70, Lumix FZ300, FZ82, Nikon B700 etc.. i really doubt there will ever be their successors. expensive full frames, mirrorless with ultra expensive lenses are waaay more profitable for that companies...

[@Dr23rippa]

People aren't buying them so naturally if something isn't selling you discontinue the product. I also feel Camcorders have not been innovative either. The issue around sensor size is debatable but a camcorder should not have anything less/smaller than 1/2 they should have interesting sensor tech like mobile phones.... People are vlogging more and even now in 2024 there in built microphones are always poor. How hard is it to put in a wind muffler as a sliding mechanism or microphones that actually record high quality audio. The screens need to flip also and should be high res high nit brightness and bigger than 3.5 inch

[@michaelbell75]

Well it's a tiny little sensor with a decent quality lens. Put a quality zoom lens on a mirrorless camera body with a larger sensor (even a M43 sensor) and you are going to get MUCH better video quality. Go up to APS-C or FF and it's not even close. So you are sacrificing video quality for convenience and thats why they dont sell. Most people with rather have superior video quality. By the way, you can get a M43 body and lens for less than one of these camcorders. You can even get an APS-C setup like an a6300 and a lens for around the same price or a used FF body. Camcorders would sell better around $500. Very few are paying $1k for one when mirrorless cameras can be had cheap these days.

[@I_like_science]

@ I invite you to check out videos of the already old Panasonic hc-x1500. The quality of the lens on that camera plus the sensor make it a superb choice without sacrificing much …if there is light around. My point was that for most beginners, a camcorder may could be the perfect entry point to videography.

[@Dr23rippa]

Wow only 6 mins in but this is a proper review very good tests and no nonsense! Keep this level of reviews up.

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you !!

[@cityproofdad]

The white box over face means it found her but only when it turns yelow it will be in focus

[@GK.Zhukov]

Thanks 4 the video explaination sir, the colour of wxf1 are more contrast and sterdy.

[@allenmovies]

Really been looking for a comparison like this of these two! Thank you!!!

[@techtoremember8096]

No problem! Thanks for the comment!

[@blackersports]

Please make a comparison video between Sony FDR AX53 vs Panasonic HCVWXF1 Uncle, I'm wondering which one to buy for shooting night videos and during the day shooting soccer, thank you in advance and I hope you make the video, greetings from Indonesia

[@krystianbv87]

.

[@BryanMiraflor]

Interested to see a review on their new camcorders: panasonic 4K camcorder HC-VX3 and panasonic Full-HD 2K camcorder HC-V900

[@AllMy78s]

I have just ordered the VXF1 which is the same as the WXF1 apart from the reverse camera I believe, looking forward to doing my own tests but I am quietly confident it will perform as I have so far seen... I'm in the Uk and have had to get a company here to import direct from Japan...

[@techtoremember8096]

Ok! Best of luck. Hope it works out

[@AllMy78s]

@@techtoremember8096 Thank you, I have now and it's bloody awesome...

[@DavidLyon]

The HC-VX1 has been replaced by the HC-VX2, which is one the shelves in Japan. These camcorders are definitely under-rated. The picture quality as you show is superb. They really only need a talking head mode, the faces show a bit flat compared to DSLRs, that's their only issue.

[@fikifette115]

Thank you for your great review. I bought the VX1 about 2 weeks ago. And i want to share my experience. Overall, great stability, but compared to the AX43, i think the VX1 has a shorter dynamic range. The highlight gets blown easily. For the camera's practicality, it's acceptable. But for modern standards, we could use a bit more DR. In the other hand, the HDR mode is quite helpful to achieve great shot. But the downside is; HDR only available in non 4k mode. And another thing is bothering me, when the camera wakes up (not total power off), it automatically returns to iA mode, not the last used mode (HDR). So i need to return it to HDR mode, every time. Panasonic could easily fix this with an update. But i don't think they will.

[@techtoremember8096]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, both cameras has very small sensors so DR is always an issue in these cases.

[@productreviewstv812]

Nice Comparison. Really enjoyed it!

[@techtoremember8096]

Thanks so much. Much appreciated!

[@thatsentertainment5602]

Was the video test footage from the HC-WXF1 shot in 4K or 1080p?

[@techtoremember8096]

Shot in 4k/30

[@thatsentertainment5602]

@techtoremember8096 Thank You

[@VVV888]

Спасибо за очень ёмкий обзор, это самое лучшее, что я видел в сравнении между серией VX980/990 vs. WXF1.

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you very much!

[@noellucas60]

Very interesting! Which battery more bigger can use and how long we can use the camera. Thank you..

[@techtoremember8096]

you can get different size batteries (both cameras use the same battery) and with a larger battery you can shoot for hours!

[@gazgazgaz1981]

Good review very helpful, these camcorders are so easy to use way more compact for travel than the Panasonic bridge cameras available like fz2000. Looking forward to your next video review 👍

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you !

[@lancetaylor6324]

Great review mate, Excellent

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you Sir!

[@christobalhalvah5709]

Really good and helpful video! I'm looking for a camcorder with a nice wide angle lens and night vision (infrared) for investigative work. Considering the Panasonic WXF1 vs. Sony AX53. I like the Nightshot switch on the Sony's rather than digging into menus on the Panny. Wondering if anyone can give me a good comparison of these two regarding stabilization (hand-held most of the time), sharpness and quality of video, and infrared video performance. Thanks!!!

[@mitchelljermaine]

I have both. Nothing and I mean nothing will beat the Sony AX53's stabilization. At lower zoom ranges, they're equal, but once you start climbing up there to the 20, 40, 100x ranges, only the Sony can keep up. The Panasonic's zoom will start to bounce if you move even a little bit so you have to use a tripod or keep 100% still. Now, with the Sony; the stabilization only works if you have the camera hand held, if you use a tripod or rest the camera on something, the best-in-class stabilization for some reason will automatically disable since it has no gyro data to base it's position on, this is a known design flaw. Regarding the sharpness, the Sony takes it again. I don't know if it's just my WXF1, I doubt it since it's new, but reading some reviews online, others noticed the same problem, the amount of grain in the 4k footage makes it almost completely unusable, especially when compared to the Sony which has near cinema quality 4k when you factor in the dynamic range. The Panasonic's dynamic range is pretty pathetic, saturated colors, blown whites and crushed blacks, classic. I did a direct sun light test that the Panasonic failed before the sunlight even hit the lens, it could not adapt. Infrared is perfect on both. Better on the Sony because of the sharper image, but only on the WXF1 can you switch the IR mode on and off while in Wi-Fi mode, you can't do that on the AX53... in fact, you can't control much of anything via wifi on the AX53. On the panasonic, I can switch to 1080p IR or normal and 4k IR or normal all from Wi-Fi much faster than if I touched the camera. The amount of Wifi options on the WXF1 is pretty amazing compared to the two options of live view and zoom on the AX53. On the AX53, the zoom over Wifi is as slow as Sony could make it. The Wifi on the WXF1 is more reliable than the sony, but not as stable, what that means is that you won't disconnect until you run out of battery from the Panasonic, but the connection itself (depending on where you are) will be very sticky, freezing in and out, the opposite is true for the sony, you might disconnect randomly and have to reconnect, but once you're connected, you won't have any glitching or freezing no matter where you are. The 1080p 60p with HDR is a major redeeming feature of the WXF1. It's actually really impressive 1080p that competes with the AX53 in 4k. I don't use it because panasonic disabled HDR options if Wifi mode is used, and I control everything over wifi because the touch screen is awful. The touch screen is better on the AX53 than the WXF1.

[@josegomezbighands]

Big difference in the quality awesome work

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you !

[@I_like_science]

Mind explaining this further ? Which one did you like more ?

[@techtoremember8096]

I like xf1 more Clearly better picture

[@NetvoTV]

WFX1 has 25mm wider starting focal length and better stabilisation, I do like to have LED but MarkusPix say 981 color is better but your 991 is less sharp but other channel of 991/981 are sharp, which one to trust, more sample data show it is sharp tho? I not sure which to get, any thought?

[@techtoremember8096]

Hi there, not sure what sample data you are showing, but did those other channels do as in depth a comparison as you saw here comparing them both ? The video had many samples so you have to trust your eyes. More than the sharpness, I just found the WXF! to have a cleaner image, looks like an improved lens or optics to me. I would personally get the newer model (XF1) as I do believe its the clear winner in my testing. I cannot speak for other people's results as I did not supervise their testing.

[@NetvoTV]

@techtoremember8096 I see, that's what I planned but seeing more 981 footage make me thought maybe that one is ok too since it got build in LED light but it is not 25mm and VX1 has better stabilisation which should translate to WXF1 too plus I only found one seller selling 991 and many selling WXF1 at cheaper price too, not sure why, also VX3 and V900 are shame that they don't do at least night vision and will be nice to come with LED light too or else I will get one of them since they are USB C now, maybe I would just get a USB C to micro USB adaptor By the way, one important test I think you should do is, I check these camcorder specs sheet and the megapixels and actual sensor area used are confusing, since VX1 and X1500 use the same sensor and effective used megapixel is 8mp but then in photo mode it can take like 20 something mp, and then in different mode like 4k and FULL HD, the starting focal length also different, why and how, is that mean even tho it say it's 1/2.5 sensor, it might not use the full sensor read out and hence depend on mode, one camcorder might not better than other in low light depend on mode which affect the sensor area and megapixel used?

[@allenmovies]

How do you think the quality of the WXF1 is compared to the Sony AX53 (and its sibling the AX43)?

[@techtoremember8096]

I was going to do a review of these 2 if there is enough interest generated in this camera. However being very familiar with both, I think the WXF1 would compete very very well with the AX53/43 honestly. Bright light, low light stabilization, I think I might actually prefer the Panasonic. And there are more features as well with the WXF1.

[@allenmovies]

@techtoremember8096 thank you! I have the AX53 & used to have the AX100, which I sold. I just purchased the AX700 but unfortunately, even though it has great quality, thr AX700 has a weird new "600 clip limit" when you film in XAVC-S. So it can't even fill the card. Something the previous older models didn't have. So I wanna give Panasonic a chance, since I'd like something that has slightly better quality than the AX53 if possible! Would love to see a comparison video from you very much!

[@gabrielvoc]

@@allenmovies I'm undecided between the VX981 and the AX700. Is there anything else you can share with me regarding the AX700 that if you knew you would think twice before buying?

[@allenmovies]

@gabrielvoc The AX700 has stunning video quality in low light and bright light, very sharp lens, but is quite heavy, the stabilization isn't that good, it has weird limits that previous versions didn't have (can't take photos while doing video), and for my every day needs, is a bit complex.

[@paunavarrolara5250]

@@allenmoviesdo you think panasonic vx1 is better than Sony ax53? In Spain the prices are: vx1=680€, ax53=950€ and ax43=740€.

[@ws2603-o8z]

Hi i have a vx1 can you put him on a gimbal??? which is the best when you can do

[@techtoremember8096]

Yes you can use a gimbal

[@ws2603-o8z]

​@@techtoremember8096 thank you

[@1StepTooFar]

How often would someone need to use the viewfinder for family travel and sports? Was the LCD screen enough to get the job done or does it wash out too quickly in the sun?

[@techtoremember8096]

if its very bright out, yes its an issue in the sun. If you are using the zoom at high magnification the viewfinder gives you more stability. Personally I prefer to use the VF 90% of the time, unless I want a certain angle then the screen comes in handy.

[@1StepTooFar]

@@techtoremember8096much obliged

[@pappgyula2541]

Thank you very much! Thorough and objective presentation as always! I watched it with interest! In answer to the question. Yes! In my opinion, handheld video cameras will soon become extinct. The majority of people are undemanding so they are fine with distorted and low quality footage on their phones. Not to mention that they are aware of the weaknesses of the cameras built into the phone and will only shoot video in situations where the camera allows it.

[@techtoremember8096]

Good points you make!

[@JohnonaBike]

Hello - I just thought I would update you as I got the Panasonic 991 and its great but I cannot help think the VX1 might be better in low light as your sample footage looks brighter. I can return the 991 for the VX1 so before I do that can I ask you - I know these both have grain in low light but which has less grain.... which looks cleaner to you ?

[@techtoremember8096]

Hi there If you go to about 8 minutes into the video I do a low light test in my studio. They are fairly close. I think the XF1 was very slightly brighter in the low lit room. When I turned the lights ALL the way down to extreme low light, it flipped around where the 991 was a bit brighter but had more grain. I think the 991 was just automatically cranking the grain to make it brighter. I think the XF1 has a slight edge in low light but maybe 10-15% and thats about it. If you are happy with the 991, I don't think you need to return it for the XF1 is the bottom line. You won't see much of a difference but feel free to watch the video again and judge for yourself.

[@JohnonaBike]

@@techtoremember8096 Thank you for the reply its much appreciated. To be honest its not just the low light advantage but also the XX1 does look a little sharper and I see in another review it has func buttons you can program to do what you want which is a brilliant idea and would make accessing some hidden parts of the menus much easier. I have checked the 991 and I cannot see the option in the menus for any func buttons to that must be new for the VX1

[@JohnonaBike]

Hello again I got the VX1 and its excellent - I do think there is a noticeable difference in low light and the footage is sharp and clear. I did fine out something online that may interest you. Its a way to access the hidden service menu in the camera and change from PAL to NTSC so giving you 30 fps in 4K and 60 in HD kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJOklWd8lNaspck

[@ciudadanomex4526]

It is true that HDMI signal STOPs when you press the REC button? : (

[@techtoremember8096]

It won't output a 4k signal when recording however you should be able to output a 1080p signal- did not personally test this but that information is according to the manual.

[@ciudadanomex4526]

@@techtoremember8096 GREAT! Full HD is ENOUGH! (I got the JVC GY HM 170 since many years ago, and I'd been looking for a 2nd CAMERA with more ZOOM in order to play between WIDE and TIGH shots : )

[@GoodMemoriesToRemeber]

HC-VX1K vs HC-WXF1 which one better

[@marcthomas2153]

Can you review the Panasonic pv 52 and 64

[@MaurySmith]

Hello. Do you know if the 980 is an international version of 981? If so, Are there any differences, other than the intended market? Thank you

[@techtoremember8096]

Its a good question. I do believe that yes, the 980 is only available in certain countries, but spec wise they do appear to be essentially the same. If there are any differences they are probably extremely minor.

[@Bladez1964]

Any comparison between the XF1 and a comparable Canon?

[@shaunlucky9645]

WXF1 here, when recording video for continuous clip is there a way to pick up where you left off from a pause? Or will they always be saved as individual clips?

[@techtoremember8096]

Unfortunately not -I don’t know of any camera that can really do that -You’d have to combine your clips in editing

[@shaunlucky9645]

Ok thanks for the fast response. Literally sitting here skimming through the pdf manual lol.

[@shaunlucky9645]

What editing program do you recommend? I'm pretty new and sent back a Lumix SIIx because it was a bit more complicated to learn at my experience level. Got this instead for ease of use for now when recording video.

[@techtoremember8096]

If you have a Mac, you can always go with Imovie. Final Cut Pro is a little more involved. Many people are using a program called Filmora which is a basic easy to learn program as well for Windows.

[@martinhommel9967]

Great comparison. Thank you

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you!

[@TomRGadget]

Consumer camcorders will persist, but with a smaller selection of products than before. One bright spot is an apparent recent "renaissance" of camcorders among young vloggers who are discovering their advantages for video over phones, compact & mirrorless cameras. Hopefully that trend will continue and encourage manufacturers to update their most popular camcorder models.

[@g-dd-were5763]

Thanks for your interesting review!

[@techtoremember8096]

My pleasure!

[@kellmarktv]

Good comparison but I'm now curious to see the comparison with the Grandfather AX53 📹

[@techtoremember8096]

Ah yes, I have gotten some requests on that so very possibly. Thank you

[@1StepTooFar]

@@techtoremember8096please do so!

[@nowenbeadle7643]

Really great and detailed comparison video of both camcorders! Panasonic definitely improved on the stabilization, colour contrast and auto-focus with the HC-WXF1. Can you choose between 4K 30p or 1080p 60p output over HDMI on the HC-WXF1 though?

[@techtoremember8096]

Hi there, yes the camera can output 4k or 1080p over HDMI. Thanks for your comment!

[@JohnonaBike]

As you know from your other video I was looking at the VX991 but seeing this video has me thinking now about the Panasonic HC-VX1 BUT I have read some reviews on amazon where people said if it very poor in low light. I know the VX1 has a smaller sensor but its a few years newer technology.... Your video in low light did not look to bad for either camera can you give me your thoughts on this please

[@techtoremember8096]

Well I think its based on what your expectations are. While I do not think either is bad in low light, in other words, the image they can produce will be acceptable for most non-professional applications, if you compare them to today's' modern mirrorless cameras with fast lenses costing 5x as much, then no they are not good in low light compared to them and I think that is what you are reading, that compared to more expensive modern cameras they look worse. I hope this tries to address your question!! In other words, what's good in low light to someone, may not be to someone else. I did show examples in the video so you can try and gauge if its acceptable to you. Thank you

[@JohnonaBike]

@@techtoremember8096 Thank you for the reply 🙂 That does make sense and exactly what my wife said to me. I have seen many other reviews like yours and no-one has said anything about the camera being bad in low light and your shots in low light actually looked good. Also on the amazon reviews someone even said the stabilisation was poor but again on your review and others it looks excellent

[@MaurySmith]

Thank you.

[@allenmovies]

I'm still SO upset that we likely will never get a compact 4K 60p consumer camcorders from Sony or Panasonic. Wild that something as tiny as the DJI Pocket 3 can record in 4k 60p but these cant.

[@techtoremember8096]

How true!

[@Phanithc192]

This camera design for live streaming 24/7 , action camera over heat 30min

[@Phanithc192]

Not to mention about zooming range 😅

[@Mika_jord]

I'm lost in choosing a camcorder, for you for a maximum budget of $700 what is the best 4K camcorder with minimum x32 zoom, for traveling, vlogging...? THANKS !

[@techtoremember8096]

If you want a camcorder design then I think the WXF1 is a great choice. If you don't mind more of a traditonal camera design then the FZ300 is a great option and its reviewed on my channel,

[@babymixswing2269]

Are vx1 and xf1 the same? Also, how about their slow motion? When I watch 4K, it's only 30 frames? I don't like using 1080 because 1080 will make the wide angle narrow again, right? Is that right?

[@techtoremember8096]

The VX1 and FX1 have the same insides yes, just a few changes like no second camera and no viewfinder on the cheaper model. Slow motion is very good ..1080p only. and yes 4k is limited to 30fps. There is no additional crop in 1080p.

[@babymixswing2269]

@@techtoremember8096 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5zHhKt9lpJmgcUsi=1OOopa1hzZm1uCyW&t=78 At 1:18 in this video, it says that the wide angle of the VX1 camera in 4K mode is 25mm, and in HD mode it is 28.9mm, so there is a crop. I don't know if what I said is correct, because I don't have the camera. Can you help me check it? Thank you

[@rpmcitycruiser]

@@babymixswing2269 The way I understand the manual is that the 4K/30p, 4K24p,and 1080/24p modes are at the 25mm FF equivalent wide and all the other 1080 modes have the slight crop.

[@paunavarrolara5250]

Panasonic VX1 or Sony AX43? In Spain vx1=640€ and ax43=740€. Please, I need your help! I love your videos!

[@willdatsun]

what an excellent video

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you !

Great review

[@techtoremember8096]

Thank you!

[@yurif74]

I have a vx980, i do not know the difference with a 981 but, next camera i will take in account will be one capable of doing 4k at 60fps, nothing less

[@techtoremember8096]

981 only does 4k30 too

[@davefink2326]

Camcorders will persist only for that small sliver of enthusiasts like you and me, everyone else will use their smart phone to take selfie movies, and occasional crappy zoom shots of the kids playing on swingset. It would be nice to see some action camera tech migrate its way into a new round of optical zoom traditional camcorders like this. Think: horizon leveling, shot reframing, smartphone Wi-Fi control, monitoring and file download. Unfortunately, camcorders have nowhere near the huge unit sales necessary to justify this tech investment.

[@bazza1041]

I had to get rid of the HC-WXF1 camcorder. as It only works in 25/30fps, If like me one has a 4K monitor that is (60Hz), " panning", well forget it. The stuttering is absolutely terrible and no matter what setting it doesn't improve. All or most videos are "zoom" ones for this very reason. So went back to the HC-X1500 that can be set to 59.94 Hz which is close enogh to match the 4K monitor. I am a little surprised this isn't mentioned in your video

[@techtoremember8096]

Hey there. Unfortunately most consumer camcorders today, since they haven't been updated in many years, are 4k/30 max. That will produce a stuttery image on a monitor especially if you pan. The WXF1 doesn't produce any more stutter than any other 30fps camcorder so not sure why you are calling it "absolutely terrible" unless you are doing a lot of fast movement and panning or you just were used to using 4k60 or 1080p 60 in the past. By the way, it was mentioned in the video that the video is 30fps. The X1500 is 60fps and will definitely produce smoother motion for fast action but that is a bigger, heavier and significantly more expensive prosumer camcorder that really doesn't directly compete with the XF1. Thanks for the comment.

[@GoodMemoriesToRemeber]

any one know link to camcorder comparation

[@techtoremember8096]

These are the same cameras: only difference is the WXF1 has a viewfinder and small second camera on the screen. The VX1 does not have second camera and does not have viewfinder but the rest is the same. Picture quality the same.

[@TomRGadget]

An important date coming up: December 28 2024 is the deadline by the European union that devices including cameras with USB charging must have USB type C connectors to continue selling. This could force manufacturers to either update their models or discontinue them (or just quit selling in Europe). Will we see updated camcorders to meet the new requirements? We don''t have too long to wait to find out.

[@techtoremember8096]

That's very interesting and I did not know that. Thank you for that information. The newly released FZ80D (82D in Europe) did add USB-C which may explain why Panasonic did release it. There were hardly any other changes to that camera, only very minor ones so that information may shed some light on it. I guess now its "put up or shut up time" as that date is fast approaching!

[@TomRGadget]

@@techtoremember8096 Yes that's exactly why I think Panasonic updated the FZ80D. The regulation is subject to some interpretation and there is some grandfathering of products put into the market before the transition period, but the way it's worded it appears to be "inventory" put into the market, not a product model that can continue to be sold after the deadline. That also appears to be how photography journalists are interpreting it. One solution for manufacturers is to simply include a battery with a built in USB-C port for charging, which would work well with camcorders that have external batteries. That should get around the law, and no other changes would be needed on the camera itself. I would like to hear from a European distributor for their interpretation of the regulation.

[@Doomreb]

love the chris farley pic, perfect lol

[@techtoremember8096]

Haha where did you see a chris Farley picture ?

[@Doomreb]

@@techtoremember8096 0:08

[@techtoremember8096]

Oh ! I forgot about that ! Good catch thanks !

[@jettschenker]

Sony NX VG30