Panasonic hc-x1500 - auto focus tips

#panasonicx1500 #panasonichcx1500
While I was shooting a couple of videos with the Panasonic hc-x1500, I ran in to an issue. Once I started editing my footage, I realized that my shots were going in and out of focus. I went back and shot the footage again but picked up a couple of tips that will help you track a moving subject better with this camcorder.
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Equipment Discussed:
Panasonic HC-X1500: amzn.to/2XUYbfh
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[@boat_life]

I am using the same camcorder for almost two years to filming fast moving boats. Learned to not to use manual mode only if I really need to. Auto setting are descent, autofocus are great. I can fix the white balance and color correction if needed in post editing in no time. But if I don't have a good focus that I won't be able to fix it ever.

[@MichaelWTurner]

So you find the AF works best in Full auto mode?

[@boat_life]

@@MichaelWTurner yes, absolutely!

[@kevinmartin4787]

Thanks, just got two of these to help out on my weddings

[@Michael-jp3qe]

Thank you. Just got the X1500 and trying to get as much information as possible.

[@MichaelWTurner]

You're welcome.

[@vytekas]

Hi 1 question ..my eye finder not focusing ?! Only display are good focus … what hapens

[@Shany0079]

Nice and informative video. Thanks buddy

[@trentonharris6116]

Fantastic work and thanks 😊

[@rm-pl7gg]

Thanks for info!

[@vishnuthakor6472]

Thanks for tips sir

[@VIP_Production4K]

Thank you!

[@bitwise2832]

This was an entertaining, bug swatting, video. Tks

[@MichaelWTurner]

Happy misery entertained you 🤣. I'm kidding. Thanks for watching.

[@gimbalair]

One question is there a way to lock exposure? I see big differences between the sky when I pan? Also, I cannot find how to turn on the the length of the clip in mm:ss when recording?

[@MichaelWTurner]

Sorry, but I don't own it anymore. I don't remember

[@sadikergin5099]

Sharpen settings nasıl yapılabilir?

[@jean-gabrielclermont-tonne2475]

Super video ! Merci bien.

[@MichaelWTurner]

Thanks! You're welcome - de rien!

[@newfoundmass]

The mosquitoes here in Vermont have been brutal this year. I can't go outside without getting bit like mad!

[@FrancisKaiser73]

When did you buy this camera? Thanks for sharing this issue with us 🙏

[@MichaelWTurner]

2 months ago.

[@FrancisKaiser73]

@@MichaelWTurner congratulations!

[@skyangelthefan]

Is this Panasonic a newer version of the Panasonic Vx981? I am searching for a Panasonic camcorder that has motion stabilization, easy to use and puts out clear video. Thank You 🙏

[@MichaelWTurner]

No, this is not in that category. This is a professional camera and the vx981 is a consumer grade camera. Don't think there really is a newer version of the vx981. I have that one too. It's definitely easier to use than a x1500. The video is clear in my opinion. You don't think so?

[@bazza1041]

Great tips thank you. I do have a question you maybe able to help with please. I am looking for a wire/wireless remote control for the Panasonic HC-X1500. Just about to upgrading from a Sony FDR AX53 and for that I did find a 3rd party wireless remote. I can't seem to find one for this panasonic camcorder. Any help gratefully received. previous to the Sony I had a panasonic HC-X900m for about 10 years until it was not worth repairing. On reason for the sony upgrade is this Panny having 60fps which sony doesn't have. the sony has a problem with panning stutter videos never had that with the old panny

[@MichaelWTurner]

Sorry I don't know. There is a FB group for the panasonic x1500. You might want to ask in there

[@outdoorztime2923]

Hi, Mr. Turner. That was impressive the difference your editor made correcting the white balance from using fully auto. What editor are you using (if it's not a secrete)? Question #2: If you decided to go with another camera due to this one having a low sensor, which one would you consider? Thanks, and have a nice day!

[@MichaelWTurner]

I use Adobe premiere pro. I currently use a Sony a6400 and a6600 for weddings. That's always subject change. Before the a6600, I was using the Canon c100 Mark II which is excellent. It really depends on what the cameras are being used for

[@prayong64]

Thanks for tips. Can you confirm that with the slow motion fonction, the stabilisator not work or maybe make a video? Thank you. Need a new camera for airshow.

[@MichaelWTurner]

That's actually a good question, but unfortunately I already returned it. Sorry about that

[@prayong64]

@@MichaelWTurner ok no problem, thanks

[@Vitaliy-1991-v3x]

Выходит, что не понравился, раз вернули?)

[@gstree]

Has anyone found a quick way to switch from auto to manual and keep the settings ?

[@claudebonte9470]

Thanks for your tips the x 1500 seems to be a good camera the only problem is i can't take it off auto focus. I press the button marked FOCUS / AM /oo near the front and nothing happens. The A in the square still shows ...... Has any one else experienced this and worked out how to turn the autofocus off ?

[@MichaelWTurner]

What about the Auto Manual switch toward the back under the LCD?

[@wallbreakerx9662]

great

[@osvaldog8629]

Hello, what is best to autofocus face detect or area? Thank you.

[@MichaelWTurner]

Depends on the situation, but Face Detect is only in full auto, which isn't great for everything

[@JDModel]

Hello, may I ask which special official software can be used to import the video recorded by Panasonic HC-X1500 into the computer? Copying directly with a card reader I am afraid that the long video will be split into multiple files by 2G each.

[@MichaelWTurner]

If you have a file that is bigger than 4gb that is transferred to a drive that is formatted ntfs or exFat it should transfer without a problem. If you have a drive formatted fat32 then you cannot copy any file greater than 4gb. I don't know of any modern drive that has a 2Gb limit, but I also don't know everything. And even if there is a limit, the drive won't split a file, it will give you an error telling you that the file is too big. There's no harm in trying it

[@higgsnev]

Here's my mistake I bought one to use at my churthe podium is 40ft away with the lighting levels in my church it is a problem with focusing on the person at the front the images from my ptz are better than from this camera so I am disappointed I don't think I will buy Panasonic again. For other problems as well but I will try out your tips. By the way if you use face detection if there's a few people In front of the camera it gets a bit confused on which person to focus on and it causes some really weird results. Good video though I will try out your suggestions

[@MichaelWTurner]

I think Panasonic would've been much better off with a 1 inch sensor in this camera.

[@higgsnev]

@@MichaelWTurner I totally agree. This is a really good camera for shooting outdoors the zoom and the image stabilisation are brilliant.

[@bruce8209]

I own de canon XF100 (10 jr old) and considdre to change tom the 1500. But I think the face-focus (on more than one person!) is better in de XF100.... in this review there is always a little bit changing to be seen. I can 't believe it... Is it realy truth?

[@MichaelWTurner]

The AF on the camera was good using the settings in the video. Plus, there is a firmware update since this video that was made to improve the settings. I don't own it anymore, and I have never used an xf100, so I can't say which is better

[@bruce8209]

@@MichaelWTurner thanks for the quick and usefull respons!

[@procamara359]

Whats the difference between this camera and the Sony nx80 in terms like image quality and lowlight performance.

[@MichaelWTurner]

The image quality in good lighting is pretty much the same in my opinion. Low light performance is better on the Sony. The Sony has a bigger sensor, so you can get a little more bokeh, but not a ton more. The x1500 has 10- bit 4:2:2 codecs internally and Sony does not. The funny thing is that there are no log profiles in the x1500 as of now

[@procamara359]

@@MichaelWTurnerthanks man. Incredible that smaller sensor is better in low light. I like the exposure ring, something that is missing in nx80.

[@MichaelWTurner]

@@procamara359 Yeah the extra ring is nice to have. The smaller sensor is not better in low light though

[@miklosnemeth8566]

@@procamara359 No, the AX700/NX80 has 1 stop better noise performance in low light. 10-bit cannot help in low light.

[@procamara359]

@@miklosnemeth8566 I would like to see the specs like the Sony A6400 or Panasonic gh6 in a body like the AX700 or Panasonic XC 1500 with removable lens which is impossible.

[@frank-xp6pj]

Great camera, what computer are you using to edit ?

[@MichaelWTurner]

It's a Skytech Shiva - 2.5ghz i7 11gen/32 GB RAM/ Nvidia GeForce 3060 12gb ram/Windows 11

[@frank-xp6pj]

@@MichaelWTurner wow only 32GB of RAM for 4k@60fps videos ????

[@flightsystemsrc]

Would you recommend this camera for action video - love the idea its 4K 60FPS

[@MichaelWTurner]

The AF isn't the greatest, so it is really hard to say. I didn't get to test it all that much, but if it is well lit, and you are shooting mostly wide to medium shots, I think it would do well. I can't 100% recommend it. I'm more like 75%.

[@flightsystemsrc]

Thank you - I appreciate your feedback 😊

[@MichaelWTurner]

BTW, not sure if you saw the new comment in Boat Life in this thread, but he said the AF works really well if you shoot in Full Auto. He shoots fast moving boats with it. Just FYI

[@Worschbrot]

Hi, im a absolute Beginner. I cant find the Menu which i can add the Box to the Screen. Can you Help me?

[@Worschbrot]

I found it. 🙈😅

[@MichaelWTurner]

I was just about to ask if you were asking about the face tracking box. Glad to hear you figured it out

[@anthonypuckett6679]

Can you connect a ssd with the usb

[@MichaelWTurner]

not sure, but seriously doubt it

[@wmvideo50]

Here is a perfect example of auto focas going wrong where it changes focus from one part to another studio.kzbin.infoUI-KJ7cBjWY/edit

[@tollbar5468]

Totally baffled. Normally camcorders (should) focus on anything that's put into the center of the frame but your demonstration shows that this is not the case (quite the opposite). The square box thing is usually designed to follow focus on the subject anywhere within the frame and not just the center - most disappointing if this is the only way to auto focus.

[@MichaelWTurner]

Yeah...Panasonic dropped the ball on this one. I no longer own it, but perhaps there is a firmware update to correct these issues.

[@christoroppolo8742]

All I keep hearing is .. this sucks in low light because it has a tiny sensor ( really tiny) and that’s is a deal breaker . Why don’t they give it a standard one inch sensor ? It’s ridiculous and obviously a bad design choice . Too bad because everything else seems stellar….also auto focus on Panasonic cameras has always been horrible. 👽

[@MichaelWTurner]

I'm starting to think that camera manufacturers are purposely steering people away from them. It's probably no longer worth the manufacturing costs with the smaller number of sales

[@christoroppolo8742]

@@MichaelWTurner really foolish too! 👽

[@MsBijouu]

I've owned several camcorders over the years, some are good for low light, some are better for zooming in, this camera is made to be light, small and have an excellent zoom and stabilization, my go to camera for bird watching, put in a bigger sensor and you need a bigger lens, heavier and more expensive.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

what a terrible camera! gosh...am I glad I didn't consider buying it...I need a camcorder with a reliable autofocus for events (weddings etc)...! Same or BETTER than my old Canon XF300 (which has good autofocus most of the times!)...terrible panasonic camcorder....and it has a tiny sensor! I hope this camera didn't wreck some of your weddings! Thanks

[@csamd9049]

why is she terrible? excellent camera for everything except pronounced lowlight, autofocus is very good in it.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@csamd9049 ah...because it should automatically focus much better? Is this the reason for this video? to show that it struggles to keep the main subject-a person-in focus? did I miss something here? but maybe calling it "terrible" is a bit unfair...even my trusty old HD Canon XF300 loses focus sometimes...but rarely-a small sensor should keep focus better. I'm glad to hear the panny is working out great for you. I will wait for something better. Thanks

[@csamd9049]

@@TheFandangovideoguy This camera has better autofocus than the xf300 and in general it has one of the best autofocus, if not the best, it calmly shoots birds in flight at high focal lengths. but here in the shooting, increased focal lengths are used and you need to shoot with these focal lengths in mind and the camera coped very easily.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@csamd9049 unfortunately I don't shoot nature....I need a camcorder for live events and weddings etc so good autofocus and decent (not as good as my C100 mk2!) lowish light level is required. There is no perfect camcorder I know...but I'll keep waiting for now. Thanks

[@bitwise2832]

@@TheFandangovideoguy This camera does focus very well. The area focus was what many users may overlook. The Face Detect is also extremely precise. The white balance should have been set. The black balance also. The profile (scene file) makes a huge difference. Another huge benefit is the image stabilization, which is very impressive. This video is really oriented to new owners who may not be familiar with the advanced features and settings