Review: Panasonic AG-UX90 4K camcorder (and comparison with AG-UX180 and HC-X1)

[@real9269]

You make some of the best technical reviews out there. Thank you so much.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you

[@Mrgunsngear]

solid review

[@TubeShooterMag]

Ta

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Sorry to see this channel is no longer functioning. This was a very good review. Where did you go?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Hi. I haven't really gone anywhere but I ditched my old job four years ago, sold my house and went to live on a boat! I now vlog about that - see kzbin.info and my campervan channel kzbin.info Also, I seemed to stop being sent stuff for review and don't have the cash now to just buy it ad-hoc; and there have been very few developments in camcorders in recent years, which is where my main interest lies. I am considering buying the new Panasonic X1500 (aka CX10) though so the channel may yet revive a little!!

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

@@TubeShooterMag Thanks. I'll check out your newer stuff.

[@PHSPictures]

That's one damn fine review sir.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you very much!

[@melissaproducciones]

hola, se puede transmitir por facebook o youtube con la camara UX 90, gracias por tu respuesta.

[@ncplantdoctor]

I will confess that I am out of my element looking at cameras which do things I don't even understand, but I enjoyed the brief canal boat shots. I also get curious about pricing tricks between Countries so I compared the three cameras from one source, B&H, whom I have purchased from in the past. In USD, the HC X1 was just a bit cheaper than the 180. Perhaps you should snap up a bargain in the UK? AG UX90 = $2,095.00 and AG-UX180 = $3,495.00 and HC X1 4K = $3,199.99.

[@TubeShooterMag]

It is peculiar isn't it? Such a huge difference in pricing. The US version makes more sense in terms of the various camcorders' capabilities. It did occur to me I ought to get the X1 here quickly before they realise but I just can't justify it for the (very limited) amount of corporate work I do, especially since no client has ever asked me for 4K. They often still only want the finished product on a DVD which is standard def of course!

[@whiterock1865]

Does the X1 have the same color profile manipulation capabilities of the UX180? Thank you for the review!

[@TubeShooterMag]

As far as I am aware - but I cannot be 100% certain - they are identical in all respects except the lack of SDI/timecode on the X1.

[@softroadingthewest]

So here I am researching camcorders and I stumble upon a review with a voice that sounds verrrry familiar. Why, yes, it IS David. What's next, am I going to find you have a cooking channel too?? 😂

[@TubeShooterMag]

Hahaha hello 😀😀 ooh what camcorders are you considering?

[@softroadingthewest]

​@@TubeShooterMag I honestly do not know. For the past 6 months, I've been shooting with a Sony AX700 I picked up off eBay. It was an experiment just to see if I preferred making videos using an actual video camera instead of a photography camera. I got a good enough deal on the AX700 that I could simply resell it with little to no loss if I didn't like it, but if I did like it, my plan was to sell both the AX700 and my mirrorless I've used for a few years (Sony A6600) and pool those funds to purchase an even better camcorder. Results of the experiment: I LOVE using a camcorder. I stopped even bringing the A6600 with me, because I would just always reach for the AX700. I'm only in the preliminary stages of trying to figure out what to start hunting for on eBay. I like buying used, seems like I can step up into a higher end camera for the money that way even if it's a model that came out some years ago. My (possibly impossible) wishlist include a bigger sensor than the 1" in the AX700, a slightly larger form factor with integrated handle, and if at all possible, separate dedicated controls for iris, gain, and shutter speed. The main thing I dislike about the AX700 is trying to quickly change one of those settings on the fly. Even after 6 months of regular use, I flub this constantly, I end up missing fleeting opportunities for cool shots and I find it hugely frustrating. I don't know if this even exists in something I can find used for under $2,000. I'm just starting to look around and get a feel for what's out there. It has resulted in watching a lot of review videos that are some years old, LOL.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Hmmm yes that's tricky. I have the Sony NX80 (AX700 with a top handle / XLR) and it's great but very awkward to change settings on the fly as you say. Their NX100 or NX200 have the three lens rings but I can't offhand recall why I wouldn't necessarily have one, other than it being old tech now. The trouble with the Panasonics and Canons of the time are very poor low light ability (may not bother you); my old Canon XF200 was the most ergonomic piece of kit I ever used but only HD and a tiny sensor, very bad in anything other than full daylight. I wonder if you'd get a Sony FS5 mkII in your budget? Might do the trick?

[@softroadingthewest]

@@TubeShooterMag That's one I just started glancing at. I was hoping to stick with something that has an integrated lens, but I think I need to take a closer look at other options like that. I absolutely love the power zoom on my camcorder and I'm not clear on how that works with interchangeable lenses, but still early in the research process. Decent low light capability and face-detecting autofocus even on my current Sony camcorder are other features I wouldn't want to step back from. Fortunately the camera is working fine for me so there's no huge hurry...an upgrade is more of a desire than a full-blown *need* at the moment.😄 Hope all is well on your side of the pond!

[@ASHISH_KR_DUTTA]

Can you use the focus peaking during recording? How long can you record with a single battery charge ?

[@TubeShooterMag]

It's years since I had this camera on loan for test so unfortunately I cannot answer your query but I suspect if you google for the user manual, it will have those answers.

[@ASHISH_KR_DUTTA]

@@TubeShooterMag .. thank you

[@MichaelScrip]

Is the lens parfocal? Can you do the old trick of zoom-in/focus/zoom-out and it holds the focus?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Yes, as most (all?) camcorders of this type are. The only one I remember that people said wasn't was the Canon XF300 I think.

[@MichaelScrip]

OK thanks. I've heard that cameras like these are not "true" parfocal since they use electronic zoom and focus instead of mechanical linkages. But as long as it works... it'll be fine. Thanks again.

[@TubeShooterMag]

I confess I'm not a lens expert, so maybe worth asking around. But whilst not directly driven by the lens rings, the servos do drive the lens units physically & I believe are parfocal.

[@jeffbennett345]

Which camcorder would you recommend for shooting sports @60fps? HC-X1, UX180 or DVX200?

[@TubeShooterMag]

The X1 and UX180 are essentially identical. DVX has shallower depth of field so harder to keep focus on fast moving subjects on long zoom. So of that lot, X1 or UX180.

[@jeffbennett345]

Thanks so much. I've currently been shooting sports video on the GH4 and love the quality but wanted a dedicated camcorder with the same GH4 picture detail.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Wow, you're brave doing sports on a DSLR; shallow DoF and poor realtime ergonomics don't make for quick-action capture usually.

[@jeffbennett345]

Yeah I do everything on 60 fps and expand my f-stop as needed to capture all the footage.. Everything is done manually. The results are amazing.. vimeo.com/188321903

[@TubeShooterMag]

Very good, especially from a distance. Do you autofocus or do it manually? Surprised you're able to shut the iris down to expand the DoF as I would have though it was relatively dim (notwithstanding the floodlights)

[@yappapoppaview4123]

i like u ux90 ,thanks review

[@mathiash3573]

Are you going to do the AG-DVX200 Review? I liked the "First look" That you did. Other then that great work you are doing overall!

[@TubeShooterMag]

Oddly I never did get to borrow one after that for a full review, so probably not. It's been out a while now though, lots of other decent reviews on YT. Thanks though!

[@simianinc]

Yes, I'm a bit confused about the Panasonic line. Where does the AG-DVX200 for with the three other cameras in this review. It has an m43 sensor. Is this shared by the others?

[@TubeShooterMag]

No, these new cams have a one inch sensor so are more oriented towards ENG (news), run-and-gun shooting whereas the DVX (though capable of that) might also theoretically be used for more drama / doco type work due to a slightly shallower DoF.

[@badrmaghmoma7943]

Please answer me; I am bought one this.. But i faced problem.. When i put external mic in input 1 doesnt work.. It take inside mic atuo.. I need external mic work

[@TubeShooterMag]

I don't remember exactly the settings on this camcorder as it's years since I had it for review but I will guess that you need to switch the mic input (either manually or in the menus) to use the external mic instead of the built-in mic.

[@badrmaghmoma7943]

@@TubeShooterMag ok. Thnx🌹🌹

[@craigholliday3907]

How is the auto focus? would this be a good camcorder to record lectures, would auto focus find the speaker and stay on the speakers face?

[@TubeShooterMag]

It's a long time since I had this camera on loan for review and I didn't test that specific scenario but generally good autofocus performance requires good lighting on the subject (which is not always the case in lecture halls) and as little zoom as possible (so that the depth of field is as large as possible). That said, in a lecture room, you should just be able to set focus manually on a lecturer at the front of the room and even if they move around a little from side to side, if you zoom back enough to keep the image a bit wider, the focus should remain within the range you've set by hand. If they start moving forwards or backwards, it would need altering though as that would vary the distance from camera to lecturer.

[@craigholliday3907]

@@TubeShooterMag Thank you so much, that was very helpful!

[@joaoinaciojuniortube6529]

Sou do BRAZIL. Vídeo muito bom. Very good. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you

[@SealedBlood]

Hello, I just received my UX180, I like it but am a bit concerned that I had a lot of noise at 0db gain, f2.8, Cinelike-D, in a dim room when I was running tests. Did you encounter this?

[@TubeShooterMag]

I did not specifically try the picture profiles in dark rooms so I can't exactly say. See 3:18 on the video for my low light test. I describe the noise as "visible" and the low light capability as "moderate"

[@PHSPictures]

What resolution were you shooting in?

[@SealedBlood]

PHS Pictures I shot in both UHD 30p and FHD 30p. Like I said, it was probably a defective unit.

[@PHSPictures]

Ok. Did you get a replacement and try again? If so, what was the results?

[@SealedBlood]

PHS Pictures I just received my new unit, but so far I am seeing far less noise and grain on my HC-X1. Later I'll post some before and after shots between the two cameras.

[@waimongstudio5070]

I'm going to buy this product for filming is that good stabilization

[@TubeShooterMag]

It's not great stabilisation; like most camcorders of its type it's best to use it on a tripod if possible (especially if zoomed in) or at least while standing still/

[@waimongstudio5070]

@@TubeShooterMag thank you my friend

[@samuelserubiri9390]

What would you recommend between the HCx1 and AG UX90

[@TubeShooterMag]

It was a long time ago that I looked into these so I'm answering from memory but as I recall the HC-X1 was the better camcorder

[@XanderS92]

Hola, tengo la misma videocámara, cómo soluciono el problema E01 PC CONNECT

[@jazztv1228]

How are UX 90 UX 180 AND HC-X1 for low light concert? thank you very much

[@TubeShooterMag]

As mentioned in response to you on my other channel, it depends what you mean by "low" and what your expectations are. See the examples in this video.

[@saajanstudioganguwal9716]

in my ux 90 ios is on but there is no result of ios, cam not working smooth is any other setting is there in ux 90 for smoothing video from one place to another

[@flyingdiscproductions]

What are you asking?

[@ВладимирВеликов-т5р]

Hello! I have a question regarding the Panasonic UX90. I want to make PC reviews indoors, sometimes do a long live-stream for an activities like building PCs or similar indoors. I found a deal to get it for around 1000$ used, but the Sony HXR-NX100 being 300$ higher... splits me hard to decide. My goal is to make 1080p50 or 60fps content. I am an amature in this field and will try my best to make my videos better. Which one would help me/suit me to build my channel? One of the reasons I'm considering higher price camera is because I want to achieve something like future proofing, if I can say that, to start with something good, learn and advance in this field. Need it for videos only.

[@TubeShooterMag]

The NX100 won't do 50/60 so if that's crucial to you, it rules it out. The UX90 is not great in low light (eg indoors) so you will definitely need to budget for some proper video lighting gear too.

[@ВладимирВеликов-т5р]

@@TubeShooterMag Thank you for the fast reply! So if I get good lighting gear, then the UX90 would be the go to camera in my case, right?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Well it's certainly an option but there are lots of options depending on budget, personal preferences, exact usage etc

[@Gulliveck]

A Panasonic camcorder which is not ugly to look at - what a novelty! If not for the lettering, I would think it is a Sony. Good review. Oh, and lose the music, or at least lower the volume. It does not liven up the video, but just a distraction.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thanks. I'm experimenting with the music (and indeed the whole style; the vignette, the colour tweaking etc). Tried to keep it low but I know I'll never please everyone!

[@marcsico7664]

I happen to like the music. Didn't find it distracting at all. Besides it's about the review which was probably one of the best reviews i ave seen in along time.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you very much! Cheers

[@mikaakoo]

bonjour could you compare please PANASONIC DVX200 with the new panasonic UX 90 , UX 180 and HCX1… DVX200 has 4/3 sensor but do not have HDR recording mode and the others panasonic have 1inch sensor but maybe with HDR the quality of pictures are nearly the same …..and even maybe in low light (concert , street , sunset…)…thank you very much… Tobias from caribbean (do you think with a firmware DVX200 could do HDR too?)

[@TubeShooterMag]

Hello. I cannot directly compare them as I no longer have these camcorders; they were only on temporary loan from Panasonic. Sorry.

[@PHSPictures]

By what you've said, I'm not sure you quite understand what HDR is or the reason it exists. But to be clear, the DVX200 has 12 stops of dynamic range and when coupled with the Panasonic VLog recording mode, that's quite a lot of dynamic range that the UX90, UX180 and the HCX1 do not have. The UX90,180 and HCX1 have presets that Panasonic call "Gamma Modes or Gamma Curves". But if you need to control the dynamic range in post production, then VLog is what you'll be looking for. This will allow you to create truer HDR projects. The "Gamma Modes" won't really cut it and consumer video cameras that have "HDR recording modes" really only have them as a gimmick. They are not recording true HDR footage.

[@nelunegrileanu4225]

Hi ! Thank you for your review ! I'd like to know how is Panasonic ag-ux90, compared to Sony nx100, in low light(i mean which one has a brigther image and less noise).

[@TubeShooterMag]

I have not directly compared them but I would suspect the Sony (of course it only shoots HD not 4K)

[@nelunegrileanu4225]

Thank you!Have a nice day!

[@richarda.phillips2181]

What are the differences between this and the fz2500? Thanks?

[@TubeShooterMag]

They're entirely different camcorders / cameras not really comparable.

[@nadafdigitalstudioboroti6793]

Can I use D Link Wi-Fi Dogal to cunact to my phone anouroyd

[@sathyadevkona127]

iam having problem in recording in uhd mode 25p movie is slightly shaking, my camera model is ux9o ed where i was using sd card 95mb/s another is 250mb/s

[@TubeShooterMag]

Can you explain what you mean by "shaking" or provide a link to a clip showing the issue?

[@sathyadevkona127]

Moving objects r in blur where camera is on tripod

[@sathyadevkona127]

Standing objects r perfect

[@sathyadevkona127]

But in wedding we have to move 1 place to another place example if bride is coming from car into church it is moving shaking see once if u have footage

[@sathyadevkona127]

My camera is updated in service center also just two days back

[@bilenicapturedmomentsbilgr7570]

How do connect HDMI

[@naradhaldar143]

how to reset all setting in ux90 ?

[@vikkivignesh4646]

Av out setting plz

[@adobecaptivate]

It looks like Panasonic renamed the HCX1000. Ihad and sold it. Personally, I hated the video quality and the ergonomics were OK but not aas hppd as Canon equivalents. The chip is only 1" and not great. I think the GH4 is better. Good review!

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you. This is not a rebadged HCX1000, it's a new updated model.

[@mohanbhanu5]

sir night mode chenge how..

[@ahmetyilmazer432]

4 k görüntüde kayıt titriyor neden

[@samuelserubiri9390]

How good is this AG UX90 in low light

[@TubeShooterMag]

Not great

[@МБ5-д2д]

Best quality👍👍👍

[@Gtaoriginals]

Is it good for web series

[@TubeShooterMag]

That's too vague a question as "web series" could mean anything.

[@Nilsosmar]

Thank you for the information. But PLEASE take out the awful, grating, irritating and distracting "music" behind your voice in future videos.

[@mosheberkovitz4358]

מצלמה מעולה, למה אין הדרכה בעברית?

[@au1947]

very nice review

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thank you

[@vishnukumar-eu5oy]

ux90 satting

no peaking in autofocus !!! only in manual. PANASONIC WHYY ????!!!!!!

[@TubeShooterMag]

I suppose because peaking is seen as a function to help you attain focus when setting manually rather than as a tool to show you what the autofocus is doing.

Of course yes, but sometimes autofocus will lose focus, and then peaking helps corect via ring (manual). Peaking in autofocus... It would not bother me at all (sony have peaking in af with all cameras). This is very useful.