Panasonic HC-X1500E Professional 4K Camcorder

Panasonic HC-X1500E Camcorder

Professional shooting everywhere: HC-X1500 packs advanced functions in a well-balanced body to excel both in functionality and mobility. A new ultrathin fan disperses the heat to allow the construction of the industry's smallest and lightest 4K/60p-camcorder and a very low power consumption.

Flexible Framing with 25mm Wide-Angle and 24x Optical Zoom
The lens covers the range from 25mm wide-angle to 600mm tele with a 24x zoom. i.ZOOM achieves 32x zoom with 4K resolution, and 48x zoom with FHD.

High-Precision AF
Face detection helps you keeping the focus on your main subject - even when it is turned sideways to the camera. Distance and exposure are being tracked precicely incorporating the live data read-out from the sensor and sophisticated colour recognition.

5-axis HYBRID Image Stabilisation
In addition to the Optical Image Stabilisation in the lens, Electronic Image Stabilisation detects and corrects camera shake. The lens O.I.S. System incorporates balls to drive the motor, which reduces friction and improves the correction of blurring caused through natural hand held camera shake.

4:2:2 10-bit Internal Recording
Allowing you to capture more colour information in 4:2:2 10-bit, the HC-X1500 supports 10-bit Full HD in 59.94p/50p (100 Mbps) and 4K-recording in 29.97p/25p (200 Mbps) on SD-card. Via HDMI-output, you can record 4K/10-bit files even in 59.94p/50p.

Full-HD Live Streaming
RTSP/RTP/RTMP/RTMPS-compatible HD streaming enables direct connection and distribution of relays for concerts, sports events, and news flashes to Facebook, YouTube, etc.

Wireless Control from a Tablet or Smartphone
A Wi-Fi module is built-in, so Wi-Fi connection of only the body is possible. Using a tablet or smartphone app HC ROP, wireless camera settings, and lens control are also possible.

Delivery Contents:
1 x HC-X1500E Camcorder
1 x AC Adaptor
1 x AC Cable
1 x Rechargeable Battery Pack 5,900mAh
1 x Eye Cup
1 x Lens Hood

Precise Optical Performance
The 4-Drive Lens System controls the lens groups independently. This integrated lens offers a remarkably powerful optical 24x zoom that ranges from 25mm (35mm camera equivalent) wide angle to 600mm* tele. i.ZOOM achieves 32x at 4K resolution, and 48x at FHD. Equipped with a LEICA Dicomar Lens world-renowned for its high standards of lens resolution, contrast, and quality, the camcorders produce stunningly beautiful images while suppressing flaring and ghosts. Two Manual Rings are provided, one for focusing and the other for zoom or iris operation. The Manual Rings are different sizes, so the appropriate ring be accurately identified by touch. ND Filters can be selected from 1/4, 1/16, 1/64, and Clear, while glass is newly used as a countermeasure against scorching from sunlight condensation.

High-speed, High-precision AF Including Face Detection AF/AE
Face Detection AF/AE provides precise focusing and sufficient exposure for subjects, and together with the precise focus lens drive achieves superior focusing speed, stability and tracking performance for both 4K and Full-HD. In addition, subject tracking with color recognition can be activated on the LCD panel.

5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.
For both UHD and FHD modes, in addition to O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), Electronic Image Stabilization operates to detect and correct handshake in 5 axes, including rotational blurring. The Ball O.I.S. System reduces friction on the drive section, achieving delicate correction even for small-amplitude handshake. This produces beautiful images with suppressed handshake even at high, 24x optical zoom.

Industrys Smallest and Lightest Camcorder
A newly developed fan is at the center of Panasonics new heat-dispersing design, creating the industrys smallest and lightest camcorder with integrated lens capable of 4K 60p recording. By borrowing air from the rear panel of the camera and efficiently dispersing heat from the front panel, reliable, extended shooting is achieved.

High-Quality, Versatile Recording
The Venus Engine, found in almost all of Panasonics LUMIX cameras, is also incorporated in these camcorders. This enabled 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording with maximum 29.97p in UHD, and maximum 59.94p in FHD.

When set for 10-bit recording, the camcorder delivers 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output, enabling high image quality capture with an external recorder. New, highly efficient HEVC recording (LongGOP/10-bit 4:2:0/MOV) is also supported for recording 59.94p at a high bit rate of 200 Mbps. As for file formats, in addition to MOV, MP4, and AVCHD, the AG-CX10 also supports the ideal P2 MXF for the editing system for broadcast stations, and recording by the AVC-Intra/AVC-LongG codecs is supported. AVC-Intra100/50 codec support is planned for the future. Recording by all P2 formats requires a microP2 card.

Super Slow-Motion Recording
FHD mode enables slow-motion recording at 120 fps (for 59.94 Hz)/100 fps (for 50 Hz). 10-bit recording is supported, and full-frame images with the image area uncropped are obtained even at high frame rates. Additionally, auto focus can be used in this mode.

Professional Functionality and Design
A bright video light is built into the handle (the optional handle unit VW-HU1 is required for HC-X1500) and can be adjusted between 30% to 100% using the dimmer dial. IR lights (recommended 850-nm wavelength light) are supported for IR (Infrared) shooting for shooting in dark conditions.

The 3.5-inch monitor has 2,760K-dots of resolution, making it approximately 2x brighter and having approximately 2x the number of dots compared to a conventional monitor (e.g. HC-X1000). It provides higher legibility even under bright sunlight. An electrostatic touch panel improves the operating ease of selecting menu items. Since the 1,555K-dot tiltable viewfinder and LCD output simultaneously, the image being recorded can also be confirmed in the LCD monitor while viewing it on the EVF. Focus Assist functions including Expand, Peaking and One-push AF are included to support fast, accurate manual focusing.

The included battery is unobtrusive when attached and enables approximately 4.5 hours of continual operation.

Double SD Card Slot
Two SD memory card slots are provided and with unlimited Relay Recording, the device switches automatically and seamlessly from Slot 1 to Slot 2. Maximum file size that can be recorded over multiple SD cards is 96 GB. Recording will not stop even when the data size exceeds 96 GB. Simultaneous Recording or Background Recording is also selectable to match the workflow and card necessity.

48-kHz/24-bit High Resolution Linear PCM Audio Recording
+48V Phantom Power Supply/MIC/LINE Selectable XLR Audio Input with Manual Volume is equipped for each of 2 channels. Also supported is a 24-bit linear PCM system (MOV/P2 MXF -- AG-CX10 only), 16-bit AAC (MP4), or Dolby Audio system (AVCHD) high-quality 2-channel audio recording. The optional handle unit (VW-HU1) is required for HC-X1500.

Versatile Network Functions
A Wi-Fi module is built-in, so there is no need for a separate wireless LAN module, and Wi-Fi connection is possible without additional equipment. Using a tablet application HC ROP, wireless remote control, including camera settings and lens control, can be set. RTSP/RTP/RTMP/RTMPS-Compatible HD Streaming allows direct connection and streaming over Facebook, YouTube, etc., of concerts, sports events, and news flashes. In addition, the AG-CX10 has an NDI|HX mode, so an external converter is not needed for data transmission and camera control via IP connection.

Other Network Features:
3G-SDI for connecting to an external recorder (AG-CX10, HC-X2000)
USB (micro AB) to LAN Conversion Adaptor Included (AG-CX10)
Compatibility with wired remote controls via the remote terminal.

Optional Handle Unit
An optional Handle Unit (VW-HU1) is easily detached and equipped with a 2-channel XLR Audio Input, audio control, and LED light. Operation of the zoom lever attached to the Handle Unit maintains a constant zoom speed, which can be set in 7 steps from the menu.

Optical performance for precise shooting
The integrated lens offers 24x optical zoom, from 25 to 600mm (35mm equivalent). i.ZOOM achieves 32x at 4K and 48x at FHD. The lens is equipped with four motors that each drive four lens groups separately; thus, 24x optical zoom can be achieved in a compact body. Thanks to the LEICA Dicomar lens, which meets Leica Camera AGs strict quality criteria in terms of resolution, contrast, etc., a stunning image can be achieved in which flare and other optical defects are suppressed. There are two manual rings, one for focusing and the other for zoom or aperture control. The manual rings are each a different size so that they can be distinguished with the fingers and do not get tangled. There are 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 and Clear ND filters to choose from.

Very fast and accurate autofocus
Excellent focusing speed and stability and subject tracking for both 4K and Full-HD is achieved with Face Detection AF/AE along with a precision focusing mechanism in the lens. Face Detection AF/AE provides accurate focus and subject exposure. In addition, the colour resolution of subjects can be adjusted - this function can be activated by simply touching the LCD panel - for even more accurate detection.

Five-axis hybrid optical stabilization
In UHD and FHD mode, in addition to O.I.S. (optical image stabilisation), electronic image stabilisation is activated to detect and correct hand shake in five axes, including rotational blur. The entire system offers effective correction under unstable conditions such as shooting from above and below the horizon. The Ball O.I.S. system reduces friction in the drive unit for subtle correction of almost imperceptible camera hand movement. The result is beautiful footage with suppressed hand shake even at high 24x optical zoom!

Compact body and 4Kp60 recording
The heat-dissipating design, including a new type of thin fan, combines the smallest size, lowest camera weight and an integrated lens capable of 4K 60p recording. By channeling air from the rear panel of the device and efficiently dissipating heat from the front panel, it is possible to shoot longer and with greater reliability.

Top quality recording
The new camera models come to market equipped with the Venus Engine solution, which incorporates technologies developed for the LUMIX platform, including 10-bit internal recording with 4:2:2 colour sampling with a max. of 29.98p in UHD and max. of 59.97p in FHD. When 10-bit recording is set, the camcorder offers 10-bit output via HDMI with 4:2:2 sampling, 4K quality and 60p, allowing high quality image capture using an external recorder. New high-efficiency HEVC (LongGOP/10-bit 4:2:0/MOV) recording is also supported for 59.97p recording at a high bitrate of 200 Mbps.

Slow motion footage
Slow motion recording at 120 fps (59.94 Hz) / 100 fps (50 Hz) is possible in FHD mode. 10-bit recording is supported in both full frame and cropped high frame rate modes. Autofocus can also be used when shooting slow motion footage.

High-end features and design
A powerful video light is built right into the grip (except on the HC-X1500, where it is a VW-HU1 option). The brightness can be adjusted continuously via a dimmer switch from 30-100% for low-light shooting. In even more dimly lit environments, you can use commercially available infrared lights (ideally with a wavelength of 850 nm) in IR (Infrared) Shooting mode. The 3.5-inch monitor has a resolution of 2,760,000 dots, which is approximately twice the brightness and approximately twice the number of dots of the regular HC-X1000 monitor. As a result, it has higher readability even in bright sunlight. The electrostatic touch panel has also simplified operation when selecting menu items. The 1,555-dot tilting viewfinder and LCD output also allow the shot to be confirmed on the LCD monitor when viewing it in the EVF for improved work efficiency. To support fast and accurate manual focusing, the new camera models feature Focus Assist with selectable Expand, Peaking and One-push AF modes. The battery does not protrude from the camera body profile and offers approximately 4.5 hours of continuous operation.

Two SD card slots
Two SD memory card slots are available. With unlimited recording, recording automatically switches from slot 1 to slot 2. You can also choose between simultaneous or background recording. The maximum file size that can be written to both SD cards is 96 GB. Recording continues even if the file size exceeds 96 GB.

48 kHz/24-bit linear PCM audio recording
+48V phantom power and a MIC/ LINE level switch with gain adjustment are provided for each of the two channels. 24-bit linear PCM recording (MOV), 16-bit AAC (MP4) recording and high quality two-channel Dolby Audio (AVCHD) audio recording are supported. In the case of the HC-X1500, a handle is available as an optional accessory.

Practical connection options
Thanks to the integrated Wi-Fi module, there is no need for a separate wireless LAN module - you can use Wi-Fi directly from the camcorder. Using the HC ROP tablet app, wireless remote control is available, including device settings and lens control. HD streaming with RTSP/RTP/RTMP/RTMPS support offers direct connection and streaming to Facebook, YouTube and other platforms, for example from live concerts, sporting events, etc. The XC2000 and C10 also offer 3G-SDI output.

4K/60p 10-bit ultra-compact camcorder with 24x f/1.8 Leica from 25mm - 600mm f/4, high-precision autofocus for 4K, 5-axis hybrid stabiliser, viewfinder, manual rings and a range of directly selectable features for demanding users
24x Leica optical zoom with super wide-angle focal length from 25mm and high aperture from f/1.8
1/2.5 sensitive 8.29M BSI MOS sensor and 5-axis Hybrid Optical Stabilizer
Full-sensor 4K video at 4K 30p 4:2:2 10-bit (4:2:0 60p 10-bit)
New Venus Engine with Multi-pixel Luminance Generation and Intelligent Detail Processing
Extendable and tilting 0.24 viewfinder with 1560k resolution and 3.5 wide-angle 2760k LCD touchscreen monitor with high brightness
2x rotating rings on the lens and 12 directly selectable dials for up to 38 functions
Built-in 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 ND filter and fast shooting mode up to 120 fps
Switchable IR filter for shooting in the dark in inframode (white, green)
Fast and highly accurate AF even for 4K with face recognition
Compatible with VW-HU1 detachable handheld (not included) with 2x XLR terminals (24-bit) , mix, steerable LED light, drivers and ext. microphone holder
PRE-REC recording with delay up to 4 sec. before trigger press, interval recording
Live Streaming FHD 60p, Wi-Fi connectivity with remote full control of HC ROP app functions
Dual SD card slots with support for Relay Rec, Simultaneous Rec, Background Rec
8 Image Gamma Profiles, 16-step color channel correction, Soft Skin, Master Detail, etc
Professional preset editing and adjustment functions
Wave Form monitor, Vectorscope and Double Zebra to display color overexposure and correct exposure range
Link input for external 3.5 jack microphone, XLR microphone support (part of the VW-HU1 detachable handle)
Remote control via 2.5 jack (aperture, focus, zoom, rec)
Headphone output 3.5 jack, full HDMI connector, USB 2.0 micro
SD card preset recording/playback
Low power consumption 14.4W for long term operation (approx. 4hr 35min on included 5.9Ah battery)
Integrated lens hood in sun visor