So You Think Camcorders Have Fallen Out of Fashion? We Beg to Differ
Whilst not as “cinematic” as their counterparts with interchangeable lenses and large sensors, camcorders are nevertheless a helpful tool for lots of creatives. But how, and for what?
You would feel with how well known DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have come to be that the camcorder has already disappeared into the black void of overlooked technological know-how, right subsequent to High definition DVDs, a zip travel, and the fabled LaserDisc. But you would be mistaken.
Camcorders are not only nevertheless in use nowadays, but at instances also locate on their own a much better suit for a myriad of distinct workflows. Be it documentary filmmakers, church administrators, skateboarders, or even the Jackass crew. We are not absolutely sure if you saw Jackass Permanently, but the infamous cameraman Lance Bangs nevertheless shot a large amount of sequences on a camcorder. Right subsequent to cinema and high-velocity cameras.
Camcorders come ready to shoot out of the box. With a reliable zoom lens and a really usable microphone, alongside with a viewfinder and articulating display, all you require is to pop in some media and you might be off to the races. Matters like inside NDs, optical picture stabilization, and large-body-fee recording were being all pioneered in camcorders. Most address people options as standard. When you need to shoot ASAP, then a camcorder might be the solution.
We put jointly three camcorders from a few makes for our Deals of the Week to get you up to velocity on what is actually out in the industry.
Featuring a large 1″ sort 4K sensor, the HC-X1 is able of recording online video in DCI (4096 x 2160) as properly as UHD (3840 x 2160) 4K resolutions. You can also record 1080p in VFR (variable body charge) in 10 increments from 2 to 60 fps, as nicely as record Hd movie in a super-slow-movement manner at a body level up to 120 fps. Whether creating occasion or ENG-type videos, or even a quick movie, the 20x optical zoom lens starts from a broad 24mm equal FOV and extends out to 480mm equal FOV. This will get you into tight spots or allow you get amazing creating shots, and permit you punch in on far-absent topics.
The HC-X1 also functions optical image stabilization and when taking pictures in Hd, a 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S. for even further stabilization. The 1″-Sort MOS Sensor delivers solid 4K resolution footage, when the Leica Dicomar 20x zooms lens maintains sharp photographs all over the zoom vary. This Panasonic packs a punch in a compact, handheld kind factor without sacrificing versatility.
An upgraded adhere to-up to the XC10, the Canon XC15 4K Qualified Camcorder is enhanced for more expert use. It features a 1″ 12MP CMOS sensor able of capturing up to UHD 4K resolution at up to 29.97 fps and 1080p at up to 59.94 fps. It has an built-in 8.9 to 89mm zoom lens with an f/2.8 to f/5.6 aperture. The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal duration of 27.3 to 273mm in video clip method and gives different emphasis and zoom rings, as nicely as auto and guide emphasis controls. 4K video is recorded to CFast playing cards in an MXF wrapper at up to 305 Mb/s in an H.264-centered, IntraFrame, 4:2:2, 8-little bit codec, with 1080p video remaining recorded to SD cards at up to 50 Mb/s in an H.264-primarily based, Long-GOP, 4:2:2, 8-little bit codec.
The XC15 will come with the MA-400 microphone adapter, which was originally created for the C300 Mk II and is geared toward single-user applications this sort of as run-and-gun newsgathering. It really is shoe-mountable from two different positions and provides an external mic holder. This Canon camcorder might not be as ergonomically welcoming as the Panasonic, but it provides a highly compact kind element than any other camcorder in its class.
The JVC GY-HM620 ProHD attributes a light-weight-user-pleasant style supplying ability for rapid, successful mobile newsgathering. The three 1/3″ 12-little bit CMOS sensors report in a 1920 x 1080 resolution in NTSC broadcast compatible body costs up to 59.94p in AVCHD. An integrated 23x Fujinon autofocus zoom lens with guide focus and zoom capability has built-in ND filters with a 35mm equivalent focal variety of 29 to 667mm. The aperture opens to a pleasant f/1.6 at the widest close when the optical picture stabilizer retains your handheld footage nice and constant.
What will make the JVC stand out is the pre-document attribute, which continuously information up to 15 seconds in cache memory just before the report button is even pressed. This permits documentarians and reporters to catch important times even prior to the camera is rolling.