New Expert HD Camcorders

Panasonic is not one to rest on its laurels and its new flagship HD camcorders are a case in point. Panasonic achieves its highest-ever image quality in these models with 3MOS System Pro, which combines the Advanced 3MOS Sensor with its new pixel shift technology, the Leica Dicomar Lens with Nano Surface Coating Technology, and Crystal Engine Pro II with its high-speed processing capability. Technically specified and proud of it, the new HC-X900, HC-X900M and HC-X800 produce bright, beautiful images with minimum noise, even under dim lighting. To further add to their appeal, with the optional 3D Conversion Lens mounted, these models will also record FULL HD 3D images in the AVCHD 3D format.

Ultrafine Image Quality Thanks to the 3MOS System Pro

One of the key talking points of these new additions is the Advanced 3MOS Sensor Pro achieving Panasonic's highest-ever image quality by combining a completely new lens, sensor and engine. The F1.5 Leica Dicomar Lens, with its bright image rendering and high, corner to corner resolution, was further enhanced by a Nano Surface Coating Technology that dramatically reduces ghosts and flaring. An Octagon Iris Diaphragm allows the user to apply beautiful defocusing when desired. The Advanced 3MOS Sensor processes the huge number of pixels, which are approximately equivalent to four times the pixel count of Full-HD, at high speed, thanks to the pixel shift technology with submicron accuracy. And the newly developed Crystal Engine Pro II processes this huge number of pixels at high speed to produce highly detailed Full-HD images. The 3MOS System Pro also performs superbly in low-light shooting, cutting noise by 40% compared to previous models (HDC-HS900/TM900/SD900). The user is able to preserve important images with bright, vivid colors just as they appeared in nature.

New F1.5, 29.8mm Wide-Angle Leica Dicomar Lens with Nano Surface Coating Technology

As you’d expect from these high end camcorder, they feature the very best technology. The F1.5 Leica Dicomar Lens with Nano Surface Coating Technology on the HC-X900, X900M and X800 are manufactured using measuring instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards. This lens minimizes the distortion and degradation of contrast and resolution that tend to occur at the lens periphery. The Nano Surface Coating is applied to the lens surface. By forming a nano-level, microstructure film with an ultra-low refractive index onto the lens surface, the reflection of incident light is dramatically reduced. This significantly reduces ghosting and flare to produce crisp, clear image rendering. Plus, the 29.8mm wide-angle2 is especially convenient for recording indoor or in tight spaces.

Advanced 3MOS Sensor

Only Panasonic incorporates 3MOS for consumer HD camcorders. Not one to rest on its laurels, Panasonic is committed to pushing the boundaries to provide the very best image quality. The Advanced 3MOS Sensor employs a new pixel shift technology that was made possible by the accumulation of years of development. The green MOS sensor is shifted vertically and horizontally relative to the blue and red MOS sensors with submicron-level accuracy. This achieves high-speed processing that is approximately equivalent to four times the pixel count of Full-HD pixel. By using this high-volume, high-density sensor to process the image signal for Full-HD recording, meticulously detailed images with excellent colour reproduction are produced.

Crystal Engine Pro II

The HC-X900, X900M and X800 feature the newly developed, ultra-high speed Crystal Engine Pro II. By using this engine to perform high-speed processing of the huge number of pixels -approximately equivalent to four times the pixel count of Full-HD - that are obtained with pixel shift technology, superb Full-HD image quality is achieved even in detailed image parts. The improved processing capability also dramatically reduces noise by 40% compared with previous models (HDC-HS900/TM900/SD900), to record clear, stunningly beautiful images even in dim lighting. It also makes it possible to record highly detailed 3D images with Full-HD quality.

HYBRID O.I.S. + for Blur Free Footage

Highly technically specified from root to tip, the new additions have every angle covered to ensure beautiful footage. Blurry images are not a good look which is why these models feature HYBRID O.I.S. +. This technology uses five-axis correction to thoroughly suppress blurring all the way from wide-angle shots to powerful zoom shots. It also achieves superb effects when shooting while walking. This lets the user capture crisp, clear images, without blurring, in almost every shooting situation. This revolutionary five-axis correction function corrects the kind of roll direction hand-shake that often occurs when shooting while walking, in addition to horizontal, vertical, yawing, and pitching four-axis correction. This makes the hybrid correction function, which previously worked only for telephoto, also effective for wide-angle shooting. It records steady images over the entire zoom range.

In addition to the HYBRID O.I.S. + system, these camcorders provide even more powerful hand-shake correction with O.I.S. Lock. By pressing the O.I.S. Lock button on the LCD monitor, the blur detection sensitivity is maximized and all kinds of camera movements are detected as hand-shake and corrected without image degradation. O.I.S. Lock is ideal for applications like bird watching, which call for zooming at a fixed angle.

iA (Intelligent Auto) with Face Recognition

There are times when the assurance of a good shot is of key importance. With this in mind, the new additions feature the iA function that automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode at the press of a button. The iA function consists of six functions: Face Recognition, the new HYBRID O.I.S. +, AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Intelligent Contrast Control. Simply press the button and the camcorder will do all the hard work to achieve beautiful images.

Face Recognition is very useful for capturing beautiful images of a specific person among a group of people in the frame. Face Recognition finds the registered faces of subjects and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure for them. It continues to track the subject as the person moves anywhere within the LCD frame, making it ideal for video shooting. A maximum of six faces can be registered. High recognition accuracy can be ensured under various shooting conditions by registering facial images from different angles or with different expressions for each person. Names can also be displayed on the LCD for up to three people. Smile Shot is another handy function. It automatically records a still image during motion image recording when the camcorder detects a smiling face on the subject. This makes sure that the user won't miss the best smile.

Advanced Highlight Playback

The Advanced Highlight Playback function is designed for users who want to view recorded images as quickly as possible. It detects zooming, panning, scene changes, faces, etc., in recorded images as "highlights" by using the I.I.S. (Intelligent Index System). In addition to these automatically selected scenes, the user can add others as desired. Then, it automatically plays back the detected highlight scenes according to a set time interval. The Advanced Highlight Playback function offers playback effects such as Slow, Fading Still Image, and Flash Playback. There are also four special effect modes: Natural, Pop, Dynamic and Classical. Each adds a special effect suitable for the mood of recorded footage, to create impressive images that allow viewers to imagine the occasion and place of shooting. With the addition of the Face Highlight Playback mode, the function can detect faces registered in the Face Recognition function. Giving priority to the detected faces, parts that are recognized as being clearly recorded are extracted from a long recording, for quick playback complete with music.

Time Lapse Recording

Time Lapse Recording is a convenient function that plays a scene such as a sunset or a blooming flower at an accelerated speed in fast-forward fashion, just like the unique effects used in TV programs. By setting the recording interval to 1 sec, 10 sec, 30 sec, 1 min or 2 min, the user can view an otherwise long recording in a reduced time period. For example, when a scene is recorded at the 1-sec interval setting, a 10-minute sunset scene can be played back in approximately 10 seconds , making the slow change in the subject appear as if it were taking place in a very short time. Interval recording with lifelike 3D images is also possible by attaching the 3D Conversion Lens to the camcorder. For example, when a blooming flower is recorded using interval 3D recording, the appearance of the flower as it gradually opens outward is so realistic, and the image is so stunningly beautiful, that the viewer might even imagine the sweet aroma of the flower as it blooms.

60 Frames/sec High Speed Burst Shooting

In addition to full-HD video recording, the new models can capture 16 megapixel still images. Thanks to the 60 Frames/sec High Speed Burst Shooting function the camcorder can snap up to 60 consecutive images per second , with 2.1-megapixel stills for the new additions making a total of 180 consecutive images in about three seconds. It can be used to analyze a golf swing, tennis stroke or other motion. It can also be used to get good shots of subjects in fast motion. The user can fire off a number of shots without stopping, then keep the best ones and delete the rest.

Full HD 3D Recording

By simply mounting the optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens onto the new additions it is possible to record FULL HD 3D images with the MVC (Multiview Video Coding) recording system of the AVCHD 3D format. Right-eye and left-eye images are both recorded and played in Full-HD quality, using the Frame Sequential Method to produce FULL HD 3D images. This brings all the lifelike ambience of the actual scene right into the living room. Because the 3D images are recorded in the new AVCHD 3D format, they are highly compatible with TVs and BD players, allowing users to easily enjoy high-quality 3D viewing at home. Recorded 3D data can also be intuitively edited by using included software to add the finishing touches to original 3D images. All models include the option to record in the iFrame format, which is designed to speed up editing when working with compatible video editing applications.

Of course, as you’d expect from camcorders of this caliber the X900, X900M and X800 all record in full HD (1920 x 1080, 60 progressive recording) at a 28-Mbps bit rate which conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlace) recording to produce ultimately beautiful image quality. It minimizes afterimages and flickering caused by subject motion, and renders crisp, detailed images with smooth-looking motion even when shooting a fast-moving subject in a sports event. The progressive recording fully complies with the new AVCHD Progressive standard.

12x Optical Zoom and 23x Intelligent Zoom

The new additions are equipped with a 12x optical zoom, which can be further extended to 23x thanks to the Intelligent Zoom function. This is possible due to the super resolution technology of the Image Processing LSI, enabling telephoto shots at up to very high levels of magnification. Even when the optical zoom range is exceeded, telephoto shots maintain their clear, beautiful HD image quality.

Looking at the LCD

The semi professional 900 series enjoy a 3.5” 3D LCD which allows the user to check 3D images while shooting without having to connect to a monitor. The HC-X900 and X900M features about 1,150,000-dot 8.8-cm/3.5-inch naked-eye 3D liquid-crystal panel on the camera body. By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes. This creates a 3D effect without the need for special eyewear. Naturally, the display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.

The X900, X900M and X800 all enjoy an intuitive touch operation LCD enabling extremely easy control. The "Touch Zoom" function provides stable zooming while recording. The user simply touches an indication on the LCD to activate slow zooming, thus enabling smooth, optimal adjustment of the angle of view. Another touch-operation function is the "Touch Shutter", which automatically focuses and takes a still picture when the user touches the subject on the screen . The user can also change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. This kind of advanced touch operation provides much smoother shooting and playback. The X800 features a 3.0inch LCD.

The 900 Series Has Extra Bits!

In addition to the 3.5” 3D LCD, the top of the range X900 and X900M also include a manual ring and 5.1-channel sound system. With the manual ring and manual operation, these camcorders are a pleasure to use and offer the freedom to craft unusually expressive images. Only Panasonic offers a 5.1-channel sound system that uses five microphones. When voices recorded from the front, right, left and back are played on a 5.1-channel home cinema system, viewers are surrounded by clear, detailed sound that makes them feel as if they are right in the middle of the action.

The X900 and X900M differ by their recording format only – the X900M utilises flash memory while the X900 is an SD Memory Card model – ensuring consumers can choose the model most suited to their needs. The X800 records onto SD Memory Card.

These flagship models have reached an entirely new level of image quality thanks to the 3MOS System Pro, where all of the main components - the lens, sensor and engine - have made dramatic advances.