New Panasonic AG HC-X2 (HC-X1/UX180 successor)

Still no camera does it all if you do a wide range of video work, but those camcorders are useful for their fair shair. The new in 2022 HC-X2 launch price is $3197, in 2016/17 the UX180 was $3495, in ~2012 when I bought some HMC-150 they were $3495 (or $3295 I don't remember now). The CX-350 is still $3495,
I bought more than one at the time so I actually paid $2695 for the HMC150s, and also $2695 for the UX180s but point is the HC-X2 finally has a good LCD and is a better camera for good price. Small sensor yes but you can shoot in UHD and crop in in post on a 1080 timeline, which is very useful. If they would make something like an FX3 with buit-in ND that would be great.

The Canon XF605 is $4699 (it actually went up in the last 1.3 years). I wanted a few of those but too expensive and shorter zoom range and limited in the codecs I want. Would love that canon color though
 
The CX-350 recently dropped to $3251.60...only mentioning that because I'm 99% sure it's a mistake on B&H's front-end. Not the price drop but that exact dollar and cent amount. lol
 
I paid less than $3000 for the HC-X2, considering its features, and the inflation in general, I think that today is a great deal. Better than the CX350 actually.
 
The better LCD on the x2 is nice specially for run and gun. I mostly though shoot with a 7" external Atomos for conferences and interviews, much easier than a 3.5" screen. I primarily use a dedicated wired ethernet for streaming but recently I had a client who wanted to stream a presentation and AV at the hotel quoted him $800 per line/room a day. He decided not to stream as they where on a budget. Have any used wireless streaming at a hotel using shared guest internet? Did you run into any problems? The X2 might be a nice workaround option for people on budget and want streaming!
 
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Just make sure you test test test with anything streaming and Panasonic. I have found these features to be unreliable and quite disappointing over the years. People in tech support seem to not know very much about the features either, which tells me they are kind of an afterthought in some ways. Not saying they are not improved but just make sure before using on the job etc...
 
Just used the RTMP streaming today. It works well but bear in mind that you need a reliable network. RTMP does not have error correction or packed recovery. We used the RTMP with 4G/LTE and worked fine but the signal was strong. SRT is for unreliable networks and should work much much better. But, to be honest, if you do not control the network, the professional way is to get a bonding solution like LiveU, Aviwest, etc

Ken1212 said:
The better LCD on the x2 is nice specially for run and gun. I mostly though shoot with a 7" external Atomos for conferences and interviews, much easier than a 3.5" screen. I primarily use a dedicated wired ethernet for streaming but recently I had a client who wanted to stream a presentation and AV at the hotel quoted him $800 per line/room a day. He decided not to stream as they where on a budget. Have any used wireless streaming at a hotel using shared guest internet? Did you run into any problems? The X2 might be a nice workaround option for people on budget and want streaming!
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I have been using HC-X1 for livestreaming via ATEM switchers & LiveU for the past couple of years. It's been reliable, however the biggest issue I have had with it is the low quality HDMI picture output when set to 1080 output. I have numerous other cameras, including Panasonic GH mirrorless cameras and they are all fine. The X1 seems to lose detail. I tested a DVX2000 and saw the same thing. Tested a Canon XF605 and the HDMI image was good...but the price upgrade and loss of zoom range for events caused me to stick with the X1.
Does anyone who owns both X1 & X2 tell me whether this has been improved in this new camera? I'd buy it just for that alone if so.
 
What do you mean with "bad" quality? The HDMI signal is an uncompressed baseband signal which should have the same picture quality (if not more) than the recorded footage. It is a digital signal so there is no graduation in picture quality like it was with analog signals. SDI and HDMI should have identical picture quality. I will test my X2 but this is weird.
 
AnthonyR said:
I have been using HC-X1 for livestreaming via ATEM switchers & LiveU for the past couple of years. It's been reliable, however the biggest issue I have had with it is the low quality HDMI picture output when set to 1080 output. I have numerous other cameras, including Panasonic GH mirrorless cameras and they are all fine. The X1 seems to lose detail. I tested a DVX2000 and saw the same thing. Tested a Canon XF605 and the HDMI image was good...but the price upgrade and loss of zoom range for events caused me to stick with the X1.
Does anyone who owns both X1 & X2 tell me whether this has been improved in this new camera? I'd buy it just for that alone if so.
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Over the years I personally noticed a noticeable difference with HD and 4K output settings. Gerald Undone once randomly talked about it in one of his videos, I think maybe the a1 and 8K vs. 4K (including outputs), but IDR exactly which video.

Not sure how the X2 behaves - but, in short, in some cameras you have to set the camera to output 4K (if available) to get the better quality out of the camera versus setting it to HD. It could have something to do with oversampling but I'm not sure.

One trick I used to do for long recordings is send a 4K signal to the original 5" video assist which only records HD, so I'd get the benefit of both; the hypothetical better IQ and the smaller file sizes.

The HDMI/SDI outputs are capable of great quality, but it doesn't always mean the system/software will let them have it.
 
I'm pretty sure Panasonic downsamples the HD from the 4k adquisition. I will test the HDMI quality for sure though
 
NorBro said:
Over the years I personally noticed a noticeable difference with HD and 4K output settings. Gerald Undone once randomly talked about it in one of his videos, I think maybe the a1 and 8K vs. 4K (including outputs), but IDR exactly which video.

Not sure how the X2 behaves - but, in short, in some cameras you have to set the camera to output 4K (if available) to get the better quality out of the camera versus setting it to HD. It could have something to do with oversampling but I'm not sure.

One trick I used to do for long recordings is send a 4K signal to the original 5" video assist which only records HD, so I'd get the benefit of both; the hypothetical better IQ and the smaller file sizes.

The HDMI/SDI outputs are capable of great quality, but it doesn't always mean the system/software will let them have it.
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For these jobs I am working in HD due to the limitations of the ATEM switchers and livestreaming in general, so unable to output 4K into these units. I do have other converters which might do a better job of the downsampling, but this is another link to the chain that I don't want. WHen using my GH5/5S/6 cameras, the HD HDMI output is perfect.
 
mitteg said:
HDMI out tested. I do not see any problem. There is no degradation of picture quality in the X2.
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It would be great to have a side by side comparison of both X1 & X2 to see if the units differ, as I found the same behavior with a DVX2000. I may be able to get me hands on a CX350, to I will compare that too.
 
AnthonyR said:
For these jobs I am working in HD due to the limitations of the ATEM switchers and livestreaming in general, so unable to output 4K into these units. I do have other converters which might do a better job of the downsampling, but this is another link to the chain that I don't want. WHen using my GH5/5S/6 cameras, the HD HDMI output is perfect.
Click to expand...

Don't the ATEM switchers accept a 4K signal and down-convert to HD automatically? At least the new ones?
 
Oh, right - I was thinking about Atomos not ATEM, but not sure why they wouldn't allow them to have it when their video assists can do it (maybe too much going on already).
 
AnthonyR said:
It would be great to have a side by side comparison of both X1 & X2 to see if the units differ, as I found the same behavior with a DVX2000. I may be able to get me hands on a CX350, to I will compare that too.
Click to expand...

I do not know if this applies or if you already know this, but the CX350 has separate recording and output settings for both HDMI & HDSDI. This is very convenient but can also catch you off guard. Meaning you can have the internal recording set to 1080p60 and the HDMI might be set to 1080i or other etc... Maybe this could be the source of the HDMI not looking the same as recorded material?
 
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