Panasonic HC-X2E-K 4K 60p Professional Camcorder, Video Camera Camcorder with 15-megapixel 1.0-type MOS Sensor, 20x Optical Zoom, i.ZOOM 32x (FHD), 3G-SDI Output, XLR Input, Wired Remote

Stunning camera

My freind got this and i tested this and it was amazing but very overpriced

It's a great point-and-shoot camcorder for semi-pro and enthusiast cinematographers who still appreciate the "old fashioned" method of video production. Really impressed by colour response and low light capabilities too, quite the quantum leap from my old HDV camera. You can get full broadcast quality images at FHD, and near-broadcast quality at UHD. For YouTube stuff it'll knock it out of the park no prob. This is my kind of go-anywhere-shoot-anything beast.However my unit turned out to have issues which did not come to light until some time after it the unit was purchased. For a start, the lens does not appear to be properly lined up with the sensor chip, creating a weird, small vignette effect at the bass of ALL pictures shot on it - which get gradually more invasive the further you zoom in. It wasn't noticed until in the edit. It was easy to correct for by applying a slight digital zoom in shave off the dark edge at the bottom of frame - but there is no way such an expensive camera should have so wretched a flaw. Now I shoot on it with a little extra floor room knowing I'll have to crop the bottom 5% of frame.Another issue is this camera is prone to crashes. It will, every now and then just lock up and necessitate battery removal to get it to reboot. This has cost me the loss of very valuable footage in the past and now I have to be hyper-vigilant when using it to watch for the telltale signs of a crash (basically the recording time counter will stop moving). I've also stopped having the histogram up on screen whilst recording because both previous crashes occurred whilst it was in use. I'm wondering if the software onboard can't quite handle it.I don't know how widespread these issues are with this model, or whether I was sold a dodgy return by a disreputable trader. All I can say is make sure to thoroughly test the camera when you get it. IF the camera did not have these impactful defects I would be giving it 5 stars. In its slightly compromised state though, I can't in good conscience give it more than 2.

Beware if ordering this camcorder from Amazon. I actually ordered this camcorder with the HC-x1500 because I wanted to compare the size difference as I was worried that the HC-X20 would be too large for my needs (non professional).The order was meant to arrive on the 18th May but was delayed because the courier had apparently attempted delivery, however, I was at home and I looked out for the delivery during the designated delivery period because I was excited about the order.The next day, the courier arrived with two boxes & I had to provide the one time passcode, presumably because I was buying two high value items. The big box, where presumably the HC-X20 was stored was sealed with one piece of sellotape that did not look that secure. Anyway, I took the order in and opened the smaller box which had the HC-X1500 plus a few other small items. The larger box that did not feel that heavy had a smallish box in it and I started to panic! I realised that this could not be the camcorder. The box said hangers on the outside and I opened the box very slightly and it was hangers inside!Therefore, somewhere along the delivery process, someone has swapped the camcorder with the box of hangers so I am obviously going through the returns process now. I have my suspicions based on the non-attempted delivery the day before but obviously cannot prove anything.Key bit of advice for anyone that wants it is that if you order a high value item and need to provide a passcode, if at all possible, see if the box can be opened before you hand the passcode over. Not sure I would risk ordering an expensive item from Amazon gain after this experience although I do like the HC-X1500 and have decided to keep it but I would have liked to see the comparison & possibly bought both.