I just bought this as a b-cam to my a7siii. Something tells me I’m going to use this a lot more than my a7siii. I think a main point of videography that people are missing these days is the art of story telling. Bokeh doesn’t make to a better story, it can make it more visually appealing although it’s like a drug, everyone wants more bokeh
Matt, You mentioned a great point . Camcorders are the way to go when shooting video because of how easy they are to use, especially with movement. If you doing static shots like interviews etc. and not panning or zooming constantly a DSLR works. We new this information years ago, its the younger generation that is learning this about camcorders. Today everybody is going with DSLR's to shoot video, stupidest thing I have ever seen, you cannot hold a DSLR to your body and make steady movements like a camcorder by bracing your elbow against your chest. I use to work for LBP and use to use a video camera that weighed 60 lbs. ikigami. Using a DSLR you need all these goofy handheld contraptions just to hold the camera while trying to zoom and pan with it unless your using a tripod. Believe me a DSLR has its place because I shoot stills with them ,Nikon etc. But I want a dedicated camcorder for video, I am trying to decide which model will work for me. Enjoyed your review!
Totally agree. I'm old school and cut my teeth using tape based camcorders in the 90s. I've also used DLSRs, bridge cameras to record video but whilst the large sensors and range of lenses and HDR modes are great but hey are VERY uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix S5 mainly for its 4K HLG/V-log internal recording capability but am starting to regret not buying a camcorder instead. I've had to buy a shoulder rig as my arm muscle and wrist were in a lot of pain after handholding. I also missed the power zoom, hard buttons and built in ND filter you get with a camcorder. Another thing that annoys me when videoing events is that I ALWAYS have to tell people that I am shooting video as they automatically think I am taking a still photograph and strike a pose when I point the camera at them!
My career has started with semi-pro camcorders in a TV channel. It was Turkish franchise of CNN. Even in the cinema school I studied we had the same camcorders. There were no SLR's able to shoot high quality videos and we were very limited to camcorders and professional video cameras. Yeah, when 5D Mark2 and 7D released, they were gamechangers, also first generation of Red cameras opened a new era on high resolution video shoots. BUT non of them were giving the comfort of video cameras all in one system which is perfect for run and gone or one-man-band situations. I have found and managed a video production company for 7 years and my colleagues were laughing at me when I tell them I want to use camcorders in my productions. Also during the DSLR mania, my first choice were always interchangable lens video cameras over DSLRs (and mirrorless) like Canon C100 M2, Sony FX7 etc. No camera with photography body can give you that comfort which a camcorder does. All you need for a shoot is included in the camera. It also has all buttons you need for adjustments available on the camera body instead of getting lost in a confusing menu. If I am making any digestable content for example weekly RU-vid videos or street interviews, camcorder is the best things to use. You do not need to be self conciouss while you shoot that kind of repetative content. You shoot and move on. Not every content you create has to be a masterpiece or next academy award nominee...
I've owned the HC-X2000 for almost a year, the cheaper version of the AG-CX10 camera (no P2 recording or ethernet adapter but otherwise identical optics, sensor etc) ... and I absolutely love it. It fits perfectly alongside my GH5 II, the Leica 10-25mm f/1.7 and the 25-50mm f/1.7 I'll be getting soon. There is a place for camcorders, and I actually wanted a tiny sensor for travel use. I love how small this camera is ... Panasonic put a lot of effort into producing the best picture out of such a tiny sensor. The larger camcorders like the AG-CX350 have a 1 inch sensor but ... they are large cameras. I prefer how compact the HC-X2000 (and AG-CX10) are. The built in ND array is fantastic and the screen is so sharp you can manually focus with it. There is no other company that has given a modern make-over to the "tiny" sensor camcorder. Every film maker should have a professional camcorder too. Large sensors and "the most bokeh" isn't the end-all be all; story, content, and editing matters most. That's why I think it's important to have both styles of camera, not just a DSLR / DSLM :)
I couldn't agree more. I didn't start using camcorders until I started my day job and once I started working with them I realized how useful they really are and how much they can do that most cine, mirrorless, and DSLR's can't do. There's definitely a place for all camera styles, but I definitely think camcorders need more love in 2021.
@@mattcolvin8623 Camcorders are extremely useful. I had one of the Sony Handycam consumer camcorders back in the late 2000s, and then a Canon Rebel T5i, so I got used to both styles of shooting, then the consumer Sony AX53 camcorder alongside a Panasonic GH4 several years ago. I really liked the AX53 but wanted a true professional upgrade that was still compact. Sony's 1 inch sensor camcorders didn't cut it: 29mm at wide end, 8-bit, old AVC codecs, etc. Canon has the XF400 but it is crippled hard, it has very limited pro level controls (you can't set EV to the control ring, limited picture profile controls, 8-bit) although the autofocus is great. The Canon XF705 camcorder is amazing but is way over priced, costs $7000. I was looking for a true upgrade to the AX53 around the $2000-$3000 price range: tiny sensor (not a 1 inch), fast aperture, 25mm at the wide end, 10-bit, 4K60, built in NDs, all while remaining in a small body, and the HC-X1500, HC-X2000, and AG-CX10 are the only proper modern updates to the tiny sensor style of camcorder. Dare I say it but ... I even use the HC-X2000 in a "cinematic" way, similar to like you showed in your initial review of the AG-CX10. Check out this video I made: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6SLOMZGU8cs.html - Every shot you see that is obviously not a GoPro, drone, or "driving" shot (basically all shots of the forest and animals from the ground, on foot) was taken with the HC-X2000, all handheld too of course. If I had used say a GH5 with the Leica 100-400mm lens, I could have gotten better quality but ... you still have to screw on ND filters, the setup is just more awkward, and there's nothing quite like a servo zoom. Also, on the camcorder I can punch in to check focus in manual focus while recording, and the screen is very sharp and bright. I can get footage so much faster. So many people are unaware of this style of shooting, camcorders give you more freedom. In these particular shots, using the camcorder is very helpful. Like you, I have a DSLM style camera on the side as well for the bokeh and low light and cinematic type stuff, but one can achieve some cinematic looks with this tiny sensor as well in some cases :)
Thanks very much for this excellent and highly informative review. I do own a cinema camera (and other mirrorless), but this has helped persuade me of the value of getting a camcorder as well. (Probably the Panasonic HC-X2000, the slightly younger brother of the CX10 discussed here). A well of valuable experience conveyed in this video - thanks again!
Thanks for watching and commenting! I’ve been using the camcorder for a lot of shoots I was using my mirror less for and it has significantly improved my workflow so I hope you have the same experience.
I am intrigued by 1" sensor camcorders like the Sony NX80. They provide that balance of a cinematic look without too many worries over autofocus...plus all the camcorder conveniences you mentioned.
Another 'pro' is that when filming live events your subject instantly know that your are videoing them and not taking a photo when you point the camera at them. With my mirrorless Panasonic S5, even with a larger Rode mic on top, people assume i'm taking a photo and strike a pose. I always have to do that 'cine hand cranking motion' and tell them iits video...every time! Like record vinyl, camcorders will have their day again when people get bored of that cinematic, shallow depth of field look!
As a shooter than started in actual film, moving over to camcorders, to finally shooting on Dslr/mirrorless, camcorders has a soft spot in my heart. They are definitely convenient in many shooting scenarios. In the late 2000’s I was shooting a scene for an indie feature. I was extremely limited on time but I was able to shoot close to 50 shots in less than 2 hours! Just me moving lights and the camera!
I did buy the X1500 last year. It was the first camcorder purchase in over a dozen years. Since using for marching band competitions, and other events as well as livestreaming, I am all in. It is not the size of your Sensor that counts, it is how you use it. I did buy the handle too. The XLR inputs and audio control on the handle is brilliant.
Here's a suggestion I give a lot to RU-vid producers: You don't need the cheesy background music. It interferes with clear communication. Part of my brain is processing the music while trying to process what you're saying. Just because an audio channel is available doesn't mean you have to use it.
@@mattcolvin8623 You're welcome. I have subscribed. I just think in videos such as yours and others, I just want to hear what's being said. Why is this product good or bad? It's a rather old-school thing they used to teach in film classes. Maybe they don't anymore. Playing music over dialog was something that was almost always frowned upon. I like to look to newscasts as examples. Do you ever hear music playing in the background as the news reader is speaking? Thanks for the video. I'm thinking of getting an AG-CX10.
@@davidgaul572 Thank for the advice! I have actually heard the same thing for this video specifically so perhaps I just didn’t balance the audio correctly. Also thanks for the sub! The CX-10 is my first camcorder style camera and it is a seriously great work horse. I use it mostly for streaming jobs and sports but I’ve also brought it with me on vacations and it really does have everything I could need included in the camera for gorilla video.
@@davidgaul572 I agree with you David 💯 👍. Additionally, these soundtracks are tuned at 445hz which is satanic- similar to rap music. Sound frequency is so powerful it evokes good/bad emotions. To understand my point, listen to some Mozart tuned at 432hz or 396hz and all the aches, tensions and fears will dissipate. Conversely, listen to lil Wayne type rap music and after a while you will become angry and thoughts of violence will imbue your mind. Look at all the senseless violent crimes. I now listen exclusively to classical music and my health, wellbeing and peace has dramatically improved..... to where am calm and readily forgiving whereas before I suffered from anxiety and constantly arguing and fighting.
David, next time you have an argument with your spouse or foresee things getting out of hand play some Mozart, Choplin Noctunes, Bethoven or even some generic piano off RU-vid and excuse yourself for 10 minutes by the time you come back she will be mellow, calm and pleasant and unwilling to even re-excavate the contentious issue. I believe in 5 S's. 1)SOUND 2)STRETCHING (Yoga) 3)SUNLIGHT (4 hours minimum) 4)SEX (No porn but healthy sex) 5)SLEEP 6)SILENCE (1 hour putting your mind at rest) 7)SOLITUDE Bro, you partake in all those for 30 days straight you will be amazed. You emotional and physically will be magically transformed. Your intelligence and cognitive faculty will be markedly sharp and acute. Then remember to walk barefoot everyday for an hour - its called grounding. And eat one meal a day OMAD. Avoid arguments, chatting and laughter. Speak with a low deep pitch.
I love this camera, it’s tiny but mighty! I have had it for a year and I do most of my projects with it. I have a blackmagic camera and I love it too. I use the CX10 way more than I use the BMCC4K.
I bought a Canon XA50 last week and should get it tomorrow. I can hardly wait to use it. My first was a JVC. I really like it but it's long since past time to upgrade. I was considering an XA70 but it doesn't have a wireless control designed for it and the XA50 does. PLUS, it's got a 1" censor.
I'm thinking about getting a camcorder for video needs since I'm planning to do documentary stuff and my Blackmagic Pocket is kind of a pain in the ass in run and gun situations. Glad to find an informative video since the amount of information and articles on camcorders is kinda small compared to mirrorless or dslr.
Hi, now in 2023... How shall lone best compare the Panasonic AG-CX10 to the newer HC-x2? Please advice what the main things rp consider would be= is a huge price difference but many things happens in 2023... I want to live send from protest and make small doucmentreis as well... I am not could at all the tech but I am good at directing and working with people... Want a camera that I can go out with and make money by as well as do vlogs at home or make shortfalls with actors as well... Most people tell me to stay away from camcorder and get a Bacl magic 4k or the newer Sigma FP... The Sigma FP looks really cool, and seem to listen to their users which I totally like! I love cinema look but I also love to catchi things quickly that happens around town.... I of course understand setting up light and mics at home with actors and follow a scene sceudcel is totally different thing than following a protest or making a vlog when out with my bike in the country side... But, I cannot afford right now to buy all kinds of different cameras, but I still want to make actors look great in short films as well as have a fairly easy access to a camera when interesting events happens around town.. so, what do you that worked professionally for a long time, camcorder or more of a small cinema type of camera? and Panasonic AG-CX10 vs HC-x2, what are the pros and cons except for the big price difference between them? do I need HC-x2 in 2023 and forward on, and if so why? thans for a great channel and hope to here your thoughts on the topic° Kind regards from Sweden :)
The headphones amplifier is weak, you should use armature headphones to hear anything in noisy conditions. Do not set gain more than 15 dB. Camcorder body is fragile, my lens was torn off after a fall from just one meter height. It still works, but the optics has been skewed and rangefinder is often mistaken now. Zoom speed is too low and there is just one servo inside - your autofocus doesn't work while you zooming. Automatic gain makes sound too loud. LCD-monitor freezes and ghosting appears in cold conditions, control wheel works in opposite direction too. You should rotate control wheel very slow to make it work properly, so your possibilities to work in cold conditions are limited. Monitor brightness is automatically reduses if built-in LED light is enabled. Handle screw unscrews by itself, you should check it often. But I like this camcorder very much after two years using as a TV-cameraman.
I was at the best flight show in the world, the AXALP 2023 IN Switzerland. Equipped with approximately 10k tools. A Sony a7sIII and an 100-400 mm G-Master lens. I brought no usable video or picture home, only with my 100 Euro iPhone XR. I wasn’t able to zoom in and out in time, and if so, I saw just a blurry blue, the great AF wasn’t able to catch so quick like a jet needs to. And I was zooming in and out and didn’t find the plane until it was flown by. Ridiculous to make much more usable footage with an old iPhone. So I searched RU-vid and found the best content from this event, Elwyn R. and he used a 900 dollar camcorder. You need the small sensor, the parfocal lens of the camcorder and the ability to zoom with knobs. Fighting with your 3 kilo lens is not smooth and makes the camera shaky and due to the big sensor, even the best AF is too slow. The small sensor gives me no bokeh but nearly everything is in Fokus. So this was very telling, I thought „wtf which camera did this Elvyn use? Better than my equipment? Is this even possible?“ But I would need both, so I stick maybe to my full frame, because I am doing art on another channel, I am in search for composition and framing and need bokeh or depth of field for storytelling. It makes a big part of visualising the story. So I am depending on that feature. But maybe I will switch. Right now I am bored of Sony. Thinking of selling every bit and go Canon or maybe Camcorder. And an older Full frame, A7III for portrait shooting. It’s a shame that iPhones still not able to create a bokeh, what is physically not possible but I would actually swap for fotos to my phone.
Thanks for the comment. I love my mirror less but at the end of the day camcorders are very viable cameras for a lot of situations, especially beginners who don’t want to break the bank on 50 different pieces of equipment that one camcorder can provide.
Beautiful review and I think you nailed it when you mentioned you won't use a hammer if you need a screwdriver.Many persons are always looking for an all in one type of deal with recording devices.This is not possible.I never realized that there was a timelapse option or did I?The menus on this camcorder is loaded from top to bottom therefore it can get daunting sometimes. This tells me there are many options.Keep up the great work and let me know where to find that timelapse setting.
@@mattcolvin8623 I found it under recording--record funtion--rec mode , because I was recording in the MP4 format it would not allow me to change the record mode to interval. I had to record in MOV format for the option to become available. Thanks for your tip. I subscribed to your channel keep up the great work.
Haha thanks! Yeah the built in ND is incredible especially for shooting outside. I always use it so I can have a slower shutter speed in time lapse mode so everything has a nice motion blur.
@@mattcolvin8623 oh thats pretty smart, I was gonna ask what size nd filter did you get and I realize its already included... I wish that was in every camera tbh
Which microphone do you recommend on this camcorder for outdoor filming. I am using the Panasonic X1500, and i want to buy the handle but i do not know which microphone i want to buy.
No problem and I actually only used it in this review video, I didn't think about it while editing but I only wanted the blur to effect the talking head parts with me on camera but the adjustment layer was above the other sample footage as well. My other videos I referenced are on my channel if you want to see it without the blur at the edges. Thanks for watching!
Smaller sensor is better for rolling shutter and heat and battery. Some camcorders go extreme small though 1/2.5 which actually is TOO SMALL. one inch is perfect for video though.
Thanks for the useful info - can you expand anymore on how bad the low light performance is please? Also, can you record raw externally and have you tried this at all?
Hey Domonic, the low light performance is meh to be honest but that is usually the case with almost all camcorder style cameras. The first video on my channel is a good example of the lowlight capabilities. As for RAW recording, I have not tried this but I do not believe it would be a viable option if you are looking for RAW DNG recording because all video outs are capped at 1080 to my understanding. You may be able to set it to 4K out but I’m not sure what the bit rate out would be to an external recorder.
@@mattcolvin8623 Thanks for the info. Really helpful. I'm very keen to get a camcorder to complement the other cameras I currently have, but from a DSLR / mirrorless background it's hard to mentally get over that low light 'challenge' which is inevitable with smaller sensors. Thanks again.
@@domonicwhite I totally get that being that I came from a dslr background as well. What I will say is the tools you get in camcorder cameras are well worth the small sacrifice of a smaller sensor. I think this has been one of my favorite camera purchases ever and I’m so glad I took the leap. This is my go to camera at this point, but again, each camera has its pros and cons.
@@mattcolvin8623 It's a tantalising option for sure! Especially with the new macs making noise reduction like Neat Video a more viable tool w.r.t processing times.
Thanks Matt. Great informative video. You mentioned that you shoot sports. Is there a camcorder you would recommend for youth football under stadium light? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks Robert. We have worked with a couple camcorders shooting high school sports, the cx10 being the highest quality. What is the purpose for filming (highlight reels, broadcast, play by play uploads)?
Great preview...Having watched your previous short film on the slacklining, why don't you try making a short fiction film with this one and give a review too?
@@mattcolvin8623 Maybe the low light performances and those shallow depth of field can be put to test once you artificially light a scene for a fiction short.
@@visualthequepresents6661 True I also would want to see how the color grading looks and see what the dynamic range of the camera can actually handle. PS I just watched "Food" on your channel and got some serious "Bed Head" from Robert Rodriguez vibes. Great job on that one.
Hey Rob. So I’ve filmed a few low light situations with this camera. You could watch the first video on this channel. It was filmed around 4 am when it was still pretty dark out. What situations would you finding yourself in? I ask because I have found many creative work around to get nice footage in lowlight but they are exactly that, “creative work arounds”. If you’re looking to primarily shoot in low light situations I would advise against any camcorder in general except for the Sony camcorder line. Camcorder sensors are generally too small to have any real low light range.
@@mattcolvin8623 Thanks for the reply Matt. We'll be filming school productions and some dance/ballet projects. I think this will do really well. Just ordered yesterday.
@@robsrob1283 that’s awesome! I’ve used this camera for a couple stage productions and it generally performs very well with stage lighting. The other great thing about this camera is if you have a PA out option with the venue you are working for, the camera had dual channel recording so I will usually have a clean PA feed in and a shotgun in the second channel for backup and room sounds (clapping, audience, etc.). Best of luck with your purchase!
I have one AG CX-10, my company is shooting sports, but the quality of the recordings is a disaster. We've tried all recording formats, several professional cameramen tried it and couldn't set it by way it looks ok for a pro video for broadcast. Too poor, because we also have few Lumix S5-s for the magazine shows, but as you said they are not good for shooting sport.
The AG-CX350 is infinitely better. Even supports the ACTUAL V-log gamma curve so you can match with the Varicam and other professional ENG cameras. Or now, the GH6 even too.
@@mattcolvin8623 not that bad thought.... I am easily distracted by other stuff.. such as the music.. but however your audio was louder than the background music... which is a real plus... I am still using my old Panasonic P2 cameras from 2006... and trying to decide if I want to upgrade. Hard decision, since I can buy these great old cameras for a couple of hundred dollars each now... thank you again.
@@WalshPhoto well I’m glad you enjoyed! The P2 is an incredible camera and it really just depends on what your using the footage for. If you don’t need the newer features then why spend the extra money? Best of luck with your shopping!
That's awesome! Hopefully this helps with your research. I was in the same boat when I first bought this camera cause no one talks about camcorders haha.
@@mattcolvin8623 well I came from camcorders world firstly and now I use mirrorless but never forgot the full experience from a videocamcorder: great sound, always on focus, easy and fast to use and long time last battery... Actually no rival for that as you said.
Yeah for some reason my adjustment layer in post got messed up on export. If you want a cleaner view of the footage most of the videos on my channel were filmed on the camcorder.
@@TheOneTrueKit lol, I've been putting up with various forms of nonsense (like the above) for about 40 years, my patience has been exhausted for some time; Gloves have been off for some time; Hey Millennials and such, get used to it........ROFLOL
Haha yeah I guess it’s not for everyone but people who are looking into purchasing a camcorder are generally looking to utilize some of the other functions such as full size XLR in and numerous codecs for project base recording formats. Also integrating it into hardwired broadcast and live-streaming situations. Again though, not everyone needs to utilize those things I guess.