Not only can you capture Ultra HD 4K (3840 x 2160) with the Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Camcorderfrom Panasonic, but you can superimpose a secondary video image from your smartphone's camera via a Wi-Fi connection. In this way, covering two camera angles at once within a single recording becomes possible. Other notable features include a 20x optical zoom lens with a 29.5 to 626mm equivalent focal length - giving you a wide angle when zoomed out, a substantial amount of telephoto when zoomed in, and a lot to work with in between. For slowing fast action, the HC-VX870 captures 120 fps native slow-motion at 1080p resolution, which can be slowed down even further using in-camera interpolation - giving you a 240 fps final video.

Through their lens design partnership with Leica, Panasonic incorporated a Leica Dicomar 20x optical zoom lens with four separate optical groups and a maximum aperture of f/1.8. To keep excessive image vibration to a minimum, for steadier handheld shooting, the HC-VX870K features Panasonic's HYBRID O.I.S.+, which combines optical and digital image stabilization to provide 5-axis correction. Adjustable settings allow you to find a stabilization mode most appropriate for the kind of shooting you are doing. From OFF for tripod work, to Normal for regular handheld work, all the way up to Strong for those times when things really get shaky.

The HC-VX870's Wi-Fi does more than let you capture video from your phone's camera as a secondary camera angle. You can preview a live image on your mobile device using the Panasonic Image App and change camera settings. If the camera has Internet access, you can even upload web-friendly copies of videos and photos directly to social media websites. Plus, there's a Baby Monitor function which lets you use the camera like an IP surveillance camera, viewing a remote feed across the Internet.

4K Ultra HD Video and 25.9MP Stills    1/2.3" Back-Illuminated MOS Sensor    20x Optical Zoom / 40x Intelligent Zoom    HYBRID OIS 5-Axis Image Stabilization    1080p Slow Motion Video up to 240 fps    HDR (High Dynamic Range) Video Recording    Capture 4K Frame Grabs from Video    Twin Cam with Wi-Fi and NFC Connectivity    IR Night Mode

The HC-VX870 you can connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and use that as the secondary camera. With this functionality you can shoot from alternate distances or angles for a variety of picture-in-picture images.

By combining two images taken with different exposure times, the HDR Movie function suppresses blown highlights and blocked shadows for crisper, clearer videos. With HDR you can maintain gradation in your images in difficult shooting situations, like when your subject is back-lit.

Set the baby's name and birthday to display thumbnail images of scenes recorded on and around that date, making it easy to find the scenes you want. By moving the subject slightly and shooting still images, you can create a unique animated slideshow. Previously taken photos are displayed with an onion skin effect for easy layering.

Built-in filter effects including Miniature, 8mm Movie, Silent Movie, and Time Lapse Recording let you match your video recordings to the shooting situation.

The HC-VX870K records Full-HD (1920 x 1080) video at 120 fps. For a more dramatic slow motion effect the of the Crystal Engine's Intelligent Frame Creation interpolates frames to achieve an equivalent of 240 fps. You can easily switch to slow motion while recording with a simple touch on the LCD screen.

The image sensor has a 60 fps readout enabling quick focusing speed, stability, and tracking performance.

Level Shot automatically detects and corrects tilting in images. It can be adjusted to three different levels-OFF, Normal or Strong-depending on shooting conditions.

Stabilized on 5 axes (pan, tilt, and roll axes, plus horizontal and vertical directions), the HYBRID OIS suppresses blurring in your videos when not using a tripod or other stabilizer.

Several in-camera functions can be controlled by the Multi-Manual Dial these features include:

• Focus
• White Balance
• Shutter Speed
• Iris
• Sharpness
• Color Saturation
• Brightness

• One-touch Connection - NFC lets you instantly connect a smartphone or tablet to the camcorder with just one touch. Even without an NFC phone, QR codes are provided to make Wi-Fi settings.
• Remote Shooting / Remote View - The "Panasonic Image App" lets you use a smartphone or tablet as a real-time remote to control the camcorder from a distance. View photos and video directly from the camcorder on a smartphone or tablet, and upload to a social networking site.
• Real-Time Broadcasting - You can live-stream events on USTREAM as they are being recorded in Full-HD resolution (requires a wireless access point).
• Baby Monitor - Check on the baby anytime from anywhere with a smartphone or tablet. Push Notification sends an instant alert when the audio sensor detects the baby waking or crying (requires a wireless access point).
• Home Monitoring - When you are away from home, your camcorder can record high-quality live video and you monitor and speak to your family or pets at home from your smartphone or tablet.
• Auto Transfer (Wireless PC Copy) - Images are transferred from your camcorder to your PC via the wireless access point at home.
• Highlight Playback and Easy Share - You can enjoy Highlight Playback with a smartphone or tablet right after shooting. Favorite scenes can be shared on SNS with simple drag and drop operation.
• Wireless TV Playback - An access point at home can be used to transfer data wirelessly to the TV or a tablet in the living room, or other rooms in the house (requires a wireless access point).

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Recording in 4K at normal speed how much time do you get on a 32Gb SD card?

A: With the MP4 4k 30FPS recording format of the Panasonic HC-VX870 you would have roughly 2 hours of recording time since it is a compressed format.

Q: 2. How many sdxc slots and where is it located, I fear only one slot for this price. Also 4.2.2. color?

A: Hello! The camcorder has a single card slot. When using an SD card not from Panasonic, or one previously used on other equipment, for the first time on this unit, format the SD card. When the SD card is formatted, all of the recorded data is deleted. Once the data is deleted, it cannot be restored. You can use these cards with the unit: SD Memory Card (512 MB to 2 GB), SDHC Memory Card (4 GB to 32 GB) and SDXC Memory Card (48 GB/64 GB). Hope this helps! -C

Q: 3. What frame rates are possible in the time-lapse mode?

A: The play back frame rate in the United States is 30FPS. On the HC-VX870, the shooting of one frame intervals for time lapse recording are:1 SEC, 10 SEC, 30 SEC, 1 MINUTE, 2 MINUTES.A example would be a Blooming Flower: 30 second interval, 3 hours shooting, and the end result is 12 seconds of screen time.

Q: 4. Does this camcorder have a time/date stamp on the screen like the older camcorders?

A: The Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder does not record an internal timestamp. The Panasonic HC-X1500 UHD 4K HDMI Pro Camcorder with 24x Zoom (BH #PAHCX1500) would be a good camcorder to consider instead, as this camera can record the internal timestamp.

Q: 5. What is the maximum continuous recording time on a 64gb card in 4k?

A: Hello! The approximate recording time on a 64GB card in 4k would be 1 hour and 50 minutes. However, the actual recordable time refers to the recordable time when repeatedly starting/stopping recording, turning the unit on/off, moving the zoom lever, etc. We encourage you to check this page on the operating manual for information regarding the recording modes/approximate recordable time: https://eng-ca.faq.panasonic.com/euf/assets/PDFs/Camcorders/HCV770_VX870_WX970_SQW0239_ENG.pdf#page=234 . Hope this helps! -C

Q: 6. can it use 128 GB SDXC cards?

A: Yes. The Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder can utilize a 128GB SD card.

Q: 7. Which camera bag is recommended for this camera? Preferably with rainproof cover and good design.

A: The Lowepro Apex 120 AW Shoulder Bag (Black) is a single-compartment bag with adjustable, padded dividers that accommodates a digital SLR with small zoon lens attached, plus accessories. The bag has a built-in micro-fiber cloth, that protects LCD screens and lenses. There is an All-Weather Cover that protects gear against bad weather, dust and sand. It has adjustable, padded dividers to provide excellent protection and a customized fit. The bag has a SlipLock attachment loop. The rugged exterior includes a molded rubber bumper and durable, water-resistant fabrics. Water-resistant shoulder bag that is designed to carry and protect a digital SLR camera with lens attached and accessories

Q: 8. Maximum resolution for slow motion recording?

A: Hello! You can set the slow motion to the Interval mode, which allows you to switch between normal recording and FULL HD Slow Motion Video recording while recording. It is also possible to set it to the Always mode, which records the entire scene as FULL HD Slow Motion Video. If you switch to FULL HD Slow Motion Video Mode when [REC FORMAT] is set to [4K MP4], the [REC FORMAT] setting will change to [MP4/iFrame] and the [REC MODE] setting of [1080/28M] will be selected for [MP4/iFrame]. When you switch from FULL HD Slow Motion Video Mode to a different Recording Mode, [REC FORMAT] will not be reset to [4K MP4]. Hope this helps! -C

Q: 9. This camera advertises that it can stream to USTREAM, but is it possible to stream to Youtube as well?

A: This camcorder works only with USTREAM.

Q: 10. Does this camcorder provide HDMI out while recording and if so, is it a Clean HDMI out? There are conflicting answers listed

A: Yes, the Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder will provide a clean HDMI out.