Combining Ultra HD 4K video recording with in-camera 4K cropping and editing tools, the Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Camcorderoffers simple yet powerful operation to enable users of all levels to capture high-quality UHD 4K and Full HD video. The camcorder is packed with advanced features including an HDR Movie Mode to retain more highlight and shadow information, and a Wireless Multicamera function that lets you add and record up to two picture-in-picture video feeds from mobile devices connected via Wi-Fi. This gives you the ability to capture multiple angles and viewpoints simultaneously for a unique video experience.

The camcorder features a 1/2.3" backside-illuminated (BSI) MOS sensor with an 8.29MP effective resolution that combines with a Crystal Engine 4K image processor to support UHD 4K video at 24/30 fps and 1080p video up to 60 fps. The camera is also able to take up to 25.9MP interpolated still images, and offers the ability to extract still photos directly from your 4K video frames using the 4K Photo Mode. It also adds 4K editing tools that allow you to perform in-camera cropping, zooming, panning, tracking, and stabilizing to your 4K footage. The edited video is saved in 1080p resolution.

Optically, the camcorder utilizes a Leica Dicomar lens that provides a 20x optical zoom range and a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 30.8mm at the wide end. Intelligent zoom boosts that range up to 40x for Full HD and 25x for 4K recording. To keep excessive image vibration to a minimum, for steadier handheld shooting, the HC-VX981K features Panasonic's HYBRID O.I.S.+ which combines optical and digital image stabilization to provide 5-axis correction. It can then be combined with Panasonic's Level Shot function to produce clearer, level, and more stable-looking handheld footage.

The camcorder's built-in Wi-Fi supports the Wireless Multicamera feature, along with other functionality through the Panasonic Image App. These functions include remote camera control, live image monitoring, and file uploading directly to social media sites. Once connected to your smartphone, you can even live stream video using USTREAM to share moments and events with your friends and family as they are being recorded. Additionally, there's a Baby Monitor function that lets you use your smartphone to quickly check in on a sleeping baby in another room when both the camcorder and mobile device are connected to the same home network.

Ultra HD 4K Video at 24/30 fps    1/2.3" BSI MOS Sensor    20x Leica Dicomar Optical Zoom Lens    Wireless Multicamera Support    5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ and Level Shot    3" Touchscreen LCD    In-Camera 4K Cropping and Editing    Capture Stills from 4K Video Frames    HDR Movie Mode

Wireless Multicamera enables picture-in-picture recording using Wi-Fi-connected mobile devices. You can connect up to three mobile devices at a time and use two of them to record picture-in-picture images. This makes it easy and fun to capture multiple angles and viewpoints at once.

Built-in editing tools allow you to crop your 4K video and add effects such as zooming, panning, tracking, and stabilizing. The edited videos are saved at 1080p resolution.

Pause and extract 4K (8.29MP) still images from 4K video frames using the 4K Photo Mode.

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 backlit.

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

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.

In addition to Wireless Multicamera, the camera is also able to take advantage of remote control and image sharing from a smartphone or tablet using Panasonic's mobile app. Once connected to your smartphone, you can even live stream video using USTREAM to share moments and events with your friends and family as they are being recorded.

Built-in Wi-Fi also enables you to take advantage of the Baby Monitor feature, which lets you use your smartphone to quickly check in on a sleeping baby in another room when both the camcorder and mobile device are connected to the same home network. You also can speak to your baby via your smartphone or have a notification sent to you when the camera detects that your baby is crying.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does is have a setting to control the aperture and shutter manually?

A: Yes it does, you can manually control the shutter and iris/gain with this camcorder.

Q: 2. Specs say 1 hr per charge but is that right? One hour continuous operation per charge?

A: I am getting 3 hrs with a full charge

Q: 3. What is the zoom quality?

A: The zoom operation is useful for recording subjects you cannot get close to, but overuse of zoom in and zoom out can make the resulting motion picture less enjoyable to watch.

Q: 4. Does this camera has headphone out for monitoring? Line out over AV out will not do the job....Canon camcorders have that option.

A: This camcorder offers a 1/8 mini stereo headphone output port.

Q: 5. Hi I have read some reviews on this camcorder shutting off while using, I want to purchase a camcorder that I will not have to replace in a year or two. Do you know of any issue with this camcorder if this is not the best pro-consumer camcorder can you recommend a different one?

A: I don't know of any issues, but Panasonic gave me a 3 year extended warranty at no extra cost.

Q: 6. Does this camera make any noise when turning it on? For example; is there a built in lense shutter cap that "pops" open when turned on?

A: yes it does

Q: 7. multimedia recording time have pause motion function

A: Press the recording start/stop button again to pause recording.

Q: 8. When recording in 4K does this split long takes into multiple files or does it create a large file?

A: The process of recording video to consumer grade camcorder, will require video files to be broken into 4gb segments whether shooting in 4K, Full High definition or HD video.

Q: 9. Can you record via plugging in a power cord versus only having battery power? My old Sony camera allows you to charge the battery on the camera... which also provides power to the camera at the same time. thanks

A: Yes. Absolutely. I purchased it for our lawyers who present day or two day long law CLE trainers for NY lawyers to stay licensed. Each presenter does about an hour or two, so it's mandatory that we use the power adapter.Also, I'd add that I got this camera for the lawyers and support staff to have so they could record very easily without having to worry about settings. It works fantastic for that purpose. It does have manual settings, but I have it configured for them to just turn it on and record. We've presented six trainers so far and every minute has been recorded perfectly. One gripe is that the SD card slot is hard to get to without taking the camera off the tripod, but low light is good, the mic is very sensitive, it records in 4k. It's a very good camcorder for the price.

Q: 10. Could I connect 3 or 4 cameras to a blackmagic atem switcher for live multi-camera streaming?

A: Yes, just as long as it is an ATEM with HDMI inputs. This camera has a CLEAN HDMI output.