Panasonic HDC-DX1 First Impressions Camcorder Reviewby Guy BrunerPublished on Jan 17, 2007 7:00 AM
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Picture & Manual ControlAutomatic Control
Panasonic is well known for fully automatic control over exposure and focus, and the HDC-DX1 is no exception. The automatic functions operated smoothly and accurately in the shooting conditions offered in the Panasonic display booth.
Overall Manual Control
Iris, gain, shutter, and white balance may all be controlled manually on the HDC-DX1. This range of manual control is a Panasonic hallmark. The joystick is used to select and adjust a parameter manually using the menu. Icons representing the parameter being adjusted and direction arrows are displayed on the LCD screen to aid adjustment. The user positions the joystick appropriately to change the parameter.
Iris, gain, shutter, and white balance may all be controlled manually on the HDC-DX1. This range of manual control is a Panasonic hallmark. The joystick is used to select and adjust a parameter manually using the menu. Icons representing the parameter being adjusted and direction arrows are displayed on the LCD screen to aid adjustment. The user positions the joystick appropriately to change the parameter.
Zoom
Like the HDC-SD1, the HDC-DX1 has a 12x optical zoom. I was able to achieve a very slow crawling zoom using the new, improved zoom toggle. In addition to the optical zoom, digital enlargement of the image may be selected (digital zoom). There are two digital zoom ranges of up to 30x or up to 120x.
Like the HDC-SD1, the HDC-DX1 has a 12x optical zoom. I was able to achieve a very slow crawling zoom using the new, improved zoom toggle. In addition to the optical zoom, digital enlargement of the image may be selected (digital zoom). There are two digital zoom ranges of up to 30x or up to 120x.
HDC-DX1 implements Panasonic’s automatic focus control well. Manual focus is also available. In manual focus, the user may opt to use manual focus assist. A small window in the middle of the LCD screen opens and zooms in on the image to show the focus area in more detail (click here to see this feature in action). I found it was better than using the LCD or EVF alone.
Exposure & Aperture
The HDC-DX1 has an automatic exposure range from F1.8 to F16. Automatic exposure controls operated quite well in the Panasonic booth’s lighting conditions.
The HDC-DX1 has an automatic exposure range from F1.8 to F16. Automatic exposure controls operated quite well in the Panasonic booth’s lighting conditions.
Shutter Speed
In video mode, the HDC-DX1 uses a default 1/60 shutter speed. The shutter can be adjusted in video mode from 1/60 to 1/8000 in a wide range of increments. In still photo mode, shutter can be set between 1/60 and 1/8000. In progressive photo shot mode, the range shifts from 1/60 to 1/500.
In video mode, the HDC-DX1 uses a default 1/60 shutter speed. The shutter can be adjusted in video mode from 1/60 to 1/8000 in a wide range of increments. In still photo mode, shutter can be set between 1/60 and 1/8000. In progressive photo shot mode, the range shifts from 1/60 to 1/500.
White Balance
The automatic white balance control on the Panasonic HDC-DX1 appeared to function well enough in the unnaturally ideal lighting conditions of the booth (featuring a perfectly-lit beach scene with attractive, live models). Manual control over white balance is available via the menus. Automatic settings include outdoor and indoor options – hardly a plethora.
The automatic white balance control on the Panasonic HDC-DX1 appeared to function well enough in the unnaturally ideal lighting conditions of the booth (featuring a perfectly-lit beach scene with attractive, live models). Manual control over white balance is available via the menus. Automatic settings include outdoor and indoor options – hardly a plethora.
Gain
When the iris reaches its maximum aperture of F1.8, and the picture is still not exposed brightly enough, gain (electronic amplification of the image brightness) can be employed. up to 18 dB (three f-stops) in 3dB increments. Gain will be activated automatically unless it is overridden.
When the iris reaches its maximum aperture of F1.8, and the picture is still not exposed brightly enough, gain (electronic amplification of the image brightness) can be employed. up to 18 dB (three f-stops) in 3dB increments. Gain will be activated automatically unless it is overridden.
Other Manual Controls
The HDC-DX1 does not have any additional manual controls.
The HDC-DX1 does not have any additional manual controls.