Panasonic HC-W850: Prosumer camcorder and ready for Selfie
Panasonic HC-W850 is a camera for everyone who makes the versatility his strong point. Equipped with WiFi connectivity, NFC, remote management with the smartphone and the possibility of resuming with infrared, is equipped with an extra lens adjustable, and can also be used for Selfie. Our findings after a long period of testing.
This is nothing new to the market (this cam was presented at the beginning of 2014 and entry into the mainstream in late summer), but we’ll talk after a long and rigorous field testing.
Panasonic HC-W850 is the Full-HD camcorder proposed by Japanese vendor for the most demanding video enthusiasts, complete with WiFi connectivity, NFC support for the immediate connection of smartphones and tablets, and a system TwinCamera embedded in the display so you can own video-film while turning clips.
The display down, to the sides, a rectangle appears picture-in-picture with the image of who runs the video. And the fruit of the shooting of a miniature camera, swivel, which is activated simply by turning the barrel that the sense of unity in the display. The end result will be the main video with embedded video of the miniature camera. Everything already mounted in a single file and then just as it is ready for use and sharing.
Panasonic HC-W850‘s strengths are 50x zoom lens consists of four lens groups, as on professional camcorders, but maintaining the necessary compactness. And some very practical adaptation to the use of the end user, such as the baby monitor function (as well as monitoring of the house), via smartphone or tablet.
The main vocation of this camcorder is its ability to adapt to any shooting situation, so it can be controlled remotely from your smartphone and can be placed on a rotating base manageable remotely, and for those on the ground will also be interesting the ability to immediately send their videos on the Internet, or even be able to video-film in the dark, using infrared, this feature also important in a household surveillance.
The camera is the most compact and light in absolute on the market, even if they are privileged, for this purpose, the plastics lightweight. Panasonic HC-W850 weighs just 360 grams (73mm height 139 of depth and 65 mm width).
Panasonic HC-W850 records on a single SD card, resumes with a BSI sensor MOS 1 / 2.3 to 12.76 MP, in 16: 9 ratio, the secondary is 5.27 MP type 1/4. The main objective with f1.8 aperture and F3.6 (tele) has impressed for the brightness of the scene. The secondary objective is a fixed lens with f2.2 aperture. Just enough except that unfortunately you cannot steer if not horizontal. The best news comes instead from the audio industry, with the ability to capture in Dolby 5.1 Surround and use, integrated, zoom mode of the built-in microphone.
We tested Panasonic HC-W850 also at fairs and exhibitions, with excellent results. They are supported by both external microphone’s owners to be fixed by Shoe Adaptor integrated, is any type of microphone, also not powered.
The display type is touchscreen, from here you adjust all settings, the interaction zone is positioned on the left side of the display; confess that with big fingers in some cases, we did a little hard work in the management of the various sliding screens.
As for the overall usability strengths are: the headphone jack well away from the jacks Mic and A/V to avoid unnecessary inconvenience, only 4 buttons to manage photos/video, WiFi connectivity, power, Level Shot, button for capturing photos dedicated. We believe it is an advantage not to be underestimated the ability to recharge the camera simply power adapter with USB socket. You can use universal chargers – including those supplied with your smartphone, so without having to carry around additional equipment.
Regarded as the camera more than proven and reliable, Panasonic HC-W850 is available for purchase online at a price of around $700 – $800 depending on the model. We think it is a proposal with an excellent quality / price ratio.
In the box you will find – in addition to the camera – the charger with USB cable, the sled, the cable MicroHDMI, Hdmi for immediate connection between the camera and the TV, the software and the manual for starting the use, that is not the manual full, you download online and which we strongly recommend the use to appreciate all the possibilities of use.
Our Opinion
Our opinion is with praise regarding the versatility and value for money overall. More than good quality of recovery, good overall usability. We think it is possible to improve the management software via touchscreen.
- Overall
