Got asked about the 4K offering by Panasonic. The HC-VX981 to be specific...but I have zero clue on em. Anyone here dabble in Panasonics, and have thoughts? He said he cannot locate whether LANC capable or not, I didn't have time or knowledge to try and get him answers at the time anyone here?
I have the HC-X1 so I can’t comment on that model, but I LOVE my Panasonic. I use a Lanc controller on mine, but it can’t utilize all the features Sony users can. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't believe the HC-VX981 supports any sort of remote/LANC control. It's a consumer level camera so that's typically one of the first features you find missing.
Yeah, the AX100 supports a LANC. You need to run through a couple adapters to make it happen since Sony is the king of proprietary interfaces, but it works.
One caveat to the AX-100. It will work with LANC as JZ said, but it will only allow you to use the zoom, on/off, and record functions. You can't run the manual focus option from the LANC which can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Example.........your filming a deer, it walks into an area where there is brush halfway between you and the animal, camera auto focus dials in on the brush vs. deer........if your bow is in your hand you gotta hang it up before you can hit the manual focus button and dial to get refocused. I really wish someone had an option to switch to manual and refocus 100% from the LANC.
I have the same issue with mine, it needs a “smart manual” option. I can use my focus rings when it’s on auto focus but not with the LANC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The XA100 and the PXW-X70 has what Sony calls a "multiport" which is basically a Micro USB. Sony makes a very basic remote that runs on the micro USB. If you want to use a LANC, you need 2 adapter cables to make them work. The good news is that Sony has wised up and has a LANC port in addition to the multiport on the new PXW-Z90, HXR-NX80 and the FDX-AX700.
I'm curious if the auto-focus on the AX700 is any better than my AX100. At close range filming interviews it's abysmal and requires manual focus 100% of the time. I'd be more than willing to upgrade to the 700 if I knew for sure that issue was fixed. I do like the idea of not needing a bunch of adapters taped onto my LANC controller.
I've watched some Youtube videos about all 3 of the new Sony cameras and the answer seems to be yes, the autofocus is much better. This is a kinda weird review video, but he does demonstrate the autofocus ability and it seems to work pretty good. It would be nice to see it work in an environment similar to a hunting situation, but it does seem to lock on and doesn't hunt when the cars go by.
Caleb, you have the UX180 also correct? I haven't filmed anything with my camera since my elk hunt but I'm pretty sure I found a work around for the manual focus with the panasonic lanc. I'll try to remember what I did and let you know. Good thing the autofocus in incredible. Manual focus is exactly why I dumped the AX100.
