Question about "switching" from servo zoom to full manual zoom (using fingers only on the zoom ring) on the HC-X1 (or AG-UX180) with no clear, immediate answers available.

After a ton of research, it looks like there is no "zoom switch" like on the DVX200 (or the HVX200 which I own) to toggle back and forth - is this camera simply always in "servo" mode?

Specs indicate "3 manual rings" on the the lens and I've seen a guy work the manual zoom on YouTube: Panasonic HC-X1 Video Camera Zoom Review, Tutorial & Examples - YouTube

When you work the manual zoom ring, is there resistance on the ring? Can you "pop zoom" manually with your fingers on the zoom ring - going from full 20x zoomed in to full wide (and vice-versa) in a split second?

Interested in purchasing the HC-X1 (or the AG-UX-180) and would love the 20x optical zoom for shooting junior ice hockey close ups...but, lack of a "true" manual zoom ring would be a deal-breaker for me.

Any info from HC-X1 (or AG-UX-180) users is appreciated.

Paul Zimmerman

It does not have a mechanical servo release like the DVX100, HMC150, HPX170, HVX200, DVX200 where you can do an instant crash zoom. However, it does have a fantastic variable zoom and can be set to fast allowing you to do very fast but still variable zooms. I love the zoom. Whether you want to feather in/out or just zoom fast, you can do it.
And in HD mode, it uses the extra resolution to give you even great than 20X zoom range