Panasonic XC-920 Pricing

[Walt Stagner]

From B&H posted 1/9/13:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910265-REG/panasonic_hc_x920k_hc_x920_3mos_ultrafine_full.html
Good luck, Panasonic at this price.

[Bill Bruner]

They'll probably sell more than Sony will sell of the $1599 HDR-PJ790V :)

[Walt Stagner]

Ha, Ha....color me sprised if the BH price isn't $999 when shipped.
Even at that price there isn't enough there, there. It makes the current models (and the tm700, tm900) look like steals!

3d is D.O.A.

[Duane Steiner]

I think the X900 was around $1199 or so when it came out and saw it as low a $599 during Black Friday. I hope by the end of this year the XC-920 might get down that low at which it will be a great buy.

[Andy Wilkinson]

And the TM900 the year before that started out about $1,100 (from memory) and ended up pretty cheap when it was superceded.

As always, for those that don't need (or yearn for) the latest tech there are some amazing bargins to be had on what are still very capable "last year's model" cameras.

However, if low light performance is something you need, I'd definitely wait for trusted/critical reviews of the XC-920 to see if Panny's claims stack up before deciding.

[Eric Olson]

Originally Posted by Walt Stagner

From B&H posted 1/9/13:

Panasonic HC-X920 3MOS Ultrafine Full HD Camcorder HC-X920K B&H

Good luck, Panasonic at this price.

LOL, the add also says

Three 1/2" 3MOS Sensors with BSI

So, if that were true, then 1198.00 would be a great price. On the other hand probably both number are subject to revision pretty soon.

[Walt Stagner]

You are correct.
Try this link:
http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/hd/x920/

[Eric Olson]

Originally Posted by Walt Stagner

You are correct.
Try this link:
HC-X920/HC-X920M/HC-X910 | HD Camcorder | Panasonic Global

My calculations are below:

              Actual       35mm Equivalent   Advertized      Actual
            Focal Length     Focal Length    Sensor Size   Sensor Size

HD-X900M    2.84-34.1         29.8-357.7       1/4.1"    3.43mm x 2.29mm
HC-X920M    2.84-34.1         33.1-397.1       1/2.3"    3.09mm x 2.06mm

The sensor is actually 10% smaller in the X920. This is important to know when calculating depth of field and aperture diffraction limits.

[Paulo Teixeira]

According to these specs, the 35mm equivalent for the X920 is 29.8 - 399.2 mm.
http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/h...fications.html
While for the X900, it's 29.8 - 368.8 mm
http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/h...fications.html

The specs for the "Motion Image" is what should be used, not the specs for the 3:2 still image although the specs for the 16:9 image is obviously the same as the Motion Image.

[Eric Olson]

Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira

According to these specs, the 35mm equivalent for the X920 is 29.8 - 399.2 mm.
HC-X920/HC-X920M/HC-X910 | HD Camcorder | Panasonic Global
While for the X900, it's 29.8 - 368.8 mm
HC-X900/HC-X900M/HC-X800 | HD Camcorder | Panasonic Global

I would have used those numbers, except that 399.2 divided by 29.9 would then imply the X920 has a 13.4x zoom and 368.8 divided by 29.8 would imply the X900 has a 12.4x zoom. However it is known both cameras actually have a 12x zoom. Therefore, I used the 35mm equivalent focal lengths for 2:3 still images which were at least consistent with the zoom range of the lens. Since a standard 35mm frame is 36mm x 24mm, then 35mm equivalence makes the most sense for 2:3 still images anyway.

[Paulo Teixeira]

Panasonic do claim 12x for both cameras though.

[Steve Struthers]

Originally Posted by Eric Olson

My calculations are below:

              Actual       35mm Equivalent   Advertized      Actual
            Focal Length     Focal Length    Sensor Size   Sensor Size

HD-X900M    2.84-34.1         29.8-357.7       1/4.1"    3.43mm x 2.29mm
HC-X920M    2.84-34.1         33.1-397.1       1/2.3"    3.09mm x 2.06mm

The sensor is actually 10% smaller in the X920. This is important to know when calculating depth of field and aperture diffraction limits.

I think the size difference is because Panasonic are using the same sensor block that goes into the AG-AC90, which has Back Side Illuminated (BSI) imaging chips.