Review: Panasonic AG-UX90 4K camcorder (vs UX180 and HC-X1)
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- Опубліковано 12 лис 2016
- A review of Panasonic's AG UX90 4K-capable camcorder, the little brother to the AG-UX180.
Video includes an extensive tour and appraisal of the camcorder plus sample 4K footage, low light, zoom and OIS stabilisation tests.
(The piece to camera was filmed on a Sony AX53)
For updates, follow me on Twitter:
/ ukairscape - Наука та технологія
One of the best UA-cam reviews I have ever watched!. Great job! Great audio, honest slow talk, pauses between sentences. Very enjoyable , don't change a thing what you do.
Thank you!
Simply need to say that I love your videoes to bits! You're awesome to listen to, thank you very much. I am so glad to have stumpled onto your channel. Keep up your fantastic work mate!
Thank you :-)
Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I wasn't even aware of the HC-X1. Looks like I need to do some more research. Thanks again for taking the time to do such a thorough review. It was time well spent.
Great, thank you for that kind comment. It's much appreciated.
A VERY good chatty, but informative review! I am the happy owner of a UX-180, bought secondhand, and am watching lots of reviews and discussions of it. This is great! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. That has got to be the best camera review I seen. Very helpful.
That was very very useful even nearly 2 years later. I enjoyed your review. You're very animated when you present. It's great!
Thank you!
Thank you so much! I had paid money for the 90 but after this video I'll pay the store some more for the 180. I would have really felt terrible had I watched this video after purchasing the 90. Thank you for saving my life.
What an excellent review - many thanks! I was already theoretically "sold" on the HC-X1 but you've nicely confirmed my choice.
Thank you. Hope you enjoy the camcorder.
I REALLY REALLY love this review! Best review of this camera (as well as the HC X1, wich is pretty much the same but better). Thanks a lot for your time and your reviews, i learned and enjoyed a lot with them. Its now 2020 but i´m gonna buy a HC X1. By the way, the place wher you made this review... Love it! Nice and comfortable kitchen.
Hey Mr. Johns. I'd just like to wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your family and a Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. Happy Christmas to you too!
Thank you so much!
I was pretty much set on the UX-90.
But you really convinced me to buy the HC-X1. You’re a lifesaver!
I hope you enjoy it! Cheers
Amazingly thorough review. Really helpful. Also addressed my burning question which was should I spring for the next model and what would I get for the extra money. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this.
Thank you, glad it helped.
Thank you SO MUCH for mention the UX-180 AND the HC-X1 in this review.
As I am looking at them all and was confused about so many choices in the same price range.
oh, the HC-X1 look EXACTLY the same on the outside.
(except fo the 20x lens marking ...)
Wow - and IS part of the pro division, it appears.
and what da heck is this HC-X1000?
another choice?
argh!
oh, the HC-x1000 has a smaller imager ... for $2000.
It's an older model, not so good.
excellent review as always. Good thing you also mentioned the x1.
Thank you. I'm still staggered by the existence and pricing of the X1!
thanks for the awesome review and for bringing out the HCX1, i had no idea it existed! probably will be my next investment, thanks again!
Cheers. Yes the HCX1 looks terrific; I can't understand why Panasonic Consumer are selling it so much less than the Panasonic Pro UX180!
Thank you for your thoughtful.. calm.. well-spoken camera reviews.
Thank you
Now that is one fantastic presentation. Kudos! good job!
Thank you
Excellent review, thank you!
I LOVE this camera! Really crisp image quality.
Very well done! I recently ran into the "4K mode unwanted zoom" feature with my new Canon 5D Mark IV. This was a surprise I was not happy about. Looks like I'll save my pennies for the HC-X1. It solves the unwanted crop and the fewer frame rate options issues. Thank you for the informative review!
I was toying with buying the HC-X1 again myself a couple of days ago; really is very well featured although of course very different to shooting with a 5D or any "DSLR"-type camera. Glad you liked the review.
Great review! Thank you, just clicked buy it now on the HC-X1.
Thank you :-)
Thank you for this review.Informative and honest,as always.Every time when you post something I know it will be good Thanks for your time
Cheers Eugen, that's much appreciated.
Thanks for the interesting and clear presentation!
Thank you, glad you liked it.
the best and honest review ever. thank you
Thanks you really helped me with my purchasing decision. Thank you
Very helpful review - thanks
Great!
Great great review video. Thanks for making this.
Cheers
This video got me interested in the UX cameras when you posted it, and at the end of 2019 I purchased an open box UX180 from a place that does service and repair work for B&H Photo - $1,950. It was perfect, not a mark on it. Its a sweet camera! It seemed to me that if Panasonic ever updates the DVX200 to make it a tad lighter and more well balanced (an other image related updates) then I would consider a NEW camcorder but not much else interests me right now. Between my GH5 and the 180 all my boxes are checked off for now.
Excellent review! Thanks.
Ta
Very informative, thank you.
Great review!
Thanks
Recently ordered the UX-90....then watched your review......now changed my order to the UX180....many thanks, I think!
The UX180 is definitely a better camcorder albeit rather more expensive.
wow...you open my eyes...thanks
have the panasonic ag cx350 now very nice piece of kit
Very worthwhile review. Interesting thoughts and possible cost savings with choice of model. Thanks
:-)
Very good review, very clear. Thank you!
:-)
Thank you for this perfect review !
Glad you liked it.
what about a dead cat for the Tascam 22wl? its elasticated and should work?? Great review and still relevant in 2019.
Excellent review. I would like to know if any of these camcorders supports V-log recording.
Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia.
Love you dude you answered all my questions.
Terrific! Glad to have helped.
Hello, I correctly understood that the difference between HC-X1 and AG-UX 180 only SDI ? Thank you
Great review! Thanx.
Thank you
As usual another great review. Love your presentation and detail. The XC-1 has been on my radar. Very tempting. Do you find yourself in the market for a newer release camcorder? If so, which one?
Thanks. If I needed another cam now, I'd get an HC-X1 especially given the UK pricing.
sei fantastico!grazie per il tuo video
Please give me a idea of remote for the UX 90 remote external for zoom focus control
Good review!
Ta
Thank You! Great review and pretty much made me comfortable in buying this camera before actually physically playing with it. I have no use for 4K in tight spaces in my work for the foreseeable future so this will work out great. Thank you also for answering my confusion about the HC-X1. Unfortunately, as another viewer mentioned, it's currently $1100 more than the UX90 and only $300 less than the UX180 in the US. The view finder not being able to flip sideways will annoy me, but I do have an external 7" HDMI monitor if I really need to get away from behind it.
Maybe the UK offices got the price difference the wrong way round!
Thank you. This review is very usefull.
Glad it helped.
Nice review, I'm now looking at replacing my Sony NEX EA50 with the AG UX180 for wildlife work but I'm not a fan of the Panasonic's looks. You are obviously near to me as I am in Coventry
Love your review , so clear , have you any reviews on sonys such as the FDR AX 700 ? . If not do you know of a good review with the same clarity ? I want to buy a camcorder soon , as i have been shooting on a nikon d 750 which although pretty good images ,most of the time refuses to focus and drives me CRAZY ! Thanks E . .X
Thanks. The AX700 is the "consumer" version of the HXR-NX80 (the only difference being the NX80 has a top handle with XLR inputs) so see my review here ua-cam.com/video/lcUeDXsfGGk/v-deo.html
Is this camera suitable for live streaming sporting events, whether they are inside or out?
I was dead set on the AG UX90 until I watched this video. Now the front runner is the HC X1 (thanks by the way). But you made the comment about the HDMI SD out not being available in the X1. I'm a bit of a newbie and and not clear what that means or how it "may" limit me. FYI, my main use for this camera is for documentaries: interviews, handheld cinema verite, run and gun, yada, yada, yada.... Thanks much!
You're confusing two things; HDMI out and SDI out are two different ways of getting video out of the camcorder. As I recall (and it was a while aho I made this so best to check what I'm saying) both camcorders have HDMI out but only the UX180 has SDI out. If you don't know what SDI out is, you almost certainly don't need it - it's a pro-format BNC connection typically used for connecting to other broadcast gear eg if you were to feed a live sat truck for example, or some external recorders (though they can usually take the HDMI feed as well)
Thanks, UKAirscape. Yeah, after I wrote the comment I realized I inadvertently stated HDMI. But you definitely cleared things up re: SDI, which was my primary question. So thanks a lot!!
great video. can you make how to use manual on this video camcorder please? nobody have showing with manual yet. thanks
I do not have this camcorder anymore, it was on loan for the review only, several years ago.
Great video, Have you done a review of Panasonic's AG UX180 there are lots more the camera can do over the ag-ux90 plus it's now less than £2000
As I recall, the UX180 is virtually identical to the HC-X1 which I think I referred to in this video.
Very nice review, gave me some information I had missed, and a lot of things to think about. I looked up the HC-X1, in the US is runs around $3200, while the UX180 is about $3500, which makes much more sense considering that you said the only real difference is the SDI output.
I'm beginning to wonder if someone's made an error at Panasonic UK! Maybe I should snap one up before they realise...
That was lens flare? Thanks for clearing that up. I thought it was Wicked armpit odor
Hi ,Is this camcorder suitable for live streaming ? does it have a clean Hdmi output?
Great video, very informative even almost 4 years later. But exactly because of these 4 years, I would like to ask if the X1 is still, in your opinion, a good buy for those who want to cover events and fairs. Is there a better alternative for a similar price? I work with GH5 and GH4 in small web commercials. But I miss a typical run and gun camcorder, with good audio, practicality and quality. I would appreciate hearing your opinion. Thank you!
Of the two camcorders, the HC-X1 was and remains the better. In terms of more modern camcorders, there's been very little development recently, they seem to be out of fashion, so the UX90 and X1 are still Panasonic's offerings at that sort of price range. I like them in many ways but they're not good in dim light, bit grainy.
Excellent , kindly may you do review for Panasonic AG-HPX 250
Unfortunately I do not have access to that camcorder
Awesome Great Detail
Thanks
First of all, thank you for your wonderful videos. Very helpful. In your opinion, what is the best budget prosumer camcorder? For under $2000. Thanks
Probably the Sony AX700 at that budget
@@UKAirscape Thank you
Best review ever
Thank you!
Excellent review. In auto mode does it have face detection like in the consumer models? Is there a built-in mic?
There is a built in mic - I talked about that in the review. No face detection as far as I could see.
Hi, oh! Nicely done - saved the best to last! And, I think I've got this right, the consumer version can output H264 in an MP4 container as well as as MOV (terrible memory these days). What I don't know is if that is particularly significant. Any comment welcome! Bob
That would only be relevant if editing on a Mac which traditionally prefers mov but I think these days it's largely agnostic in that respect.
Just figured it out, thanks.
Great review! I just returned a Canon G50 thru Amazon... I got what I paid for......
These Panasonics offer so much more and the price has come down since your initial review. Which would you chose between the Sony AX700 and the Panasonic HC X1??? Thanks again for your review!!
They're very different camcorders really. The Sony will have better image quality but the Panasonic has better manual controls plus XLR audio inputs
Thanks!
Great Review.. very useful
A most excellent review with the unfortunate side affect of me now wanting to spend more, but my money tree is bare. While I've filmed lectures for a few years now I'm new to the pro level cameras so have done a couple of months online research. It'll be a big purchase for me and will be an all rounder camera. Your video is the best review of any pro camera I've seen in all that research. It was good to hear the real faults and a comparison to other models. You actually mentioned other models. I've noticed it is very hard finding a footing to start learinging the various camera models available when you don't know what actually exists! So thanks for that. If I had the money I'd absolutely get the X1 or 180 after that.
I'll probably still get the UX90 but at least now I have a better realisation of the wide angle issue. That's the only real issue that will annoy me, and yet the 1080 it produces is still miles ahead of the small sensor cameras I've been using so I can't really complain.
Thanks again.
Hi Allan. Thank you, glad you liked the video. Have fun with the camcorder :-)
He addresses my main issue with upgrading. when I was in my 30's I used the hvx200a and loved it but now I am in my 50's have shaky hands now and I hate the ax53 not because it is bad but because the BOOS stabilization is magical and has spoiled me. I cannot overstate how great it is. My shoots do not allow time to fool with external gimbals but I can afford this camera and I would love to have more control over the exposure which the ax53 lacks but I cannot give up the BOSS stabilization. It is a lot easier to adjust exposure in post if I need to which is rare then fix shaky camera shots. I shoot audio on a recorder off camera so the lack of audio features on the ax53 is not an issue. I hope Sony puts "BOSS" in a more pro camera like this one soon.
Informative video but I am struggling with maintaining focus. I'm looking for help. Is there a way to set the UX90 to track a subject and keep it in focus? I have seen advertising videos boasting that the UX series (90 and 180) do this but I can FIND NO INSTRUCTION on how to set it. I do a lot of off center interviews and a very bothered by the focus shifting to the background, I'm finding 'manual everything' is the only way to control this. I hate shifting focus, exposure and color. Is there anyway around this with tracking or focus lock?
It's a long time since I had this camcorder on loan for review so I can't help with whether it has auto tracking but I think honestly if you're doing interviews where you and the subject remain static then you're much better off using manual focus and setting it correctly by yourself anyway. Ditto exposure and white balance.
Auto is really best suited to "run and gun" situations where you literally wouldn't have time to set them youself while simultaneously chasing the shot.
Great review. Thinking of PX'ing my HC-X1000 (which I love ) for the upcoming X1.Hope you will review. Particularly whether the DOF is shallower at full aperture on the X1 compared to the X1000. Hope you might be able to test this at some point. Thanks.
Unfortunately, I won't be getting an HC-X1 to test because Panasonic's consumer division never talk to me, unlike their pro division. I might be able to wangle a UX180 which is essentially the same though.
Hi, what do you recommend between this camcorder and the Sony PXW - X70 lastest realese for 4K ? Thanks
The X70 has been superseded now by the Z90 (and its cheaper counterparts, the NX80 and AX709, both of which are very, very similar but slightly different - see my recent unboxing of the NX80). But these and the UX90 are different beats for different jobs really, the Sonys being ultra-compact and having fewer physical controls such as only one lens ring and the UX90 having more buttons that you know what to do with ;-)
Which is right for you will depend on your needs. I suspect (though I have not compared them directly) that the Sony may be better in low light but some folk love Panasonic gear. So there is no one "better" camcorder to recommend.
what is the use of usb port
It can be used to transfer content to PC,and also in reverse
seven hours of battery life is impressive indeed, thanks for another great review
Yes, I had to double check the manual but it definitely says it! (The UX180 gets only half that)
Thanks again good sir
UX90 Panasonic vs NX200 Sony Which is best sir please make video. Compare. Thanks
Hi iam use agux904k plese help to manual seting
Nice in-depth review.
Do you live on that boat?
Yes. If you're curious, see ua-cam.com/users/CruisingTheCutUK
Too many caveats IMO. Compared to the things you disliked on the Panasonic, your review of the HXR-NX100 was a perfect camcorder by comparison. BTW, I contacted B&H Photo in NYC and they have sold many of those to the point where it was constantly out of stock. In addition, the price on it has fallen to boot. Most people who bought it raved about it. The only occasional complaint was concerning the AF. Others still said the AF performed very well. I'm still saving for that one. I'll probably pull the trigger in early 2017 as I'll need enough money for all the accessories I'll require. Glad to see Panasonic loaned you one to test and review. You have a gift my friend. Well done!
Thank you! The UX90 is nice but definitely the HC-X1 or UX180 is the one to buy in most cases, I would suggest. And yes, the NX100 is a great little cam. Cheaper now, you say?!
When originally released in the U.S.A the NX100 was $1699. Now, it's a mere $1599.95 U.S. I'm in Canada and despite the exchange rate, I'd still pay more for it here as of today , as well as quite a bit more for accessories. Canadian stores cannot or will not compete with U.S superstores.
Very keen to see where the HC-X1e sits in this. It does appear to be much more than just an updated HC-X1000. I have pre ordered one so fingers crossed...
It's as described at the end of my review; essentially the same as the UX180 minus the HD-SDI output.
UKAirscape hopefully will match up with the gh4 too
Great review. My church is looking at replacing an S-Video Camcorder with the UX90. Using HDMI Extenders over Cat6 or Cat7. Your thoughts?
Not sure what you want my thoughts on exactly, sorry. It'd be a huge step up from an S-video camcorder. I've never used HDMI extenders, can't comment on those.
How to factory reset this camera???
Good review. Very informative. Will have to watch it again to absord it all. Hadn't appreciated the difference in 4K field of view between the different models (DVX200, X1, UX180 and UX90). I'm mainly after UHD at 60fps to load to UA-cam so I guess X1 or UX180 is best for me. I'm a sucker for bling though and my brand is red so would be difficult not to go for he 200 :>) Cheers Dom (Essential RC)
Yes, sounds like you need the X1 / UX180 for sure. Get some red stickers ;-)
Very good video
Thank you.
Question, physically is it the same body as the HC-X1? I found a great deal on a rain cover for the A-UX90 but I have an HC-X1 and I just want to make sure it will fit it.
Thanks.
S
Hmmm... not sure. I think the HC-X1 is the same as the UX180 but I can't swear to it.
how to reset all setting in ux90?
Great review! The low light shows very little noise even at 20db gain, much better than my GH4.. Does theAG-UX90 have a lanc input for a zoom control like a varizoom? Im not finding that info on B&H listing. thx
Hmm, a very good question but unfortunately I don't remember, sorry (I only had the unit on loan and it's long since been returned)
thx I just ordered from B&H and they tell it does have lanc control. thx
Hello, nice video, can you tell me please between panasonic ux90 and sony ax700 that offers a clearer, better video in full hd format ?
I've not compared them directly but my guess would be the Sony however the physical format of the camcorders is very different so you might need to choose based on the size and ergonomics as much as the image.
How is the auto focus? would this be a good camcorder to record lectures, sometimes with in low light situations., would auto focus find the speaker and stay on the speakers face? And how is the low light performance, if the lighting is not the best or if the speaker is back lit, or if lighting is bad?
Already answered over on Tubeshooter so won't repeat myself here! ;-)
Great review how is it compare to the 1 inch sensor model Sony AX100. In low light.
I have not tried the AX100 so I can't sensibly comment however they are very distinctly different camcorders in price and in purpose so they're not really comparable as the likely applications would be different.
I had the ax100 and found skin tone looked pastey.
well the HC-x1 is finally available and I am all ready to get one. And it is all thanks to your guidance. I am curious if you have tried to mix footage from this with a G7 or GH4 panasonic? What did you think of matching them in post?
I am gonna sell all of my canon lenses and gear to get this and either g7 or gh4 to go with it. Thanks again!
+shawn wright Steady now, don't just take my word for it! Please do check its right for you. Just because I like it doesn't mean you will :-) Quite extreme to dump your prior gear. No, I have not tried matching it to the G7 or GH4 so I can't comment on matching them, sorry.
Thank you so much! Fantastic review! You just helped me to make up my mind and stick with my Sony EX1r till Sony comes up with better solution. I totally respect Matsushita Corporation with all their developments, but ...weak zoom, blueish picture and plastic feel... Thank you, thank you thank you !!!
Glad it helped. The EX1R as a belter of a camcorder, I agree.
Thanks for the heads-up on the cameras.
I have the HC-X 1000, terrible in low light.
I am hoping to sell my HC-X1000 and my X920 (superb HD camera) to get a used HC X1.
I do also use a Sony A6300, magnificent in low light 4k, but it's not a video camera so limited to 30 minute recording.
Oh, plus battery life poor and it overheats even in our cold UK.
I hope the HC X1 is as good as the Sony A6300.
I think that might be an optimistic hope in pure low light terms not least because you can put a faster lens on the Sony and (I think, from memory) it has a bigger sensor. Also, I've generally found Sony stuff to be very good in low light, with clever noise reduction when you add gain. But the X1 should be better than the older model I think.
wow, thank you kind sir for your educated reply.
I think I have been getting excited for nothing by the sound of it.
The HC-X1 is now retailing for about £2100 (on-line) they were £2600 ish, I was very disappointed with the low light performance of the X1000 and this was made worse by the release of the X1 within 6 months of me buying the X1000.
The Alpha 6300 is just magic in low light, i.e. weddings in medieval churches, wedding receptions, first dance etc but they A/ Overheat, B/ record for 30 minutes which is no good for a traditional English wedding and C/ the batteries last about 40 minutes.
Finally, may I ask what model Sony video camera I should maybe consider? is that maybe the 700 ? i forget the letters.
Incidentally, my trusty HC-X920 HD camera performed very well in low light.
Thank you very much indeed.
Sony don't have a great deal of stuff at a similar price point to the Panny as I recall. I've just bought an NX80 which is "decent" in dim light but probably still not a patch on a DSLR-type camera. It's also a little ergonomically challenged due to having only a single lens ring. Maybe the Z150 might be up your street? Bear in mind these camcorders won't give you that super shallow depth of field for "pretty" pictures like the A6300 will either.
Thank you again for your recommendations.
I actually found A Sony Z100 on ebay, no used Z150's at the mo.
I may just bite the bullet and like you say, the Panasonic HC-X1 has to be better than the X1000.
I lost out on this camera the other day, I'm pretty sure they were over £4000 new, didn't realise they are micro 4/3rds sensor
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-AG-DVX200-4K-Professional-Camcorder/253584463863?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
I would have like to see you compare this to the DVX 200 or the HPX 270.
I don't have either of those cameras so could not so such a comparison, sorry.
me too!
So nice you mentioned Sony BOSS stabiliser system (AX53, I suppose) as the holy grail of camcorder stabiliser and that for a consumer camera. What are your thoughts on missing IQ but having BOSS vs a Pro camcorder, without this feature? Again, purely on IQ, not the features that pro camera's have over this consumer camcorder. BTW nice review, easy to watch to the very end. Cheers, Jan
I think this kind of thing always comes down to what you need the camera for. If you need a compact camera that you can use handheld in a confined space (for example) then regardless of whether you think the image quality is or isn't as good as another camera, it may be that the compact camera is nonetheless the best one for that particular job. So you've always got to weigh up why you want one thing over another in the context of its use.
For example, I shot a paid job where I had to get in the - very cramped! - cab of a mechanical digger alongside the chap who was operating it. It was a very small space, I needed to fire off several shots and the machine was *really* bouncy as it moved. For that the AX53 was absolutely the right choice.
UKAirscape. I agree, but they can make a bit more pro version of the AX53 (less bling, real evf, maybe a bit more rugged). Just keeping the size and the BOSS, a lot of journalists would have this with them at all times, I guess. Cheers!
Very good cemra
Is there an HDMI out ?
I used UX90 is only needed if form factor is matter, it same camera like cheaper DMC-FZ2500, and some cheap cameras or new smartphones has same or better quality.
Excellent review, and your explanations were really helpful to a chap like me, who makes films for amateur creativity only. I was looking at the UX180 to replace my old Sony Z5, but with HC-X1 running at about £900 less, I would like to ask what the lack of SDI output and Timecode functions will mean to someone like me, who rarely films something with another cam at the same time.
Kind regards, Billy
It will mean pretty much nothing! If you're not syncing to another cam or trying to record HD via SDI to another device then it's irrelevant.
The HC-X1 comes with sensor next to the viewfinder that turns off the pullout screen when is senses the person wanting to look through the viewfinder. It had me thinking i had a bad unit as i was sitting in my truck. my shoulder kept tripping the sensor
and pullout screen kept shutting off. there is also a switch to turn off the sensor (nice)! I think Panasonic was listening. Cheers!
I hate it when they do that! Glad you could turn it off.
Thanks for the video! One question, Panasonic AG-UX180 or HC-X1 for professional use. Why is AG-UX180 more expensive than Hc-X1? Is it so different?
Not very much; as I recall it has HD-SDI outputs on it and timecode but that's about it (from memory). They're otherwise almost identical.
180 have WFM. 90 - histogram