If you are on the hunt for a great camcorder within your budget, then we’ve got the perfect solution. The Panasonic HC-V770 is an excellent choice that won’t break the bank. It has become a highly sought-after camcorder in recent years, and this review will help you decide on your purchase.
We will highlight the features it offers and whether or not it is a good fit for you. Read on to find out if it has met expectations!
About Panasonic HC-V770
Panasonic Corporation is a multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Osaka, Japan. It was founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita and started as a small company producing electrical sockets. The company quickly expanded its product line to include other household electronics such as irons, refrigerators, and televisions.
Panasonic became known in the 1980s and 1990s for its high-quality consumer electronics products, such as VCRs and CD players. In recent years, it has continued to innovate with new products like digital cameras and home theater systems.
One of Panasonic’s latest innovations is the HC-V770K camcorder, released in 2016. It is Panasonic’s popular HD camcorder due to its reasonable price point and many features. Even though 4K products now dominate the market, this HD camcorder still has much to offer users.
Overall, Panasonic has a long history of producing innovative consumer electronics products. The release of the HC-V770K continues this tradition by providing consumers with an advanced camcorder that delivers high-quality video footage with ease of use.
Key Features
- Record Full HD Video and 24MP Stills
- 1/2.3″ Back-Illuminated MOS Sensor
- 20x Optical Zoom / 50x Intelligent Zoom
- HYBRID OIS 5-Axis Image Stabilization
- 1080p Slow Motion Video up to120 fps
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) Video Recording
- Compatible with Remote Pan Tilt Cradle (optional)
- Back Side Illumination Sensor with 6.03M effective pixels
- Remote Shooting/View: The Panasonic Image App lets you use a smartphone or tablet as a real-time remote
- Twin Camera with Wi-Fi and NFC Connectivity
Build Quality & Design
The Panasonic HC-V770 is a great camcorder, boasting dimensions of 5.47 x 2.56 x 2.87 inches and weighing just 7.8 lbs – making it an ideal travel companion in a pocket-size package. Its ergonomically designed body offers comfortable grips for effortless handheld shooting, allowing you to capture moments without hassle or mess.
The plastic expansion on the outer side of this camcorder’s LCD panel allows for a comfortable two-handed operation, making it simpler. It does not come with a secondary camcorder.
The Panasonic HC-V770 is instantly recognizable for its prominent microphone and the zoom rocker, and the dedicated still photo button on top. On the left side of the device lies a camera function wheel that can access certain operational aspects of the camcorder.
However, the camera does not have an accessory shoe directly on the body, however, it comes with an adapter that can be used to provide this function when necessary. The adapter slots into the rear of the camera for easy access. Moreover, you can connect the Camcorder to my MacBook Pro via a video capture card to the HDMI port. Plus, the Baby Monitor is designed to enable users to set up their camcorder one time, and will even send a notification to a smartphone when it detects a baby’s cry.
Image Quality
The Panasonic HC-V770 delivers excellent photo quality for a camcorder in this price range. It features a 20.4-megapixel sensor that captures detailed still images with vibrant colors and sharp details.
It produces high-quality, well-balanced, colorful images, even in low-light conditions. The HC-V770’s 5-axis Hybrid optical image stabilization system ensures that your shots remain steady and blur-free. At the same time, its fast autofocus system makes it easy to capture spontaneous moments as they unfold.
Another impressive aspect of this camcorder’s photo capabilities is its versatile zoom lens. Whether you’re shooting landscapes or close-up portraits, the 20x optical zoom lets you get up close and personal with your subject without sacrificing image quality.
But take note, the camcorder does not feature a lens ring, which would have been advantageous for achieving focus. Instead, manual settings must be employed.
Video Quality
The footage truly showcases the Full HD resolution that the HC-V770 prides itself on. It has an impressive 1080p Full HD video resolution at 60 frames per second (fps). You can record videos in MP4 mode with 720p and 24fps without any drop in quality. Plus, you can shoot a smooth slow-motion video at 100fps to add more creative elements to your footage with a simple touch on the LCD screen.
The shutter speed of the camera can range from 1/50 up to an impressive 1/8000, while you can also independently adjust the iris and obtain a video gain of 18dB. There is even an intelligent auto mode with various special effects such as time-lapse, miniature video effects, silent movie, 8mm movie recording etc. for further visual adjustments.
Furthermore, the Panasonic HC-V770 is equipped with a four-drive lens, which enables you to capture high-quality footage. Plus, its advanced image stabilization system makes it perfect for capturing action-packed moments like sports events or wildlife scenes.
Its high-resolution capabilities and advanced image stabilization technology make it ideal for videography enthusiasts looking for top-notch recording capabilities without breaking the bank.
Sound Quality
The HC-V770 offers a unique microphone system with a multi-microphone array at the front that can capture 5.1 surround sound. Furthermore, there are two mini-jacks on the camcorder. One underneath the LCD panel enables you to use external mics or wireless microphones. And another by the lens for headphone connectivity to monitor audio quality and levels. These features allow users to record clear and detailed audio in various recording settings.
Furthermore, a unique damping material is incorporated in the area between the microphone and the microphone net of the Wind Shield Zoom Microphone. This mitigates wind noise, ensuring consistently clear audio recording.
We already mentioned that its 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilizer minimizes camera shake during recordings. Thus resulting in smoother video footage and equally clear audio as well.
Specifications |
Basic InfoProduct Name: HC-V770 HD Camcorder Product Brand: Panasonic Camera Type: Camcorder |
SensorSensor Type: MOS BSI Optical Sensor Size: 1 in Megapixels:
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Optics & FocusFocal Length: 27.5 – 752 Maximum Aperture: f/1.8 to 3.6 Zoom
Filter Size: 1.93 in Focus Adjustment: Auto/Manual |
RecordingSystem: NTSC Media/Memory Card Slot: Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC Video
Photography PicturesMinimum Lux Rating (Lux): 1lx Image Stabilisation: HYBRID O.I.S.+ with Active Mode, O.I.S. Lock, Level Shot Function Camera Shutter speed: 1.0s Maximum Image Resolution: 6528 x 3672 px White Balance Modes: Sunny/Auto/Cloudy Supported Image: JPG |
Audio FeaturesBuilt-In Mic: Yes Built-In Speaker: Yes On-board Microphone: 5.1 surround Audio System: Doly Digital 2.0/5.1 Supported Audio Formats: AAC/MP4 |
ConnectivityHDMI: Mini USB 2.0: Yes Audio / Video Out: Yes Audio / Video In: No External Microphone: Yes Wireless: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
PowerBattery
Charging Method:
Power Consumption
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DimensionsWeight: 12.5 oz. Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.6 x 2.9 in. Color: Black |
Final Verdict On Panasonic HC-V770
PROS | CONS |
Good value for money | Not 4k camera |
Offers extensive manual control with a dial | No external microphone input |
Features Wi-Fi connectivity | The touchscreen interface may not be user-friendly |
Excellent image stabilization system | No lens ring |
Comes with a variety of advanced features to enhance quality of pictures and videos | No headphone jack available for monitoring sound levels while recording |
Variety of video modes and effects to choose from | |
Simple functioning | |
Overall, the Panasonic HC-V770 is a great choice for intermediate users who want to capture HD videos and images with excellent image quality. It may not have all of the features that are available in higher-end 4K camcorders, but it’s still capable of recording high-quality footage and will provide you with an affordable way to create lasting memories.