Panasonic HC-V550: Refined mid-range camcorder

In the camcorder, a 1 / 5.8 inch BSI sensor with 2.51 megapixels works, whereby the effective pixel number was reduced from 2.25 megapixels to 2.20 megapixels. The image stabilizer is an optical 5-axis hybrid O.I.S + to the set-up


Price and availability


The so-called level-shot function, in which the camcorder automatically detects the horizontal tilt and straightening, is improved on the HC-V550. Photos makes the camcorder interpolated with 10 megapixels. A three-inch touch-screen with a resolution of 430,000 pixels is used for image control.


The wide angle is 28 millimeters, with a 50x optical zoom. Intelligent zooms the camcorder but now 90x instead of 80x as the V520. The V550, like its predecessor, can be stored directly on an external hard drive via USB.


WLAN was already the V520, the HC-V550 but the NFC communication should work faster, as well as the connection to the remote control, Ustream and the house monitoring have been improved.


New is the baby monitor mode, as well as the option to remote control an optional camera head. This works directly with the camcorder or over the Panasonic Image App and lets the head tilt +/- 15 degrees and +/- 180 degrees.


This will work with the Auto-Tracking mode. The V550 also tracks people and objects automatically by means of facial recognition and movement sensors, and is intended to be able to film almost automatically.


What is striking is that Panasonic has reduced the weight from 229 grams to 185 grams but a good deal, at the same measure of 5.3 x 6.1 x 11.6 centimeters.


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As of March 2017, the HC-V550 from Panasonic will be available in black and white at a price of 399 euros. As an HC-V550CT it is available with the motor swivel head for 499 euros.