Does this camcorder have any white balance issues? I have owned 3 different Panasonic camcorders. All had weird white balance shifts while recording.
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I have noticed the color balance sometimes shifts in unnatural lighting conditions, i.e. when I was filming in a room with outdoor light coming through the windows mixed with fluorescent lighting. But the solution was to switch off the auto-white balance and set it manually; then it worked fine. But in other situations, with one consistent type of lighting, I didn't experience that shift. But yes, it does shift during recording in certain situations when set on auto.
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I actually returned this paticular camera. Its possible I recieved a defective model but in my experience it was an over priced piece of garbage. I only went with it because it seemed an upgrade over my older panasonic which I loved. White balance was bad but mostly it was the focus. No matter what I did it seemed anything that moved very fast across the view tended to blur and streak no matter how I changed the settings.
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The answer by Dagmar Miura is mostly correct and the exact issues I experience with this camera. Setting white balance to manual doesnt solve "all" the problems of white balance and color shifting but helps considerably. There is still some color shifting when panning through rooms with mixed lighting conditions that I cant seem to avoid. Its not enough for me to call this camera junk because I use it often and have owned it for a year but it is somewhat irritating.
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My white camera has a smooth finish, not the sort you're describing. But mine also had the dreaded lens error problem a year and a half later.
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There is a white balance adjustment. I do love this phone, but the camera on it isn't that great. This phone is all about durability and basic function.
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I'm wondering if you just have a bad unit. Can you explain a bit more how the video and images are poor? As with your other problems:- your HDMI problem may be a cable problem. Try another cable.- Is your TV 1080p? Typically, the video device detects what the TV can handle and switches it automatically.- Check if your camcorder has a setting to lower wind noise. It is quite common to have wind noise unless you use a special mic (those furry kind that muffles wind noise, seen here:Canon 2591B002 DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone for HF/HG Series Camcorders I'm wondering if you just have a bad unit. Can you explain a bit more how the video and images are poor? As with your other problems:- your HDMI problem may be a cable problem. Try another cable.- Is your TV 1080p? Typically, the video device detects what the TV can handle and switches it automatically.- Check if your camcorder has a setting to lower wind noise. It is quite common to have wind noise unless you use a special mic (those furry kind that muffles wind noise, seen here:Canon 2591B002 DM-100... » Read More I'm wondering if you just have a bad unit. Can you explain a bit more how the video and images are poor? As with your other problems:- your HDMI problem may be a cable problem. Try another cable.- Is your TV 1080p? Typically, the video device detects what the TV can handle and switches it automatically.- Check if your camcorder has a setting to lower wind noise. It is quite common to have wind noise unless you use a special mic (those furry kind that muffles wind noise, seen here:Canon 2591B002 DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone for HF/HG Series Camcorders « Show Less
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I purchased a new Panasonic recorder (with electric cord) after I had inadvertently thrown my old Panasonic away. The newer model is very similar to my older model and it records very well with no internal noises that I recall. Try it.
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No issues with mine. Very good video and sound. Rarely use my nice digital camcorder anymore.
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I have not seen this issue with my camera. I have experimented with all of the various video settings and could not create this. Make sure you have enough lighting.
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Hi John, Yes, you may turn off Optical Steady Shot/ Image Stabilization on your camcorder. Vincent
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UPDATE . . . the teal colorization caused by the on-board light is starting to annoy me. Yes, I still love the camera in daylight. Beautiful pictures sound and color saturation. Image stabalization and zoom are wonderful. However, when that blasted light comes on, it causes the subject to look smurfy. A blueish hue. Panasonic needs to fix that. Why it got past their technical staff is beyond me.
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Yes, it does! You can select custom white balance and then set the center part of the viewfinder on a white board to set the balance.
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I got camera from Amazon yesterday. I've done lots of playing with it. You can change white balance and even set it to a custom level.Auto-stitching of panoramas is quite nifty.Zoom motor very noisy during movies.Battery life is only fair and re-charging seems a bit slow.Pretty impressive stills in full sun. I bought Sony to replace Panasonic DMC-ZS3 that died and Panasonic service department has not satisfied me.
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I bought four of the same type. Not sure that it really matters much if you are setting the white balance of your camera before shooting. That should compensate for differences in light spectrum.
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I'm not having any color casting problem at all. I would think using a grey card would correct it, or set balance to the flash setting if its not already. I have been just shooting auto white balance. What I find most helpful is U-tube tutorials: it's how I learned everything about my camera, speed light, strobes and softboxes!
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I returned my flip ultra 30 minute camcorder because of the inconsistency of the record button. I got another one, and then I had the same problems with the second one. Obvious design flaw.
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Is it the all orange. See it on http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/active/product/hxwa2/
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No, we have never encountered this issue. We use the camera frequently for road and mountain biking. If you move/shake the camera while just holding it in hand I would say may be a manufacturing issue, I would return and request replacement. We have not had any issue with this camera and love it!
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I purchased both these cameras at the same time, the sony at my local best buy and a panasonic on amazon. They are pretty close to the same, the sony has a little more true color indoors but the panasonic has more vibrant colors outdoor. The sony looks a little more washed out outside. I was impressed with both cameras low light recording. The image stabilizer worked a little better on the sony I thought, the problem I have with the panasonic is that it almost tries to overcorrect the shake. It seemed any time I used the touch screen while recording (ie...zooming) I notice a slight jump in the picture. I think with a little practice I can eliminate this by how hard I tap the screen, but it's touchy. I didn't seem to have that problem with the sony. The panasonic gets a little warm in your hand, but considering I use it in a hockey arena it doubles as a hand warmer! The panasonic comes with a video light and a hotshoe and u have more manual settings. The software that comes with both is crap, plan on buying third party editing software no matter wich way u go. Is the difference worth the $70 more I paid for the sony? probably not, I can buy an extra battery and SD card for the pan. If you could find them for about the same price though, I would go for the sony.