Panasonic CX20 Professional Compact 4K Camcorder with XLR Inputs & IP Connectivity

Easily capture and stream your production with the next-generation CX20 Professional Compact 4K Camcorder with XLR Inputs & IP Connectivity from Panasonic. The CX20 is a professional auto-tracking camcorder with numerous features, including dual XLR inputs, wired and Wi-Fi IP streaming and control capability, dual SD card slots, a 24x optical zoom lens with up to 48x digital HD zoom, image stabilization, and high-resolution 4K video capture.

The 1/2.5" MOS sensor handles 4K data at 60/50 fps with high-speed readout, minimizing rolling shutter distortion when capturing moving subjects.

The Venus Engine features a new image processing system capable of rapidly handling large 4K60 datasets for exceptional image quality. It also offers advanced image correction features to enhance creative video production. Internal recording supports resolutions up to 4K29.97 and 1080p59.94 in 4:2:2 10-bit.

The 4-drive lens system supports 24x optical zoom, ranging from a wide-angle 25mm (35mm film equivalent) to a telephoto 600mm. i.ZOOM technology enables up to 32x zoom in 4K and 48x in 1080p, providing flexibility for shooting in confined spaces.

Optimized for dynamic shooting conditions on location, the autofocus system prioritizes speed and tracking accuracy. The micro-drive focus unit ensures precise lens control for fast, smooth focusing. Sharp focus is reliably maintained even when subjects move from background to foreground.

Advanced Face Detection AE/AF automatically identifies and tracks human faces. Also, specific colors can be selected on the 3.5" touchscreen LCD to enable Tracking AE/AF to follow people and other moving objects with increased accuracy.

Five-axis Hybrid Stabilization corrects for camera shake in five axes: vertical, horizontal, and rotational. Using a gyro sensor that detects motion at 4000 times per second, the stabilization engine delivers fast corrections. Combining optical (O.I.S.) and electronic stabilization, it ensures stable video when zooming in at high magnification and when walking or shooting in low light.

A ball-bearing optical image stabilization mechanism reduces friction when the lens system drive unit operates. The lens moves smoothly when zooming and delicately compensates for shake caused by small vibrations.

The built-in ND filter (1/4, 1/16, 1/64, Clear) adjusts incoming light levels to suit the shooting environment. The filter can be used to prevent resolution loss caused by excessive aperture reduction (diffraction) and supports a wide aperture for sharp images with a shallow depth of field.

The image sensor typically heats up significantly as it collects external light through the lens, and its temperature rises further during high-speed 4K60 signal processing, so an advanced, efficient heat dissipation design is employed to maintain stable performance under such conditions.

Using the highly efficient new HEVC codec, the camcorder supports high bit rate recording.

Internal recording on SD cards supports 4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP UHD 4K29.97/25 (150 Mb/s) and 1080p59.94/50 (100 Mb/s). Enabling 10-bit recording activates 4K60 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output, which is ideal for capturing high-quality video from external recorders.

The camcorder uses compact SD cards with two available slots. For 4K recording, it enables relay and backup recording. For 1080p recording, slot 1 records specific scenes while slot 2 records continuously.

Other recording features include pre-recording, interval recording, and embedded timestamps.

The camcorder supports a variety of formats and bit rates, including MOV and MP4 for streamlined editing workflows, as well as 720p AVCHD 8 Mb/s (PM mode). Proxy recording is possible with the AVC-Proxy G6 codec.

Capture slow-motion video in 1080p mode at 120 fps or 100 fps. The system supports 10-bit recording and delivers full-frame images without cropping, even at high frame rates. Autofocus remains active during super slow-motion shooting.

The IR cut filter can be toggled on/off and assigned to a user button. Disabling the filter allows shooting in low-light conditions using commercially available IR illuminators (recommended: 850nm IR illuminator).

• 16-axis color correction
• Enhanced skin tones
• Edge enhancement
• Flexible gamma
• Customizable scenes/presets: Standard, Fluorescent Lighting, Spark, Still-like, Cinema-like with contrast, and Cinema-like with dynamic range

• Flash band compensation (FBC)
• Shockless auto white balance
• Customizable matrix tables, including CINE-LIKE mode
• V-detail and detail coring
• Chroma level/phase, color temperature, and master pedestal controls
• Knee point configuration

The camera features a 3G-SDI output for up to 1080p60 video output over distances up to 328' for switchers or recorders, and there is an HDMI output that supports up to 4K60 4:2:2 video for recorders or displays.

• Built-in 5/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi module
• Wireless control via mobile Android/iOS devices
• Wired REMOTE support via 2.5mm mini jack for focus, zoom, and record start/stop
• 1080p streaming and recording via SRT, RTSP/RTP, RTMP or RTMPS
• NDI|HX2 support compatible with the Panasonic AV-UHS500 live switcher
• Ethernet LAN connection for streaming output and control

• High-definition 3.5" LCD
• Bright 0.39" OLED EVF
• The LCD monitor rotates 180° and displays touch icons for convenient operation, making it easy to check framing and expressions while shooting.
• The monitor rotates for selfie mode
• Dual manual focus/iris rings
• Detachable top handle
• 13 user-assignable buttons
• USB-C PD power option

The camcorder supports professional audio recording with +48V phantom power, as well as mic and line inputs. It has two XLR inputs with volume control and 24-bit linear PCM audio recording with a professional microphone.

The built-in LED light provides 70 lux at a distance of 3.2' for effective illumination in low-light environments. Brightness can be adjusted from 30 to 100% using the dimmer dial on the handle.