I was blown away by the zoom on the Panasonic HC-X1200 – it almost makes the case for a full camcorder comeback

The Panasonic HC-X1200 is a reliable, compact camcorder with a heat-dissipating design, so you can shoot continually for events or even documentaries. Auto mode works brilliantly in most situations, but the built-in ND filters and control rings make manual shooting easier, too. You'd likely buy the HC-X1200 over a standard mirrorless hybrid for the phenomenal 24x optical zoom. It tracks subjects smoothly, whether they're close-up or in the far distance – think distant wildlife or a bride at a wedding – and the 5-axis stabilization effectively smooths handheld and walking shots, even at the furthest reaches of the zoom. The small 1/2.5-inch sensor means noisier footage at night or indoors, but it's perfectly usable with a bit of editing. Overall, this is a versatile video camera for the price, but it lacks the modern conveniences (like Wi-Fi) that some content creators will be looking for.

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