10 Camcorder Features You Forgot About

Leveling the horizon

Panasonic cameras have a Level Shot function that equalizes horizon in the frame

One of the most common mistakes of amateur operators is the plot unjustified gravitational instability of the frame. Translated into human language, this means that the horizon line is not parallel to the long borders of the frame (filled up), and the vertical lines in life turned out to be inclined and this has nothing to do with the author's idea. In fact, it is enough to hold the camera correctly when shooting, but for an amateur this task is not trivial.

The optical image stabilization system, which helps to get a smooth picture even when shooting with hands, can be used for minor correction of operator errors. For example, in the 2015 model range, Panasonic cameras have a function called Level Shot that aligns the horizon in the frame.

Information about the position of the camera body is provided by built-in sensors. The electronics rotate the matrix, as a result, the horizon turns out to be horizontal in the frame, even if the shooting is carried out indoors.

Help with framing

For a long time, video cameras have been equipped with very powerful zoom objects that provide strong magnification of far-away objects. At the same time, the angle of view becomes small, and any movement of the camera / object can easily lead to the fact that instead of the subject of the shooting, viewers will see only a piece of the background.

To return the subject of the shooting to the frame, it is necessary to reduce the focal length, move the camera, placing the object in the centre, and increase the focal length to the previous value. Modern cameras, for example, Canon Legria HF, among other advantages can boast of the Framing Assist function. Thanks to it, by pressing just one button, the operator quickly reduces the zoom, and releasing it, returns the zoom to its previous position. To accurately position the object in the viewfinder or on the camera screen, a frame is drawn showing the boundaries of the frame after zooming. The function is implemented, for example, in LEGRIA HF R — {cameras!!! block='price' idgood='512949' !!!}, Canon LEGRIA HF R66 and Canon LEGRIA HF R606 .

Frozen phases of movement

There are events, for example, tricks on a skateboard or bicycle, which happen so quickly that the eye does not have time to consider the details. Some cameras, for example, these ones, allow you to turn uninteresting videos into an exciting picture in which the phases of movement are collected in one static image.

The Motion Shot Video function works with pre-recorded fragments, allowing you to control the number of frozen motion phases. This means that at the time of recording, you only need to ensure the stability of the camera position, ideally using a tripod or improvised means. And everything else can be done later.

The Motion Shot Video function allows you to turn a video into an exciting image, on which the phases of movement are collected together

The resulting image is of independent value, its size is enough, for example, for publication on the Web, it will also be useful when editing a video as a spectacular interruption.

Slow motion

All modern cameras can shoot in Full HD, but some, for example, Panasonic HC-V750 , capable of recording video at a speed of 120 fps at a resolution of 1920x1080. Increased recording speed is not a novelty, but only recently ordinary video cameras have learned to work with resolutions sufficient for comfortable viewing on modern televisions.

When playing at a normal speed (25 fps), the movement in such videos will be greatly slowed down, which in itself is an expressive artistic technique (called "rapid") or allows you to see fast-flowing events in detail.

If you add interpolation, the speed can increase to 240 fps (which is equivalent to almost tenfold time dilation).

To record such a video, you must first enable the corresponding function in the camera menu. The best results are obtained in bright lighting – the camera does not have to increase the sensitivity too much to make the picture light. Most software and hardware players (for example, in media centers) play videos with an increased frame rate at normal speed automatically.

Two cameras in one housing

On the filming of films or reports, the cameraman is one of the most important participants in the process, but the viewer never sees him, because all the action takes place in the frame and it is the only thing that interests the audience. It's not like that in a home video: very often the cameraman is a family member and in many cases an active participant in the plot, commenting on events.

Panasonic engineers have come up with a way to include the operator in the frame – equipped the camera Panasonic HC-WX970 the second object, and it is rotary, respectively, can capture not only the operator, but also other fragments of what is happening during filming.

The Motion Shot Video function allows you to turn a video into an exciting image on which the phases of movement are brought together

The image from the second camera can be superimposed on the main one, as it happens in the TV when the picture-in-picture mode is turned on, and the location of the window is chosen by the operator depending on the plot.

Since the recording is digital, two versions are saved – with an overlay image from the second camera and the original image: you can choose the one you like after shooting.

Two and more: we shoot like a pro

You've probably noticed that concerts, shows and other exciting spectacles are filmed simultaneously from different points, and then mounted. Previously, such techniques were available only to professionals, since they required synchronization.

Today, thanks to the multi-camera shooting mode, the creation of interesting plots, where one event is shown from different angles, is also available to amateurs. The developers from Sony decided not to waste time on trifles and implemented support for wireless control of multiple cameras with one leading. The connection between them works through the Wi-Fi network being created, the image from each is written to its own media and is not transmitted anywhere.

Action cameras, camera objects, as well as ordinary Sony video cameras that support Wi-Fi can act as slaves. Up to four slaves are registered on the master camera, filming starts on all of them at the same time.

By selecting one of the slaves on the screen of the master camera, you can remotely change some parameters, for example, zoom the image.

The video is assembled on a computer, in the Play Memories Home programme supplied with the camera for free. The scenes shot at the same time are determined automatically, several templates for placing different plans in the frame are offered to choose from.

A very broad view of the world

The main advantages of the Canon LEGRIA mini camera — object with 170° angle of view and the convenience of shooting a video selfie

The vast majority of video cameras are equipped with zoom objects, the main focus of which is on increasing far-away objects. The developers from Canon decided to add variety and created a line of cameras Canon LEGRIA mini . Its cardinal difference from other models is the use of an ultra–wide-angle object with a 170° angle of view. It's like a door peephole, only there is much less distortion of space, and the quality is significantly higher.

Another interesting feature of the LEGRIA mini is the convenience of shooting a video selfie.

Firstly, the case is easy to install on any moderately flat surface and, thanks to the adjustable foot-stand, fix the angle necessary for the selected composition of the frame.

Secondly, the LCD display is not located on the side (as is customary with other cameras), but on top, and it reclines so that the person filming himself sees the image well, respectively, can control his position in the frame.

4K or Ultra HD

A lot has been written about the advantages of 4K, this format really provides an improvement in image quality. The last time such a breakthrough was during the transition from analogue recording on VHS cassettes to digital on DVD.

The latest models of TVs with Ultra HD resolution (it is also called 4K, which means a fourfold increase in the number of image elements compared to the currently accepted Full HD, in numbers it is 3840 x 2160 pixels) are poorly bought not only because of high prices, but also because of the lack of appropriate records.

Manufacturers of video cameras decided to participate in the process of creating content by releasing models capable of recording video with 4K resolution.

The only obstacle, however, easily surmountable, for the introduction of 4K into home video shooting is a large volume of the resulting files. In addition to the video camera, it is advisable to purchase an additional disk for storing the footage. Even if you don't have a 4K TV today, you will appreciate the videos you shot "for the future" tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, because the family archive, like good wine, acquires value over the years.

Projector in the camera

The opportunity to relive the exciting moments of the filmed scenes is the main incentive for home video filming. Yes, the more time has passed, the more interesting it is, but there are cases when you want to watch the recordings literally after a couple of hours. This is where a video camera with a built-in projector comes to the rescue, allowing you to organize a mobile cinema hall by pressing a couple of buttons.

Another use of a camera with a projector – trips to relatives or friends

Naturally, the projector built into the camera cannot compete with its desktop relatives (not to mention the installation ones): the luminous flux power is low. However, it is enough to get a picture with a diagonal of 50-70" on the ceiling in complete darkness. In a lighted room, the result is more modest – the size of the picture will be comparable to the screen of an average home computer.

Any flat surface works as a screen, ideally it should be white: the ceiling already mentioned, the refrigerator door or just a sheet of paper.

The second use of a camera with a projector is trips to relatives: grandmothers, usually, are very fond of watching videos with grandchildren in the main roles, but they do not always have the appropriate set of television equipment. Some models are able to play videos not only from internal memory, but also from connected external drives, which turns them into an perfect solution for traveling.

USB charging

The main problem of all modern portable electronics is high power consumption, which means a short battery life for the user. Previously, many manufacturers used batteries that can only be charged from a power adapter, which, in conditions of even minimal isolation from the benefits of civilization (for example, during a walking tour of the city), made the process of replenishing energy reserves very difficult, and often impossible at all.

Today there are more and more cameras, for example, JVC GZ-R15 , support charging via USB interface. The main advantage of such an innovation is the ability to recharge the video camera using an external battery, better known as a power bank. On long hikes, a solar battery with an intermediate battery will help out. Many car radios have a USB input for connecting external flash drives. Usually, there is also a power supply voltage on the contacts of this connector, respectively, it is suitable for charging the video camera during a trip. Finally, most modern TVs are equipped with a USB input, respectively, guests and hotels have the opportunity to extend the battery life of the camera, since lithium ion batteries practically do not suffer from the memory effect and can be recharged at any time, regardless of the discharge level.