We purchased the Panasonic HC-V770 so that our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and review it. Read on for our full product review.

The Panasonic HC-V770 is a feature-packed camcorder at a reasonable price, which would have made it an attractive option in 2015. Today, however, the HC-V770 finds itself at a tricky crossroads. It sits just below the price point that would get you 4K video in a name-brand camcorder, in an era where 4K is becoming increasingly common. Does the HC-V770 do enough to make it worth buying today? The answer for many buyers will still be yes, but you should carefully consider whether this is the right product for your needs.

The Panasonic HC-V770 is a bit heavier for its camcorder class at 12.5 ounces, though it is still quite light when compared to professional consumer camcorders and even DSLRs. It is still light and small enough to easily store and carry around. Panasonic hasn't deviated too much from the familiar design of most modern camcorders, and users who have experience operating similar devices should feel right at home operating the HC-V770. That said, there are still a few quirks here and there that are worth noting.

One of the first things you'll notice about the Panasonic HC-V770 is the significant bump that houses the microphone. Also on top of the device is the zoom rocker and a dedicated photo button. On the left side is the camera function dial, which is used to navigate some of the camcorder's operating functions. We liked the functionality this dial offered, but weren't necessarily enamored with how it felt to operate. While the dial offers a fair amount of resistance, it doesn't click or provide haptic feedback.