WXF991 vs. VX981
Replacing the WX970 and VX870, respectively, the two camcorders differ physically in two primary ways: the WXF991 has a viewfinder and a second camera on the LCD door.
Viewfinder
When Panasonic introduced its first 4K consumer models last year, it was odd that the $1,000 WX970 lacked a viewfinder; its replacement has one.
Headphones and power
You can run the camcorders off an AC adapter and plug-in headphones.
Manual controls
Panasonic continues to use a jog dial (press to select mode and turn to make adjustments) for its manual exposure controls.
HDR movie
Like last year's models, these support HDR movie (HD-resolution only). It works by recording 30p video at 60 frames per second and alternating slower shutter-speed frames (for better shadow detail) with higher shutter-speed frames (for better highlight detail).
Twin camera
Panasonic's Twin Camera feature works by capturing a second stream of video from this rotating camera on the LCD door; only the WXF991 offers this in the 4K models.
New wind shield
Panasonic has updated the design of the wind shield on the microphone by adding a noise-reducing material between the microphone and the metal net, and it's changed the shape of the net for better wind travel.
Accessory shoe
Like most camcorders in its class, these have a cold (i.e., unpowered) accessory shoe.
Top
The view from above.