Panasonic's waterproof pistol-grip camcorder — Full HD MP4, 5x zoom, 3m/IPX8 rating, 2011.
The Panasonic HX-WA10 was a waterproof pistol-grip camcorder announced in early 2011, part of Panasonic's short-lived HX line of upright dual camera-camcorders. Marketed for beach, pool and outdoor use, it competed with Sanyo's Xacti-style vertical shooters and was sold in black and orange finishes.
It recorded Full HD 1920x1080 video in MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC) format from a back-side-illuminated MOS sensor, with still capture at up to 16 megapixels. The lens offered 5x optical zoom, extendable to a 12x advanced zoom in video, with electronic image stabilisation, face detection and Intelligent Auto mode. A fold-out swivelling LCD of about 2.6 inches handled framing, the body was waterproof to 3m for up to 60 minutes to IPX8, and footage was stored on SD-family cards.
The WA10 suits holiday and poolside video where a phone or conventional camcorder would be at risk, and its vertical grip makes one-handed shooting natural. Electronic rather than optical stabilisation shows in walking footage, and stills are a secondary function, so treat it as a rugged video-first device.
Waterproofing is the main used-market concern: inspect the battery and card door seals for perished rubber and ask whether it has been submerged, as failed gaskets kill these cameras. Confirm the proprietary battery holds charge, the swivel screen hinge is tight, and recorded MP4 clips play back cleanly. Check the lens window for scratches from sand and grit given the intended outdoor use.