A:Answer"X" in this context means zoom. They are telling you it has 20X variable optical zoom plus "some other X" digital zoom, which is another way of saying, a short telephoto lens (that's the 20X part) plus an "X" digital zoom, also know as "a convenient and frustrating but super fast way to ruin your output."
There are online converters to figure out what a 20x is, in relation to whatever telephoto lens you are accustomed to.
Hope this helps.
A:AnswerBest answer I could say is "it depends."
From a technical standpoint, this camera does a *lovely* job with dance shows. Because of sensor size, when filming "wide", your downstage and upstage dancers will both be in focus and parents will all be happy with that.
Operationally it's pretty easy to use (and can be put in an "auto" mode even). That said, my "it depends" answer is because stage productions often have diverse lighting, and sometimes specials or a follow-spotlight. In some circumstances, if the camera sees more dark areas than light on the stage, in auto settings it may gain-up the image and blow out your performers.
I always would recommend you hire a professional for your parents -- the kids and your choreographers have worked hard all year to get to this point, and you really don't want parents blocking each other and missing the show BC they were too busy with their phones recording, ya? A single "camera on a stick" in the back, monitored by someone to tweak the exposure as needed -- this camera would probably fit the bill for you. If possible and you can hire someone, look for someone who will shoot with 2 or 3 cameras and edit them for you... a WORLD of difference from production-quality standpoint.
A:AnswerThe built-in mic in the camera actually does an OK job!
That said, watch YouTube videos for mics you can mount on top with its shoe-mount, and which have 1/8" plugs to plug into the camera's 1/8" mic port on the right side.
A:AnswerIt has a built-in microphone, but if you want to have better audio you can use an external microphone from recognized brands such as Rode or others, it can be wired or wireless
