Panasonic

Panasonic Camcorder Reviews

Panasonic HDC-TM20 – Making its appearance at the budget end of the market, the Panasonic HDC-TM20K is a sub $600 camera that really seems to be an excellent deal. Again, this is another camera in the new Panasonic high definition range and we are road-testing 5 for you this week. This one is at the cheaper end but that doesn’t always mean that you lose out in terms of performance, so we were keen to get on with the test and see what we found. Sit back with a coffee and have a read; maybe we can help you decide whether this is the camcorder for you.

Panasonic HDC-TM40 – The Panasonic HDC-TM40 has another mode called Soft Skin Mode which applies a soft focus whenever it detects skin tones as opposed to applying the effect in the background when tele-macro is activated. It is an ideal function to use if you want to take away some of the emphasis on blemishes without affecting the rest of the footage. In addition to this mode, you can select from a number of other modes that help optimize the footage. The Scene Mode helps you greatly by letting the device decide which is best so you won’t have to manually set the aperture and shutter speeds for different situations and locations.

Panasonic HDC-TM55 – For the design of the Panasonic HDC- TM55 you have a black casing with right handhold and left hand LCD monitor. The play, fast forward, and rewind buttons are on the top of the camcorder to make it easy for you to stop and start video as necessary. The other command buttons are also on the top for such things as still shots.

Panasonic HDC-TM80 – the Panasonic HDC-TM80 is part of Panasonic’s 2011 mid-range high definition camcorders with 42x zoom and Hybrid optical image stabilization. The HDC-TM80 records through a single image sensor (1MOS) lens capable of 33.7mm wide-angle and 42x zoom. It shoots 1920 x 1080 high definition format recording to 16GB of built-in flash memory.

Panasonic HDC-TM90 – The Panasonic HDC-TM90 camcorder is capable of shooting at 1920 x 1080/60p high definition. It records video or still images to its 16GB of memory and to SD memory cards. The HDC-TM90 is an affordable video camcorder with powerful 40x zoom and 3D recording capabilities. The optional 3D conversion lens, the VW-CLT1, achieves 3 dimensional recordings that literally pop out at you when viewed. The camcorder records using a single image sensor lens. You can take 28mm wide-angle videos or stills. The processor, Panasonic’s Crystal Engine Pro is the engine that produces sharp images and astounding color in both3D or 2D.

Panasonic HDC-TM300 – The next generation in camcorders is here. Now you can record in glorious high definition, and the Panasonic HDC-TM300 is one of several on offer from the lovely people at Panasonic. This is a mid to top end unit, and it is quite pricey. However, it is one of the latest on offer and the lab coated technical people at Panasonic have gone to great pains to rid their camcorders of some of the more irritating technologies, like their CMOS sensors which were always disappointingly low resolution, and brought in some bang up to date replacements, including the introduction of a touch screen. This means that we were eager to get our sticky hands on the HDC-TM300 and have a play so we can let you know what we think, and you can decide whether this could be the camcorder you are looking for or whether this just doesn’t make the grade for you.

Panasonic HDC-TM350 – The HDC-TM350 also improves on the Advanced Optical Image Stabilization which fixes those problems where the hands shake while using. There is an extra optical image stabilization setting called the Active Mode which can help people that frequently walk while recording. The original mode is still available for still recording. The low light performance is improved as well and that is not a weak area of the HDC-TM300.

Panasonic HDC-TM700 – The Panasonic HDC-TM700 is the highly anticipated successor to last year’s well-lauded HDC-TM300. Many new features and innovations were included and some of these include a new wider angle lens, larger LCD, 1080/60p record mode, and improved Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS). With these improvements and a sub $1000 price tag, the HDC-TM700 is perfectly poised to raise the bar for consumer camcorders.

Panasonic HDC-TM900 – The Panasonic HDC-TM900 is the top of the line in Panasonic’s 3D camcorder lineup for 2011, offering image quality that rivals professional video cameras. If you’ve been holding off upgrading your older model video recorder, then you’ll benefit from reading through this review to see if it meets your requirements.

Panasonic HDC-HS20 – The level entry end of the high definition camcorder market is becoming saturated with products, and the Panasonic HDC-HS20 is another one on offer from the lovely people at Panasonic. It is just under $800 which is still a good value unit, but what is there about this unit to make it stand out from the others at this level? We have had the chance to see this camcorder and have documented our findings so you can decide what you think, and whether this could be the camcorder for you. This was the fifth Panasonic we have looked at, and yet the write up that went with each meant we were always excited about getting the next one out of the box, and this is no exception.

Panasonic HDC-HS60 – The Panasonic HDC-HS60 has a similar design to most Panasonic brand camcorders in the new line. It is a sleek black camcorder with 35.7mm wide lens and 35x Intelligent Zoom. The lens sensor is 1/4.1? MOS x 3 with motion image, still image, and a total optical zoom or 25x. The camcorder strap is located on the right hand side to make it more comfortable for right handed individuals to use, with the HD screen on the left.

Panasonic HDC-HS80 – The Panasonic HDC-HS80 HD camcorder is Panasonic’s latest release of a full featured camcorder capable of 1920 x 1080p high definition recording along with a myriad of features that really pack a wallop. The camera is equipped with a 120GB hard disc drive for recording and storing hours of video. The HDC-HS80 camera really makes digital recording easy by automating a number of functions that take all the guesswork out of recording video.

Panasonic HDC-HS250 – High definition camcorders are the latest wave of products to hit the shelves, and the Panasonic HDC-HS250K is a good sub $1000 camcorder that is on offer from the lovely people at Panasonic, and is one in a group that has arrived for us to road test this week. This is another camcorder that they claim is a HDD/SD hybrid, but as far as we can see this is just something to say. This IS a high definition camcorder of that you can be sure, and SD – Standard Definition is clearly on the way out for camcorder technology. You know how this works by now. We get to play with the shiny new products and review them, and you can then decide if this maybe the camcorder for you.

Panasonic HDC-HS300 – The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is another release in their batch of high definition camcorders, and again this is a higher end expensive piece of kit, so we really need to know what we are getting for the money. Having just returned their HDC-TM300 we were keen to see how this compared, as there is just $100 difference in the recommended retail price, and the price they are offered for when brought from Panasonic directly. Our first thought was that for just $100, when you are spending this much money, if the Panasonic HDC-HS300 is so much better than its room mate, have Panasonic made a bit of a pricing error – IF the Panasonic HDC-HS300 tests better?

Panasonic HDC-HS700 – The Panasonic HDC-HS700 uses the renowned Leica Dicomar lenses. It comes with a 240GB HDD that stores about 20 hours of video at the highest resolution. HD images, which are captured at 1080p/60 frames per second, can also be stored on optional SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Panasonic HDC-HS900 – In the Panasonic HDC-HS900, you can achieve less blurry images by pressing the O.I.S. Lock indication on the LCD screen. Equipped with five electret condenser microphones, this camcorder will be able to capture the sound source accurately and help achieve a more 3D effect. This Zoom Mic function which improves noise-reducing performance coupled with higher zooming power allows you to capture dazzling images and and stunning sound quality.

Panasonic HDC-SD40 – The Panasonic HDC-SD40 records at the 1920 x 1080 video producing HD video with vivid, detailed images. When you’re done shooting and ready to share with friends and family, you use Panasonic’s HD Writer LE 1.0 software to import the videos, change and edit the footage and then upload to YouTube or view on a VIERA Image Viewer. Of course, you can always view it on your HDTV using the VIERA Link cable.

Panasonic HDC-SD60 – The full HD Panasonic HDC-SD60 features a larger, 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor, and it includes a 25x optical zoom lens (up from 16x on last year’s models).

Panasonic HDC-SD80 – The Panasonic HDC-SD80 is capable of recording Full HD video at a 1920 × 1080 resolution. The Crystal Engine PRO system found in the HDC-SD80 improves the full HD quality such that is produces amazing high-resolution images even when in zoom. The low frequency noises produced in low lighting conditions has been lowered. It also includes 33.7mm wide-angle lenses that can carry up to a 34x optical zoom; coupled with the Intelligent Zoom function, it can reach to a massive 42x zoom at the same time preserving the image quality and resolution.

Panasonic HDC-SD90 – The Panasonic SD-90 also has the ability to record 3D video via Panasonic’s HD conversion lens. It can play back 3D footage via a VIERA 3DTV, compatible 3D TV (with side-by-side method 3D playback, 3D Eyewear, and an HDMI cable), or an AVCHD-compatible player/recorder. outfitted with the standard 1 MOS sensor system. Still being capable of recording 1920 x 1080/60p video or 3D video, this camcorder can also record Full HD with 28mm wide-angle lenses.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 – The Panasonic HDC-SD600 is finely crafted to resemble larger pricier models, but the small design makes it easier to use. At its heart is an identical triple-CMOS sensor array to that in the SD700. Also the same is the image processing technology and the wide angle F1.5-2.8 lens.

Panasonic HDC-SD800 – Together with the HDC-TM900 and HDC-HS900, the Panasonic HDC-SD800 is part of Panasonic’s 2011 range of flagship HD camcorders. The HDC-SD800 offers the renowned 3MOS image sensor system with 1080/60p recording, Intelligent Auto, Hybrid OIS, and Eco-Mode.

Panasonic HDC-SDT750 – This is Panasonic’s first 3D consumer camcorder. It has a 3D conversion lens that enables the camcorder to shoot 3D video content. In addition to shooting 3D, the HDC-SDT750 can record in full 1080p hi-def when the 3D conversion lens is unattached.

Panasonic SDR-H85 – The SDR-H85 has an advanced optical zoom with 78x zoom with the traditional image stabilizer that Panasonic is known for. This device stabilizes your image even at the longest zoom. If you are trying to fit a group of people into your shot the new 33mm wide angle lens will give you the opportunity to do so. The 2010 SDR-H85 comes equipped with the Intelligent Autofocus that has automatic exposure and automatic focus capabilities while you are recording.

Panasonic SDR-T50 – The design of the Panasonic SDR-T50 is not like many of the other 2010 camcorders in the line. It is an SDR which stands for standard definition. It is not a HD or Full HD like some of the more expensive options. The lack of HD offers only an advanced optical zoom of 78x with the OIS. OIS is optical image stabilization allowing for you to get a clear image or video even if your hand shakes a little bit. The wide angle lens is 33mm with the intelligent auto focus with AE/AF tracking. The AF stands for auto focus with auto face resolution tracking as part of the camera.

For more details on Panasonic’s latest range of Camcorders, visit the Official Panasonic Site.