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? We are keen to get going, as on paper this one knocks spots off their other model, so we want to see if it lives up to its specification, in which case you better all get saving the extra $100.

Panasonic HDC-HS300 Camcorder

Design

Again, we feel that the design of their camcorders lets Panasonic down. We just can’t get on board with these camcorders from a purely aesthetic point of view. They are messy and littered with far too much sign writing. We like the size, and the weight is great at just over 1lb. Again, this is a neat little unit that can fit into a bag or pocket really well. We just wish that they would give up the retro styling and get a more modern sleek look. If you haven’t seen one in the flesh, then you are looking at a black camcorder with a good size hand strap and a pull out viewing screen and it has a touch screen control, which we will get onto later.

Actual user review:
“I have used this camcorder for about 1 week. I think the outdoor shots taken with this camcorder are top notch and look fantastic. I play them back via my PS3 using the USB port and a SD card adapter on my 46″ Mitsubishi LCD TV. I also converted the videos to Apple TV format and they still look great. The indoor shooting seems to be best when you switch to manual. I would say these videos are good but not great. I had a Sony TRV38 before and that camcorder was worse indoors than the HS300. Keep in mind that I’m comparing the outdoor shots to indoor ones and all camcorder will be better outside. I will also say that they are still better as far as clarity and color than my old DVC camcorder. The transfer from hard drive to SD card works well. I converted a 30 minute Christmas morning video on my MAC in less than 20 minutes using the SD card to transfer. So far I’m pretty pleased with using iMovie 09 to work with the files. Even though I have not used it for very long, I would have no problems recommending it to a friend.” – H.Hayman (NJ,USA)

Functionality

We won’t spend anymore time on looks, because at the end of the day it is the functionality that is really important. Can this camcorder capture perfectly your precious memories, and allow you to preserve them for ever so you can view them again and again when ever you wish?

The big claim on the Panasonic site is that this is a hybrid camera which is rather confusing and not backed up in their blurb as they also state that this is a full high definition piece of kit, and as far as we can see it is HD, so we are going to run with that. This means that the pictures that are recorded are sharper and crisper which you will enjoy when you watch the playback, and these images are assisted by the 3MOS technology, which adds definition and clarity that really does allow the capture of ëright there with them’ images, which are a delight to watch.

The intelligent automatic technology that Panasonic have developed means that the camcorder will make adjustments to the settings automatically and compensate for things like poor lighting, and can track the subject of the video to ensure that the focus stays on them. We also like the Panasonic Advanced OIS, which means if your hands get a bit of a shake like ours do before we have made our third coffee of the morning then the camcorder can compensate so that the pictures remain stable whilst recording. Again this is a good touch, and we are beginning to forget our gripe with the looks of the unit as the performance really is looking good.

Now sadly it lets itself down slightly, and we did say we would get on to the touch screen functionality. Well sadly, we aren’t impressed with this one bit. It is a touch screen when it feels like it, and sometimes it just wouldn’t do as we asked. We tried gently touching the screen, then we got stressed and jabbed the screen, but sadly the functionality was random, and sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t. The school report on this bit definitely reads – ‘could do better’, and we hope that Panasonic have noted this and will improve this in the next wave of camcorders they choose to release.

Conclusion

We like the Panasonic HDC-HS300 and would definitely consider spending our hard earned reviewer’s pittance on this camera. It is a neat toy with lots of functionality and produces stunning high def playback images, which is kind of the point really. It does make us wonder about the TM300 though, as for just a $100 you are getting a massive 120GB memory, and a comparable if not slightly better performance overall. We will forgive the looks as the performance is so good, and we do like their improvements, so overall we are more than happy with the Panasonic HDC-HS300. We may hide this one and see if they notice the box is empty when we send it back.

Average User Rating:

• “This the first review I have felt was worth the time to do. I have worked in several fields of photography over a 37 year career that includes motion picture, commercial catalogs and aerial mapping. I am also an avid amateur nature photographer. My last camera was a 3.5 year old JVC model GR-DV3000. It was a very good camcorder. I read several reviews on the Panasonic DHC HS300 before purchasing it. I is an outstanding piece of engineering. It work great right out of the box. I purchased the camera on July 6 and used it extensively on a recent trip to Las Vegas. The results from daylight and night time shooting is superb. There are so many good features it is difficult to determine where to start. Switching from Video to Stills is easy and smooth. The touch screen is a big plus in navigating through the various menus. For the advanced user, there are numerous manual options to chose from. The 10.6 megapixel stills are better that my 8.2 megapixel Canon D20 digital still camera. I purchased a 16 GB Transcend SDHC card to compliment the 120 GB internal hard drive. I used both the hard drive and the card in Vegas. It is very easy to transfer files from one to another. The video and still files work well with CyberLink Power Director 7 Ultra. Cables are provided to link up to HD TVs and pro logic receivers with the HDMI mini. The thumbnails provide easy access to the video clips and stills. The camera button and touch screen might pose some difficulty for a person with large hands. Do not buy the filter sets that use a reduction ring from 43 mm to 37 mm. You end up with vignetting at the wide angle setting. I purchased Tiffen 43 mm filters. The additional Tele and Wide angle lenses are not worth the money. A bit pricey but Panasonic has put together a great overall package.” – A.Killinen (OH,USA)

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