Panasonic HDC-TM300 (Black)

Panasonic’s threesome of top-of-the-prosumer-line HD camcorders–the flash-based HDC-TM300, and hard-drive-based HDC-HS300 and HDC-HS250–in some ways massively improve over older models like the HS100 and SD100. While the company replaced the clumsy ring-based manual operation with a similarly clumsy touch sensitive screen, the improvement in video quality and performance make these a much better bet. The 3 models incorporate the same 12x zoom f1.8-2.8 lens–the same lens as the HS100 / SD100–as well as the same threesome of 0.25 .1-inch 3-megapixel 3MOS sensors, with a good resolution of 2.07-megapixels each for 16:9 video.

The genuine 3-megapixels for the predownsampled AVCHD video eventually breaks the resolution barrier ; typically, 3-chip systems use lower-than-HD resolution sensors, which don’t appear to produce extremely pointy HD video. Due to the different media, the video recorders have subtley different designs, but the same feature sets and should have identical video quality. A higher level down, 13Mbps, gets about ten minutes per gb.. The TM300 and HS300 share similar top end features as the HS100–manual focus ring, EVF, accessory shoe, and microphone input–while the HS250 trades those for a more compact design. Both the HS250 and HS300 have a 120GB hard disk.

As the name indicates, the TM300 is analogous to the HS300, but records to SD cards or the built in 32GB memory. It’s cushty to hold, particularly with the slight upward curve toward the back that makes the zoom switch and photograph button better to reach.

The earlier models had a toggle to change between the LCD and EVF ; with this one, you pull out the EVF to enable it, which is a nicer and more practical design. In opposition to the older models, only the optical image stabilizer button lives within the LCD recess, and the majority of the controls have gotten replaced by a cross-breed button / touchscreen interface. In the recess, under hard covers, are all but one connector–AV, part video out, mini HDMI, and USB–and the SD card slot.

( Panasonic commends a Class four card. ) In an engaging design move, Panasonic added an accessory shoe to the TM300, but put it in the side instead of the top–a more effective location given how far your hand covers the top.

Mic and headphone jacks are on the front right side, underneath the flash and opposite to the shoe. Above the LCD on the body are the Perceptive vehicle and 3-second prerecord button ; on the LCD’s bezel are zoom and record controls, a remove button, and Q ( uick ) Menu and Menu buttons. Thru Menu you choose options like where to record ( inbuilt memory or SD card ), select from a few scene modes, Digital Theatre ( 24p ) mode, mic options ( surround, zoom or focus ; bass settings ; and levels ), and display options like Zebra and histogram. To the left of the lens are 2 buttons for invoking manual controls. The Function button brings up 3 options on the touch-sensitive screen : white balance, shutter, and iris. In manual mode, you choose through a scrolling menu on the left.

At 2.7 inches, the LCD is a standard size for this class of camcorder ; overall, it’s reasonably good. However, it isn’t really effective as a touch-sensitive screen.

I found the system in the HS100 / SD100 ungainly, but at least you might use it with the EVF.

Since this model uses a touch-sensitive screen, you can’t change any of the manual settings while using it, which is a serious flaw.

It performs comparatively well, including booting quickly from a cold start. The EVF, while coarse and not especially color correct, is far an improvement on nothing, which is what you get on most rivals. The zoom feels comparatively precise and straightforward to manipulate, and the camcorder focuses moderately quickly in all but the lowest light. The audio sounds a little thin, but sufficient. And Panasonic’s optical stabilization works solidly out to the end of the zoom range. The video quality is reasonably good, showing not one of the artifacts that troubled the older models. Video seems sharp, though a little softer than competing models from Canon and Sony, but color and exposure measure up to what you would expect for a video recorder in its price range. Low-light video looks a bit soft, though not just about as soft as we have seen in prior versions, and remains quite noise-free. The audio sounds the same a bit thin but with satisfactory volume and microphone coverage.

If you do not need the EVF, accessory shoe, or mic input, and you do not do a lot of manual targeting, the HS250 is the highest value of the lot, and you must possibly save yourself the $300 or so price difference. Between the TM300 and HS300, I favor the TM300 ; it’s less expensive and most of the people don’t actually need the overpowering storage capability on the HS300’s drive.