This is an inexpensive and very compact and lightweight standard definition camcorder designed for the casual user who does not want to sink a whole month’s pay into just to record some personal events.
First, the good and bad:
Pros:
1) Unusually small and lightweight, this is easily carried in a jacket pocket.
2) The startup time, even when not set in Quickstart mode, is five seconds. Nice way to capture surprises on the go.
3) The iA mode, which automatically sets the iris, shutter, white balance, and other major aspects of recording, works pretty well, even though resorting to the manual settings is still required for some unusual applications.
4) The incredible 70x optical zoom is unparalleled in a camera at this price point.
5) The Optical Image Stabilization is considerably more effective than the more common digital stabilization found in all other cameras in this price range. Just don’t expect to get away with using the full 70x zoom while hand holding it, though!
6) The MPEG2 format used for recording is easily handled under my admittedly eccentric choice of operating system, Linux.
7) The SDHC storage medium allows random access to recordings, easy deletion, no moving parts, and a storage medium that is handled under even Linux with a cardreader. Also, the camcorder itself is recognized under Linux, so the files can be manipulated through the integral USB port if desired.
The manual settings allow the user to adjust for unusual conditions, such as low light, just as long as you READ THE MANUAL FIRST, then experiment a bit on your own.
9) The camcorder is almost noiseless in operation, so there is no clicking from a DVD, whirring of a hard drive, humming of a DVC drive motor, or motor from the lens being zoomed in and out.
10) The integral lens cover, which is built into the front of the camera surrounding the lens, cannot be lost.
11) The barrel surrounding the lens area is threaded, allowing accessories, such as wide angle and zoom lenses and filters, to be screwed in for special applications. Those accessories are easily found right here on Amazon.
12) Hey! It even comes with a proper printed manual, a rarity in this day of PDF manuals available only on CD-ROM or via websites.
Cons:
1) It would have been nice if Panasonic had added a microphone jack to allow a separate microphone to be used. However, the integral microphone works rather well on its own.
2) In certain applications, especially indoors, the image can take on a reddish cast when using the default iA setting. This is easily overcome by adjusting the white balance for incandescent lighting, though, so no real problem.
3) The battery life of ~1 hour is rather short, and requires opening a cover on the bottom to replace when discharged. I already ordered two spares and a standalone charger.
4) This may be looked at as good or bad, depending on your opinion, but the battery does not charge with the cable plugged in while the camera is in use. I actually look at this as a good thing, since it does not wear out the battery by discharging it while it is charging, which can cause premature failure of lithium-ion batteries. It simply runs directly from the power cord when plugged in, which is no real problem, as far as I am concerned.
5) Even at the MagicPix setting, designed for extreme low light, this camcorder will not work in a completely dark room. I don’t really even worry about that. If I really wanted to record in such extreme conditions, I would spring for a considerably more expensive night shot camcorder. It still does pretty well, in low light, as long as there is at least 2 lumens of light present.
My opinions on this are that this is unusually good for a camcorder in its price range, especially for its two main selling points of its fantastic 70x optical zoom and optical image stabilization.
It is so simple to operate that even a young child could understand it, using the nicely automated settings.
Yes, there are some circumstances that call for manual intervention, but the people griping about this, especially those attempting (apparently) to take footage inside a cave, would be well advised to READ THE MANUAL and not expect the impossible from such an inexpensive camcorder.
I was able to take some nighttime footage with this, with only sodium and mercury vapor light illumination, and it did pretty well.
And while it is true that my naked eyes are good in light far lower than this can handle, I have a more realistic expectation of it than some of the more critical people out there.
I intend to have a family member use this next year for my wedding, and I am confident that it will work just fine for that, too.
Nice work, Panasonic!
Rating: 4 / 5
This is an inexpensive and very compact and lightweight standard definition camcorder designed for the casual user who does not want to sink a whole month’s pay into just to record some personal events.
First, the good and bad:
Pros:
1) Unusually small and lightweight, this is easily carried in a jacket pocket.
2) The startup time, even when not set in Quickstart mode, is five seconds. Nice way to capture surprises on the go.
3) The iA mode, which automatically sets the iris, shutter, white balance, and other major aspects of recording, works pretty well, even though resorting to the manual settings is still required for some unusual applications.
4) The incredible 70x optical zoom is unparalleled in a camera at this price point.
5) The Optical Image Stabilization is considerably more effective than the more common digital stabilization found in all other cameras in this price range. Just don’t expect to get away with using the full 70x zoom while hand holding it, though!
6) The MPEG2 format used for recording is easily handled under my admittedly eccentric choice of operating system, Linux.
7) The SDHC storage medium allows random access to recordings, easy deletion, no moving parts, and a storage medium that is handled under even Linux with a cardreader. Also, the camcorder itself is recognized under Linux, so the files can be manipulated through the integral USB port if desired.
9) The camcorder is almost noiseless in operation, so there is no clicking from a DVD, whirring of a hard drive, humming of a DVC drive motor, or motor from the lens being zoomed in and out.
10) The integral lens cover, which is built into the front of the camera surrounding the lens, cannot be lost.
11) The barrel surrounding the lens area is threaded, allowing accessories, such as wide angle and zoom lenses and filters, to be screwed in for special applications. Those accessories are easily found right here on Amazon.
12) Hey! It even comes with a proper printed manual, a rarity in this day of PDF manuals available only on CD-ROM or via websites.
Cons:
1) It would have been nice if Panasonic had added a microphone jack to allow a separate microphone to be used. However, the integral microphone works rather well on its own.
2) In certain applications, especially indoors, the image can take on a reddish cast when using the default iA setting. This is easily overcome by adjusting the white balance for incandescent lighting, though, so no real problem.
3) The battery life of ~1 hour is rather short, and requires opening a cover on the bottom to replace when discharged. I already ordered two spares and a standalone charger.
4) This may be looked at as good or bad, depending on your opinion, but the battery does not charge with the cable plugged in while the camera is in use. I actually look at this as a good thing, since it does not wear out the battery by discharging it while it is charging, which can cause premature failure of lithium-ion batteries. It simply runs directly from the power cord when plugged in, which is no real problem, as far as I am concerned.
5) Even at the MagicPix setting, designed for extreme low light, this camcorder will not work in a completely dark room. I don’t really even worry about that. If I really wanted to record in such extreme conditions, I would spring for a considerably more expensive night shot camcorder. It still does pretty well, in low light, as long as there is at least 2 lumens of light present.
My opinions on this are that this is unusually good for a camcorder in its price range, especially for its two main selling points of its fantastic 70x optical zoom and optical image stabilization.
It is so simple to operate that even a young child could understand it, using the nicely automated settings.
Yes, there are some circumstances that call for manual intervention, but the people griping about this, especially those attempting (apparently) to take footage inside a cave, would be well advised to READ THE MANUAL and not expect the impossible from such an inexpensive camcorder.
I was able to take some nighttime footage with this, with only sodium and mercury vapor light illumination, and it did pretty well.
And while it is true that my naked eyes are good in light far lower than this can handle, I have a more realistic expectation of it than some of the more critical people out there.
I intend to have a family member use this next year for my wedding, and I am confident that it will work just fine for that, too.
Nice work, Panasonic!
Rating: 4 / 5