The Panasonic HDC-TM300 Twin Media HD camcorder offers the choice of recording to the 32 GB HDD or SD/SDHC memory card and the 3MOS system with three full-HD sensors has one of the world's highest total pixel counts. The TM300 provides high image quality for both motion and 10.6-megapixel resolution still images. And it features high 8.3-megapixel resolution for still images when recording simultaneously with motion images. You can also enjoy a 5.1-channel surround sound system with 5 microphones featuring Zoom and Focus Mic functions.

The manual ring gives you easy fingertip control over the focus zoom and exposure settings. This lets you create images that just aren't possible with automatic functions. And the AF Tracking has been added to the iA function which automatically judges the scene and makes the best possible settings so the TM300 keeps the subject in focus even if the subject's face turns away from the camcorder.

To view recorded images as quickly as possible the TM300 features a new highlight playback function. This gives you a quick easy way to view the most exciting scenes all together. The HD Writer AE 1.0 editing software also has a new function that lets you easily upload your video clips to the YouTube website.

• Capture Full HD video; 1920 x 1080 resolution


• Records to 32 GB built-in Flash Memory or SD memory cards


• 12x Leica Dicomar lens with Optical Image Stabilization


• Capture stills up to 10.6 megapixels


• 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD

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The Panasonic HDC-TM80 High Definition Camcorder provides HD recording to a 16GB internal flash memory and to optional SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. In addition to the beautiful future-friendly 1920 x 1080 high def format and convenient flash memory recording the TM80 comes loaded with a number of stress reducing shooting functions digital still capture and options for archiving editing and sharing. Panasonic's Crystal Engine PRO and the 1/5.8" CMOS sensor form the heart of the TM80 - producing vivid life-like footage with fast processing speeds. Other core features of the camera include a touch screen 2.7" LCD for intuitive control of the camera a 33.7mm wide-angle lens 42x Intelligent zoom and optical image stabilization. All of these features work together to create clear beautiful memories. And along with creating detailed video the TM80 also produces crisp audio thanks to the built-in zoom mic and wind noise canceller. Without using an external mic this built-in mic captures high-quality sound without added expense.

The TM80 also features a number of shooting controls designed to make shooting easier. Let these controls take the guesswork out of shooting leaving you only with true-to-life memories not headaches. Panasonic's Intelligent Auto Face Recognition and Pre-Rec are just a few of the ways you can capture each and every moment with ease. When it comes time to edit share or archive the TM80 presents multiple options as well. Utilize the in-camera Advanced Highlight Playback for fun montages of your scenes set to music for starters. When you're ready to take the footage out of the camera and share it with the world the included HD Writer AE 3.0 software helps you do just that with simple upload to websites like YouTube and Facebook. Other options include the optional VIERA link or burning with a DVD burner.

FEATURES:

• Intelligent 42x Zoom and HYBRID

• Intelligent 42x Zoom and HYBRID O.I.S.


• 33.7mm Wide Angle Lens


• Zoom Mic and Wind Noise Canceller


• 16GB built-in memory


• SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card Recording

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Fun camera. More of a toy though.

I took this white water rafting and it held up like a champ. It doesn't shoot very crisp video and considering the bright sun conditions were pretty ideal but the results were far from. The thing is though that doesn't really matter. If you want to shoot decent video buy a decent video camera. This thing on the other hand is waterproof! And extremely so! I don't know if you've ever been white water rafting but it can get pretty brutal and after getting completely submerged more than once and bounced around a few times as well the unit still looks and performs as good as new. I'm very very impressed with its build quality. I give 4 stars because I'm not very impressed with its image quality.



If you need something you can abuse this is your camera; it'll take it. If you need something which will produce impressive video buy something else. And be careful with it.More detail ...

The picture quality of a '90s cell phone

I bought the Panasonic SDR-H80 digital video camera from Best Buy yesterday (May 23 2009). It cost $399 + extra for a backup battery and a warranty.



The Good Stuff:



The optical image stabilization feature is quite adept at stabilizing a shaky image.



The 70x zoom is kinda cool though you really need a tripod for anything over about 30x.



The camera looks attractive is light weight and has a relatively easy to use interface. The buttons are mostly positioned well except the zoom lever which I couldn't easily reach without jostling the camera.



The Bad Stuff:



The image quality of this camera is utter trash. Pure garbage. My picture phone literally takes better quality video at a higher resolution. I was absolutely stunned at how bad the image quality is. It looks like some kind of highly compressed late 90's webcam or something.



And it gets even worse in low light. And here by "low light" I mean anything less than direct sunlight. My first attempts with this camera last night turned out so bad that I couldn't see anything.



I did have the camera set to the highest quality and I followed the instructions for the different lighting types (fluorescent mercury etc) with no luck.



The camera claims to have an intelligent auto (iA) feature but I didn't notice it doing much but fiddling with the white balance at odd intervals.



There is also a special low-light feature called "magic ..." something or other. I forget. But it reduced the frame rate to 1 or 2 fps which makes it completely unacceptable as a video recording device.



I am surprised at how good the reviews are for this piece of equipment. Really people set your bar just a little bit higher.



I returned this product this morning to Best Buy. I brought my laptop and while I was there I tried out other cameras of this model to make sure that mine was not simply defective. They were all trash.



I ate the $60 Best Buy restocking fee but that's okay because I'd rather be out $60 than $400 for a camera that won't do anything but sit in my closet.More detail ...