Panasonic HDC-TM300 Reviews: Panasonic SD Card storage HD camcorder

+ The light weight and small footprint are all plus points on the TM300. The internal memory gives you around 4 hours of filming at full 1080i. The addition of an SD card facility can double this if required. There are many play back connection options with the HDMI being the best. Have yet to use all the facilities on the machine as there are so many but eventually I am sure I will be able to make use of most of them. The touch screen is easy to use but you have to do this with your left hand - so right hander start practicing.

- When zooming as the product is so light keeping it free from shaking is a little difficult but this is something you will get used too (especially after using a more heavier device). The maiximum digital zoom is not really worth using as you get very pixelated (700x). 30x is good however.

+ The Panasonic HDC-TM300 incorporates all the features that have been progressively dropped from it's predecessors. This includes eye view finder, full manual operation, mic in/earphone out and many other options. It permits simple copying and editing in camera from SD card to internal flash memory or visa versa. It is the most complete Hi Def camcorder I have had from Panasonic to date.

- None really. Plastic finish is slightly below par but is hugely outweighed by superb performance.

+ I love this camera. The image quality is great and the menus are easily accessible and logical. In opposite to a lot of reviews I have read I also think the touch screen is very responsive. The manual functions are great when you want more control and they are easy to operate.

- The widest angle is not very wide so have had to buy a wide angle lens. The battery life could be better.

+ Excellent single handed handling, large zoom range, >3h using built in flash memory, surprizingly good sound capture using the built in microphones.

- Fast picture quality degradation under low-light conditions.

+ Easy to use and holds hours of max res video. Stills OK but my SLR is much better so only use for snaps.

- The only thing I find to critisize is that my finger does not find the photo button easily.
One other is that I wish the video files could have the date as there file name so you would never get a file of the same name.

+ Intuitive to use. Small and lightweight. Great image quality. Quick start-up time. Time Lapse and pre-record are cool!

- Battery doesn't seem to last very long. Not compatible with identicle looking & rated batteries from my previous panasonic camera due to small redesign of battery connector. Doesn't immediately stop recording when you press the stop button - it records about half a second of extra footage, which is generally a recording of the floor! The provided DVD cutting software is not particularly good ... and requires a manual update from panasonic's website to burn more than 1 disk.

+ Picture quality in good light and sound

- Picture quality in low light and the camcorder is a little too thick

+ image (and audio ) quality
zoom
performances

- cost (and availability) of accessories

+ Manual control of focus, iris, white balance and shutter speed means you can achieve really professional footage. Light weight and good build quality means you can take this camera anywhere. The image quality is very good, even when using fully automatic settings in most cases, making it ideal for those who just want to capture holiday footage. Editing workflow is so easy and quick with footage recorded to flash memory and there are no dropped frames or mechanical parts to go wrong. For semi-professional film makers, this camera is good enough as a second standby machine for shooting in HD, and for amateurs, it will fulfill all their needs.

- Fixed eye level viewfinder with no eye cup. If the viewfinder could be hinged upwards, this would make using the camera much easier, and if you wear glasses, an eye cup is essential. Battery life is not good with the supplied battery, and you need at least 2 (higher capacity) batteries for a day's shoot. The lens is not wide angle enough to capture many scenes, and you do need to invest in a Wide Angle converter lens, which I found makes a huge difference.

+ Image quality, funcionality.

- Sound. It's ok but not more than that.

+ Excellent picture quality, endless possibilities, relatively easy to use right out of the box

- Ta take advantage of all the possibilities you may have to spend a few hours studying the manual.

+ very light
very good image quality

- small buttons

+ I am still geting used to the camcorder,
not having used one befor i find it very interesting and i am getting better results than i expected.

- I have not found anything negitive to say about this camcorder as yet.as i am of advanced years the only problems i am finding are of my own making

+ picture quality is outstanding,ease of use early days yet but will get round to using all functions soon.allready done one wedding shoot

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Excellent image quality for stills and video. Plays music when viewing a slide show on the tv.

- Have found the sound a little susceptible to wind noise, but as this is my first camcorder I am sure that there will be a solution.