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In one test, we were able to focus on a foreground subject and capture a scene that looked almost cinematic. The HDC-300SC allows you to zoom manually and adjust focus, unusual options for a down-and-dirty camcorder. Panasonic is well-known as an innovator in pro-level video cameras, and its consumer models usually benefit from a trickledown effect, even if they sometimes lag behind Sony’s in overall value. However, the HDC-300SC gets an edge when it comes to manual filming options. At the end of the day, the extra features are only so helpful – what matters most is the optics.

Sony sensor technology is superior, and if pressed on which camera to use for a vacation, we’d pick the Sony. That said, we also viewed several clips from an older Sony HDR-HC7 video camera that is roughly the same price as the HDC-300SC. Clearly, Panasonic has tweaked the video camera since the original HDC-HS100 model. The camera uses three MOS sensors instead of the more common – and presumably more expensive – CMOS or CCD sensors. In one test, with a subject about a hundred feet away (a problem for most consumer camcorders), the HDC-HS300 retained its fidelity and introduced very little noise. – the HDC-300HS operated more like a prosumer camcorder. In an afternoon of shooting near a historic mill with plenty of shooting scenarios – e.g., bright colors, churning water, etc. The HDC-HS300 was much clearer, with less noise and better quality. We inspected video resolution and color quality, frame rates, smoothness of video, artifacting, and tonal variation. We compared video clips side by side to the Hitachi BD9H, which also records in 1920×1080, using a Viewsonic N4790p 47-inch LCD-TV. Resolution on this video camera is just outstanding, a noticeable improvement over other models we have tested.

There’s a 12x optical zoom, which you can control manually or with a zoom button. Video captures at 10.6 megapixels with a 17Mbps stream rate, and you can snap still photos at 8.6 megapixels to either the HDD or an SD card.
#Panasonic hdc sd40 manual mode 1080p#
It’s a 1080p video camera that records onto an internal, non-removable 120GB hard disk. The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is no different: It has a fold-out 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen, weighs exactly one pound, and is small enough to carry around with your digital camera in the same bag. There’s now a standard form factor for consumer video cameras – they are typically about the size of your hand, with a fold-out LCD screen and highly digitized options, such as focus and zoom.

It’s not the device you’ll want for, say, shooting indie films or other artistic video work, but, against the odds, it’s a solid all-around performer. But somehow, Panasonic has made the sensors in the HDC-HS300 video camera work overtime – color quality and resolution are exceptional.
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Alas, unless you want to fork over $2000 or more for a professional camera, there are almost certainly bound to be compromises with most models.
#Panasonic hdc sd40 manual mode movie#
Similarly, a low-quality camcorder introduces noise and artifacts to a movie – there’s a noticeable pixilated look. A poor-quality model (think: the Flip for about $100, or a no-name brand at Best Buy) is a real disappointment in terms of resolution and color depth, even though it makes YouTube uploading easy. Fitbit Versa 3Ī video camera lives or dies by its optics.
