The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is the company’s top camcorder for 2009 and easily fits in the first-class camcorder category.  With a price range of $1200-$1499, the HDC-HS300 brims with features and manual controls and boasts an amazing video quality.  The HDC-HS300 also features Panasonic’s intelligent Auto (iA) capability and the Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (Advanced OIS) which equips the camcorder with excellent shake-reduction capabilities.

Although designed well, some of its drawbacks are the button design and layout.  The buttons are a little awkward to use, while some are difficult to reach, and others take an effort to press.

The camcorder also features a well-designed 2.7-inch wide-screen, touch-sensitive LCD system that has the capability to impress even the pros.  The touch screen, coupled with Panasonic’s AF/AE feature, allows the user to point at the subject by touching the screen.  The camcorder does the rest by adjusting to the subject’s movement and setting the best exposure that will produce the best result – making any amateur videos look like pros.  This is the best part of Panasonic’s iA feature.

The properly grouped menus make it user-friendly, even to amateurs.  The “Info” option provides users with details and information for each menu selection.  This feature makes the camcorder very easy to use, even for beginners.

The Panasonic’s HDC-HS300 has a 120GB internal hard drive to store videos and still images alike.  It also features a built-in SD/SDHC memory slot for alternative media recording.  With the size of the hard drive, rarely will you need to use a memory card with this camera.  The down side of having a large capacity hard drive on a camcorder is its additional weight.  The drive goes to the right side of the camera, and its size and weight make the camera right-heavy – although overall weight of the camcorder is light enough, at only 1.06lbs (including battery), to make the camcorder very portable (physical dimensions: 73mm x 70mm x 141mm).

The top-quality videos (MPEG4-AVC/H.264) provided by the Panasonic HDC-HS300 also boast of vivid image quality, excellent color saturation and very good color accuracy that can rival any camcorder in the market.  Other video options and controls are also available.  Direct adjustments on the aperture and shutter speed are available.  White Balance selection (Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor 1 and Indoor 2) are on par with other camcorders.  For advance users, there is a Gain control and picture adjustment setting for sharpness and color saturation control giving versatility to the camcorder’s manual control option.  This camcorder shows none of the flaring and ghosting evident in other camcorders in this category.  Videos have very low noise level and good sharpness – even in motion.  The camcorder’s advanced OIS enables the user to eliminate up to 90% of shaky-hand effects in videos – very impressive.

To adjust the zoom, rotate the lens ring at the front of the camcorder.  The lens ring is a very popular feature for all Panasonic’s models.  It operates smoothly and comfortably, with no mechanical feel.  When you use the LCD screen, the lens ring at the front of the camcorder can only control the zoom and focus.  However, with the LCD screen closed and using the viewfinder, you will be able to control the camcorder’s white balance, aperture and shutter speed, as well.  With the Panasonic’s many control options and manual controls, this camcorder is an ideal entry-level camcorder for aspiring amateurs and has enough features and functions to satisfy most pro users.

Operation in Auto mode is also above average.  When in auto mode, ideal for amateurs, the camcorder will do all the adjusting from focus to white balance, making the job easier.  The Auto mode also produces excellent results, even in lowlight conditions; focus and exposure are quick and smooth.

The HDC-HS300 also features a Tele Macro option for shooting objects in close-up.  The camcorder’s 12X optical zoom and Panasonic’s advanced OIS, which eliminates blurs due to camera shake, make Tele macro shooting easier. 

Still pictures in the HDC-HS300 are not that impressive.  The camcorder stores still images in JPEG formats at 10.6 Megapixels (best quality).  Although not of the best quality in still image performance, the HDC-HS300 can still provide stunning images better than most camcorder in its category.  The HDC-HS300 is best for its intended purpose – taking videos.

One inconvenience you might encounter in this camcorder happens when using the viewfinder.  Although it is extendable, it doesn’t have the capability to pivot, making it hard to shoot in odd angles.  Also, the battery only lasts for about two hours of extensive use – although comparable to its competitors, it comes up a little short, considering you have 120 GB of space to fill.

If you would like to get the same amount of versatility and quality and at a lower price, then check out the Panasonic’s HDC-TM300.  This camcorder features great video quality and manual options for a lower price.  The tradeoff?  You’ll get 32GB of flash memory instead of the HDC-HS300’s 120GB Hard Disk storage.  You can add to the recording capacity by buying SD/SDHC to insert in the HDC-TM300’s built-in memory card slot – this advantage will enable you to purchase extra memory cards as you use the camcorder and only when necessary.  This will truly be a budget-saving option.

If you are always on the go, having less time to download and save your videos – and record a lot of them – then the Sony HDR-XR520V may be the best option for you.  It gives you double the storage capacity (with its 240GB) for only $100 more.  Video quality is almost identical, with the HDC-HS300 edging the Sony camcorder only in low light performance.

The Panasonic HDC-HS300 can easily win in comparison against any other model in its category because of its great quality videos, user-friendly menus, versatile manual controls, lightweight and huge storage space that can cater to both amateurs and pros with satisfaction.  Definitely, I would recommend the Panasonic HDC-HS300 with its great features.

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Technical Specifications

GENERAL
Power Supply DC7.2V / 9.3V
Power Consumption 7.8W
Weight (w/o Battery) approx. 460g (1.01 lb)
Dimension (W x H x D) 70 x 73 x 141 [mm] (2.75 x 2.88 x 5.54 [inch])
Media  HDD (120GB), SD/SDHC Memory Card
On-Screen Display Language Please refer to “OSD” sheet
IMAGE SENSOR
Image Sensor 1/4.1″ MOS x 3
Total Pixels 9.15 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x 3)
Effective Pixels
Motion Image  6.21 megapixels (2.07 megapixels x 3) [16:9]
Still Image 
7.95 megapixels (2.65 megapixels x 3) [3:2] 
7.53 megapixels (2.51 megapixels x 3) [16:9] 
6.96 megapixels (2.32 megapixels x 3) [4:3]
LENS SECTION
Lens Brand Leica Dicomar Lens
F Value F1.8(WIDE)/2.8(TELE)
Optical Zoom 12x
Digital Zoom 30x-700x
Focal Length 4-48mm
35mm Film Camera Equivalent
44.9-539mm (16:9) [Motion Image]
41.3-496mm (3:2), 40.8-490mm (16:9), 45.0-540mm (4:3) [Still Image]
Filter Diameter 43mm
CAMERA SECTION
Standard Illumination 1400 lx
Minimum Illumination
1.6 lx (1/30 Low Light Mode)
1 lx (MagicPix®)
Image Stabilizer Advanced O.I.S. [Optical Image Stabilization]
Focus Auto / Manual
White Balance Auto / Indoor1 / Indoor2 / Sunny / Cloudy / White set
Shutter Speed
Motion Image
[60i] Auto Slow Shutter ON: 1/30-1/8000, video lash: 1/30-1/500
                               OFF: 1/60-1/8000, video lash: 1/60-1/500
[24P] Auto Slow Shutter ON: 1/24-1/8000, video lash: 1/24-1/500
                               OFF: 1/48-1/8000, video lash: 1/48-1/500
Still Image   1/2-1/2000, video lash: 1/2-1/500
Iris Auto / Manual
Backlight Compensation Yes
MONITOR
EVF Yes
Monitor (LCD) 2.7 Wide LCD (230,400 pixels)
STILL IMAGE SECTION
Recording Format JPEG
Recording Image Size
Still Picture
10.6 megapixels (3984 x 2656), 7.0 megapixels (3264 x 2176), 4.5 megapixels (2592 x 1728) [3:2]
10.0 megapixels (4224 x 2376), 6.0 megapixels (3328 x 1872), 3.5 megapixels (2560 x 1440) [16:9]
9.0 megapixels (3520 x 2640), 8.0 megapixels (3264 x 2448), 5.0 megapixels (2560 x 1920), 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480) [4:3]
Simultaneous Recording 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160), 2.1 megapixels (1920×1080) [16:9]
Still Image 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080) [16:9]
Flash Yes
DPOF Max. 999 images
PictBridge Yes
RECORDING SECTION
Signal System 1080 / 60i
Recording Format MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant)
Recording / Playback Mode
HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
HX (9Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
HE (6Mbps / VBR), (1440 x 1080)
Audio Recording System Dolby Digital (5.1ch)
Microphone 5.1ch Surround, Zoom and Focus Microphone
Speaker Dynamic type
Media Remaining Indication Yes
INTERFACES
AV Out
HDMI Yes (mini)
Microphone (stereo mini) Yes
Headphones Yes
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Video Component Yes
OTHERS
LED Video Light  —
Accessory Shoe Yes (Cold)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
AC Adaptor Yes
AC Cable Yes
DC Cable Yes
Rechargeable Battery Pack min. 1250 mAh / Lithium-Ion
Video Component Cable Yes
AV Cable Yes
IR Remote Yes
USB Cable Yes
SD Memory Card —
Included Software HD Writer AE 1.0