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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Conclusion & Comparisons

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Conclusion & Comparisons
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

Panasonic has made some big internal changes with the HDC-HS100. For the first time, Panasonic dropped a three-CCD system in favor of a three-CMOS sensor arrangement. It indicated that we could expect to see a 30% increase in resolution and a 20% increase in contrast. The processor was also overhauled since the previous generation, with a 300% improvement in input level that would increase detail in shadows while preventing blowouts.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in auto mode at 3000 lux

To evaluate video performance in bright to moderate lighting, we first shot the HDC-HS100 in our labs under standardized conditions. We used a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even 3000 lux. Under these conditions, at least at first glance, the performance looked strikingly similar to the previous generation HDC-HS9. It seems that despite the new sensors and overhauled processor, the color performance is virtually identical.

Once again, a bold saturation of colors is the most obvious aspect of the performance. Compared to Canon HF10 and the Sony HDR-CX7, the colors are practically leaping off the screen. This could be more easily considered a positive if the HDC-HS100 were aimed at a strictly consumer audience, but it's not. The HDC-HS100 is aimed at a more experienced user, with whom color accuracy should matter a great deal. We'll repeat our comment in the HD-HS9 review: some sort of saturation adjustment tool would be very useful. There's nothing like this on the Sony HDR-CX7, but the Canon HF10 has two such modes, a 'Cine' mode with an alternate gamma curve and a 'Neutral' mode that simply lowers saturation.

Color aside, we were pleased to see that Panasonic made some improvements in image quality in this latest generation. At the time of the HDC-HS100's release, the company claimed a 30% increase in resolution. We'll look at some hard-number testing in the next section, but to the eye, the new camcorder does appear a little sharper. In areas of high contrast, we saw issues with oversharpening that created a halo effect. At least under the lab conditions, the distraction was quite minor, but it did not exist in the previous generation HDC-HS9.

By comparison, the Canon HF10 produced an image that was a little less saturated. The Canon was unquestionably sharper than the Panasonic, for which the large, 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor can be thanked. Fine detail was much crisper, and there were no discernible artifacts from oversharpening. The Sony HDR-CX7 produced a pleasing color range that hit the right balance between saturation and accuracy. The image was noisier than either the Panasonic or the Canon, but at least in this light, our preference would probably be for the Sony over the Panasonic HDC-HS100.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in 24P Digital Cinema Mode at 3000 lux

We also shot the chart with the 24P Digital Cinema Mode on. The result, as you can see, is a freakishly intense array of colors. When the camcorder is in this mode, the color space is expanded to the new xvYCC standard. In order to get any benefit from this, you have to own an HDTV that supports xvYCC. Most people probably do not, unless you bought it within the last year or so.

Out of the lab, the HDC-HS100 produced video that will please a lot of consumers. The video boasts bold colors, good details in the shadows, and acceptable resolution. Upon closer scrutiny (a scrutiny that is as likely to occur with serious videographers as it is with us), the video we shot indoors and outside was very grainy. Blown up on the big screen, it almost appeared as though we'd applied a Photoshop distortion effect. For certain shots, such as the cloudy, rainy day traffic we managed, the grain was aesthetically pleasing. It was less pleasing when we shot in our offices. The grain only increased when we switched to 24P Digital Cinema Mode.

The 30% improvement in input level that Panasonic stated in at the HS100's release does seem to have some merit. We shot some extremely high contrast shots, and the camcorder was able to salvage information from both bright and shadowy areas.

Overall, the edges were generally sharp, but anything less than ideal light produced a lot of grain. No matter what the light, colors were always relatively strong. Point-and-shooters will find the video quality satisfactory. Experienced videographers and those with a critical eye may take issue with the graininess. However, there are a number of elements, such as the dynamic range and low light sensitivity, that we liked. In summary, the Panasonic HDC-HS100 is not perfect, but it's solid.

Video Resolution*(18.0)*

The video resolution of the Panasonic HDC-HS100 was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light. We then watched the playback footage on an HD monitor. Ultimately, we found the HDC-HS100 to produce a horizontal resolution and a vertical resolution of 600 line widths each. This was, in fact, exactly the same result that we found with the previous generation HDC-HS9, despite the fact that Panasonic claimed the new sensors would increase resolution by as much as 30%. Oh well. By comparison, the Sony HDR-CX7 did not score quite as well. The Canon HF10 scored much better.

Low Light Performance* (5.62)
*
ADDENDUM: Due to a firmware upgrade that Panasonic released after our initial review of the Panasonic HDC-HS100, we were obliged to retest the performance of low light and image stabilization. The scores have been adjusted accordingly and the new results are detailed below. Panasonic has stated that the firmware upgrade occurred *before *the HDC-HS100 was shipped from the factory, so these results should apply to any and all models.

The low light performance of the Panasonic HDC-HS100 was tested in three stages. First, we shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux, then compared the results to other camcorders under the same conditions.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in auto mode at 60 lux

At 60 lux, the HDC-HS100 showed an overall improvement since the previous generation HDC-HS9. While the image lost a lot of color information (compared to the bright light testing), the video was brighter than the HS9, and the color retention was a little better. We were pleased to see that the switch from a CCD to a CMOS sensor and the upgraded processor had a positive benefit for apparent noise reduction (meaning how the noise looks). No, the image certainly doesn't look noise free. In fact, there's a distinct graininess. But the noise appears to be of a finer grain than the CCD-based Panasonics, and there is very little interference with fine detail. The HS9 lost a lot of fine detail to noise.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 with a +15dB gain at 60 lux

We also looked at the chart at 60 lux with the gain manually boosted. In auto mode at this light, the aperture was fully opened and the gain was automatically raised to +15dB. We boosted it to +18dB. You can see that this made the image brighter, but it did nothing to improve color. This should be reassuring, because it indicates that the auto mode knew when to leave well enough alone.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in 24P Digital Cinema Mode at 60 lux

When we shifted HDC-HS100 to 24P Digital Cinema Mode, we found the quick and dirty way to boost the color saturation in low light. Of course, part of the increase in color retention is due to the slower shutter speed (1/48th rather than 1/60th). If you could just choose a 24P frame rate without the Digital Cinema Color, that would be great. Unfortunately, you can't, and the color saturation that happens in this mode is simply too much to bear. Images simply look unnatural.

What about the competition at 60 lux, you ask? The Canon HF10 was still far and away the sharpest image. The noise measured higher, according to our hard data testing, but it looks like less noise to the eye because the image is so much sharper overall. The Sony HDR-CX7 definitely looks noisier than both the Canon and the Panasonic. In terms of color retention, the Sony CX7 and the Canon HF10 were similar and both better than the Panasonic.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in auto mode at 15 lux

At 15 lux, the performance took a sharp turn southward, then crashed into a dark and terrible ocean of noise. Is that descriptive enough? Three small sensors are great for bright to adequate light, but they can't cut it in a dark room. What you need is a camcorder with a large, single sensor. Both the Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-CX7 have a single sensor like this, and both were brighter and less noisy than the Panasonic. Giving due credit, however, the Panasonic HDC-HS100 was the only one able to perform a perfect manual white balance in such a low light. Also, the HDC-HS100 still managed to produce recognizable colors at 15 lux, which is more than can be said for some cheaper camcorders, which can sometimes produce an almost monochromatic image.

Panasonic HDC-HS100 in 24P Digital Cinema Mode at 15 lux

At 15 lux with the 24P Digital Cinema Mode activated, the Panasonic HDC-HS100 looked a little better overall, but the intensity of the greens is such that the picture looks unnatural.

The second stage of the testing examines color accuracy, noise, and saturation. We shot an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then exported frame grabs to Imatest imaging software. The Panasonic HDC-HS100 produced a color error of 14.2, which was a worse score than the previous generation Panasonic HDC-HS9, the Canon HF10, and the Sony HDR-CX7. It wasn't much worse than the Sony, but everything else did a fair bit better. Because our eyes told us that the image at 60 lux looked both brighter and more color-retentive than the previous generation model, we can only assume that the error is due to the color processing. As we noted in the Video Performance section above, the HDC-HS100 produces a heavy color saturation. This may be exactly what some consumers are looking for, but not everyone. We test on accuracy, and the HDC-HS100 is apparently not very accurate in low light.

On the plus side, the noise measured a very low 0.77%. However, this score was still not better than the previous generation HDC-HS9, which scored an incredibly low noise of 0.595%. In fact, it would be hard to beat that score, but we hoped that the switch to a new sensor/processor system would make it even better. Both Panasonics produced less noise than the Canon HF10 or Sony HDR-CX7. Finally, the HDC-HS100 produced a saturation of 59.65%.

The third test measures sensitivity, or how much light is required for the camcorder to produce an image. We shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart under a steadily decreasing light. The camcorder is connected to a waveform monitor that displays exposure output (measured in IRE). We found the Panasonic HDC-HS100 could produce 50 IRE at a light level of 16 lux. This is a huge improvement over the previous generation HDC-HS9, which required 23 lux to produce the same exposure. Congrats to Panasonic on this one.

The second stage of the testing examines color accuracy, noise, and saturation. We shot an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then exported frame grabs to Imatest imaging software. The Panasonic HDC-HS100 produced a color error of 13.3, which was a worse score than the previous generation Panasonic HDC-HS9, the Canon HF10, and about the same as the Sony HDR-CX7. As we noted in the Video Performance section above, the HDC-HS100 produces a heavy color saturation. This may be exactly what some consumers are looking for, but not everyone. We test on accuracy, and the HDC-HS100 is apparently not very accurate in low light.

On the plus side, the noise measured a very low 0.76%. However, this score was still not better than the previous generation HDC-HS9, which scored an incredibly low noise of 0.595%. In fact, it would be hard to beat that score, but we hoped that the switch to a new sensor/processor system would make it even better. Both Panasonics produced less noise than the Canon HF10 or Sony HDR-CX7. Finally, the HDC-HS100 produced a saturation of 59.65%.

The third test measures sensitivity, or how much light is required for the camcorder to produce an image. We shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart under a steadily decreasing light. The camcorder is connected to a waveform monitor that displays exposure output (measured in IRE). We found the Panasonic HDC-HS100 could produce 50 IRE at a light level of 12 lux. This is a huge improvement over the previous generation HDC-HS9, which required 23 lux to produce the same exposure. Congrats to Panasonic on this one.

 

However, the camcorders that are equipped with a single, large sensor like the Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-CX7 clearly perform better in this test than camcorders with three small sensors. The Canon HF10, in particular, performed exceptionally well here.

Overall, the low light performance of the Panasonic HDC-HS100 is improved over previous generations. The sensor/processor overhaul did not have much of an effect on color or noise improvement, but we did see small gains in fine detail resolution and a huge boost in sensitivity.

Stabilization* (6.81)*

ADDENDUM: Due to a firmware upgrade that Panasonic released after our initial review of the Panasonic HDC-HS100, we were obliged to retest the performance of low light and image stabilization. The scores have been adjusted accordingly and the new results are detailed below. Panasonic has stated that the firmware upgrade occurred *before *the HDC-HS100 was shipped from the factory, so these results should apply to any and all models.

The HDC-HS100 is equipped with Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Typically, Panasonic has one of the best OIS systems on the market, and at one point all of its camcorders featured the advanced shake reduction system. The HDC-HS100, however, yielded entirely different and discouraging results.

We tested the HDC-HS100’s shake reduction efficiency at two speeds: Speed One and Speed Two. Speed One is similar to typical stationary handheld shake while Speed Two emulates more of a bumpy car ride or light run down the street with the camcorder in hand. At Speed One, the HDC-HS100 displayed a sad 33.33-percent shake reduction and a 46.15-percent shake reduction at Speed Two. We're not sure what factors came into play to cause such a drastic change from the HDC-HS9's stellar performance, but Panasonic needs to examine their steps with the HDC-HS100's OIS.

The HDC-HS100 is equipped with Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Typically, Panasonic has one of the best OIS systems on the market. The HDC-HS100 is in line with these achievements. 

We tested the HDC-HS100’s shake reduction efficiency at two speeds: Speed One and Speed Two. Speed One is similar to typical stationary handheld shake while Speed Two emulates more of a bumpy car ride or light run down the street with the camcorder in hand. At Speed One, the HDC-HS100 displayed a 71.4-percent shake reduction and a 58.33-percent shake reduction at Speed Two.

 

Wide Angle* (9.6)*

We tested the HDC-HS100’s maximum wide angle measurement using a vertical laser. The camcorder was tested with the zoom pulled back to its full wide angle position and OIS disabled. The video was then viewed on an external monitor to attain an accurate reading. The HDC-HS100 displays a maximum wide angle measurement of 48 degrees, which is identical to the HDC-HS9 and HDC-SD9.

Format

Compression* (7.0)*

Video from the Panasonic HDC-HS100 is compressed in the AVCHD format. AVCHD was co-developed by Panasonic and Sony a few years back as a means of bringing high definition recording to the popular media of DVD, flash memory, and hard drives. Until that point, the only viable option was tape and the HDV format. Tape's days are clearly numbered. Even now, tape camcorders exist on the margins of popularity, though they offer an arguably higher video quality. Unquestionably, many of our top performing camcorders in the past two years have been tape-based, including the Canon HV20, Canon HV30, and Sony HDR-HC9.

2008 showed signs of being the first year that AVCHD could compete with HDV in terms of compression quality. Of course, we cannot review camcorders strictly on compression. Our reviews look at the results of the complete system: lens, sensor, and processor. So we extrapolate based on a comparative analysis. On the whole, the results from AVCHD this year have been satisfying. The Canon HF10 and HF100 proved to be nearly indistinguishable from the tape-based HV30. Sony had similar results.

Because Panasonic never released an HDV camcorder, we can only compare year-over-year performance of Panasonic AVCHD camcorders. For details, see the Video Performance section earlier in this review. In short, it's getting better every year. Fewer blocky chunks of compression artifacting and smoother motion have been the most obvious gains. Importantly, compatibility with editing software has also increased, which is discussed in more detail in the Editing section below.

There are four quality settings to choose from on the Panasonic HDC-HS100, each of which corresponds to a maximum bitrate and a resolution. The HA setting (17Mbps) and HG setting (13Mbps) record in full 1920 x 1080 at either 60i or 24p frame rates. The HX setting (9 Mbps) records full 1920 x 1080, but only at the 60i frame rate. The lowest setting, HE (6 Mbps), has a resolution of 1440 x 1080. See the table in the next section for approximate record times.

Media* (7.0)*

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 records to two media, your choice. There's a non-removable 60GB internal hard disk drive. That should be enough room for a string of back-to-back vacations without access to a computer or DVD burner to archive the footage. However, we strongly recommend that you learn the archiving process as soon as you buy any hard drive camcorder. It's easy to get comfortable and forget that all hard drives will eventually fail, especially ones being traipsed all over the world.

The other option for recording is a removable SD or SDHC memory card. No card comes included in the box, but a number of different capacity cards are available. Below is a table of approximate recording times.

Editing* (4.0)*

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 compresses video in the AVCHD format, which is certainly not the ideal compression for consumers looking to edit video. Support gets better month by month, but it's still spotty with even big name software manufacturers like Adobe, and you typically need a powerhouse computer to work with the large, gangly files. Our strong recommendation is to do some research before you buy any new camcorder to see if you're set up to accommodate the outputted files.

The HDC-HS100 ships with the 'HD Writer 2.6 for HDC' software. This allows you to import video, perform simple editing, and output finished movies to high definition or standard definition DVD or memory cards. This is an extremely limited editing program. You can find easier and better software.

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
* Automatic Control (6.5)*

The automatic controls on the Panasonic HDC-HS100 will suffice for most shooting environments. Indoors and outdoors, in darkness and in bright light, we didn't run into any unusual issues during testing. While much may have changed entirely from the previous to the current generation of Panasonics, the algorithms for auto adjustments seemingly did not. As we saw with the HDC-HS9, the auto exposure adjustments are quick and accurate in shifting from a dark shot to a bright shot. However, something like a panning shot with gradual exposure transitions is a trickier business. The HDC-HS100 makes staggered leaps from one exposure level to the next, making a seamless transition very difficult.

The auto focus worked well, even in low light. The auto white balance often felt a little too warm or a too cool in less than perfectly uniform lighting. We found that a manual white balance was called for frequently.

A new automatic feature, Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), debuted on this latest generation of Panasonic HD camcorders. To activate, first put the HDC-HS100 in auto mode, then push the iA button above the LCD cavity. In this mode, the camcorder will automatically select from some of the Scene modes (see complete list of Scene modes at the end of this section).

We'll talk about this more later in the review, but we want to mention here what a huge improvement Panasonic has made in an already great menu system. A new feature has been added this year that scrolls text along the bottom of the screen to explain each and every feature and setting. And by god, it's useful. It's not just another bit of junk clogging up the screen. Three cheers to Panasonic and its effort to make shooting more comprehensible to the non-expert. Now they should just think about extending that courtesy to its entry-level models, where it's probably needed even more.

While the multi-function dial offers tight control over a number of shooting features (discussed in the next section), there are a number of one-touch features that give you a small level of control without requiring arcane camera knowledge. To access these, shift your attention from the large multi-function ring to the tiny joystick inside the LCD cavity. Push in on the joystick to activate the Joystick Menu. Options here include Backlight Compensation, Soft Skin mode, MagicPix (a rather drastic low light mode), and Tele Macro.

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 also offers an assortment of Scene Modes, accessed through the Administrative Menu. They include: Sports, Low Light, Snow, Sunset, Scenery, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, and Fireworks.

Overall Manual Control (8.5)

Panasonic deserves a lot of credit for this camcorder. The manual control system is truly innovative, at least for a consumer camcorder in this day and age. The professional feel is virtually unparalleled. Sure, we've seen very good handling and manual control from the now-discontinued JVC GZ-HD7 and Sony HDR-SR11 / HDR-SR12. But the Panasonic HDC-HS100 tops them all. There was clearly a lot of thought put into the operation. It's not perfect, and you can read below as we dissect each section exactly where our frustrations lie. The biggest headache is the placement of the flash, which prevents an unfettered, 360-degree turn. It seems a very stupid mistake, like misspelling your name on the SATs. One final glance before handing it in should have told you, 'Oh, wait a minute. This shouldn't be here.'

Nearly all the manual control that affects image quality can be adjusted via the multi-function ring: focus, zoom, white balance, shutter speed, aperture, and gain. As you could guess, a single control interface can't be great for every one of these functions. Strangely, the zoom control is actually the worst of the bunch, even though it would seem the simplest to get right. Instead, the action on the zoom is uneven and awkward. The focus, on the other hand, is good. The aperture (called 'iris') is amazing, with a live histogram and a spot luminance meter in the center of the screen.

It's also important to note that the ring cannot be used as a simple alternative to the joystick for aperture, gain, shutter speed, and focus. In fact, those functions are no longer controllable from the joystick at all. It's the ring or nothing.

Overall, power users will be very pleased with the Panasonic HDC-HS100.

Zoom (8.0)

Zooming can be controlled in two ways: the traditional zoom toggle or the multi-function ring. The zoom toggle is located on top of the camcorder near the rear. The switch slides horizontally along a track rather than rocking back and forth like you see on most camcorders. As a result, it can sometimes be a little tricky to get the zoom going in its slowest speed; pushing and pulling the zoom also means pushing down, which causes friction along the track.

When zooming, the LCD screen provides both the exact zoom ratio (in whole numbers) and a progress bar to give you a sense of where you are in the zoom range. This is useful if you need to duplicate a shot later.

To control the zoom with the multi-function ring, first the camcorder must be in Manual mode, not Auto. Once you're in Manual mode, zooming becomes the default function of the ring. This is indicated by a little icon on the screen reading 'Mzoom.'

We were less than pleased with the zoom operation on the ring. It's impossible to get a smooth 1x-12x crawl because of the flash placement getting in the way. In fact, getting any sort of crawl is difficult. It has a tendency to jump even when you think you're turning the ring softly. It's just awkward. Not to fear, though. The ring works well for every other function, but it's a shame it can't do a decent zoom.

Zoom Power Ratio (12.0)

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 has a 12x optical zoom, up from 10x on the previous generation HDC-HS9. It's good to see a zoom increase without a negative setback in sensor size, as is often the case.

Focus (7.0)

The manual focus is engaged by pushing down on the Auto/Manual/Focus switch, which lives on the left side towards the front. If you're in Auto mode, you'll have to pull down on the switch twice. When activated, a small 'MF' icon appears on screen.

The HDC-HS100 offers a useful Focus Assist tool (called 'MF Assist' in the menu). It's defaulted to be on when you take the camcorder out of the box, and we recommend you leave it on. It works like this: When you activate the manual focus and spin the multi-function ring, a large blue box appears in the center of the screen. Inside, you'll see a portion of your shot zoomed in to about 2x. This allows you to get a better look at the details in order to correctly gauge focus. This auto zoom and the blue box are not recorded to your final footage.

The Focus Assist tool on the HDC-HS100 is good, but we still think that JVC offers the best in the industry. JVC's system shifts your picture to black & white on the LCD, then creates a brightly colored grain along the edges of any area that is in focus. We like it because it's not dependent on the resolution of the LCD, which is usually pitiful.

Exposure & Aperture (5.64)

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 offers direct control of the aperture that can be set independently of the shutter speed, which is great for experienced users. However, there is no simple 'exposure' or 'brightness' mode that beginners may have an easier time with. The latter can be found on cameras and camcorders from nearly every other manufacturer.

To activate manual control of the aperture (referred to as 'Iris' on Panasonic camcorders), push the Cam Function button under the Auto/Manual switch on the left side. A menu pops up, and Iris is the last option. You need to turn the dial to work your way up and down the list; the joystick will not operate this menu. To confirm your selection, hit the Cam Function button again.

Iris control (Luminance target not shown)

As we mentioned earlier, you'll be pretty amazed by the default options you see on screen when you activate the aperture control. Along the lower left side of the screen is data about shutter speed, aperture setting, and gain setting. Next to that is a live histogram - great for a quick overview of exposure for the entire shot. In the center of the screen is a small square with a percentage value beneath it. This is a luminance meter, which to our knowledge is making its debut on a consumer camcorder. The purpose is to tell you what the luminance of the target is, from a range of 0 - 100%.

Because the square target is so small, its usefulness may be undermined for most shooting. For instance, if you're shooting a person outdoors, their skin might have a luminance value of 90%, but their black shirt is at 20%. Does this mean you should boost the exposure to get that shirt above 50%? No, of course not. But if you're shooting a large, even illuminated and colored surface, or if you're shooting outside and it's essential that you meter some shadowy area correctly, the tool could come in handy.

The aperture range includes: f/1.8 (Open), f/2.0, f/2.4, f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.8, f/8.0, f/9.6, f/11, f/14, and f/16. Unlike the zoom operation, the control offered by the ring is excellent here. It's unlikely that you'll accidentally go flying by the setting you wanted. 

Shutter Speed (8.1)

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 offers manual shutter speed control that can be set independently of the aperture. Like aperture, the shutter speed is controlled entirely by the multi-function ring. The settings include 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, and 1/8000. If you activate the Auto Slow Shutter option (in the Admin menu), you can have a new lowest setting of 1/30th.

Shooting in 24P Digital Cinema Color mode (details in the Other Manual Controls section below) gives you a few different shutter option in the slower end of the range: 1/24 (with Auto Slow Shutter on) and 1/48th. A setting of 1/100th of a second and faster are the same as listed above.

Shutter Speed in action

White Balance (5.5)

White balance on the Panasonic HDC-HS100 is also controlled by the multi-function ring. Settings include Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, and Manual. Making a manual white balance adjustment is so easy it's.... well, it's almost confusing. When the white balance submenu is selected, you use the ring to choose between settings. Each setting has an icon rather than simple text (which is confusing in its own right). When you dial up the Manual setting, the icon immediately starts blinking. A prompt on what to do next would be useful here, but there is none. To confirm the setting, push the Cam Function button again.

White Balance in action

Gain (6.0)

Panasonic is the only manufacturer of consumer camcorders that allows for manual control of the gain. However, gain can only be boosted if the aperture has already been opened as wide as possible (f/1.8, in this case). As such, there's no 'Gain submenu' to select. Go to the Iris settings and adjust from there. This is good, because you'll also have the histogram and luminance tool to help you meter. Gain settings are only as fine as increments of 3dB. Settings include 0dB, 3dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, 15dB, and 18dB. 

Other Manual Controls (9.0)
Histogram - The Panasonic HDC-HS100 offers a live histogram when shooting, which gives you a broad overview of the exposure levels for your shot. For those who have never seen one, a histogram is basically a bar chart. The x-axis expresses the brightness, with the lightest parts of the image at the right side, and the darkest parts on the left side. The y-axis approximates how many pixels in your shot are in brightness, shadows, or midtones. You should be aiming for most of the information to be in your midtones.

Luminance - This is a new feature for Panasonic this year, and the first time we've seen it on a consumer camcorder. It works by creating a small, square target in the center of your screen. Below that is a percentage written in whole numbers, which expresses the luminance value, falling between 0 - 100%. Because the target is so small, this tool is really only useful if you absolutely have to meter a tiny detail correctly. For large areas, the histogram and/or zebra patterns would probably work better. The Luminance meter can be set to never display, only display when the Iris (aperture) control is active, or always be displayed.

Zebra - When activated, this option creates scrolling 'zebra stripe' patterns in areas of the shot that are overexposed. This is a fairly common feature for high-definition camcorders, although we like to see more options. The HDR-CX7 and other Sony camcorders offer the option to set the threshold of the zebra patterns at 70 or 100 IRE. On this Panasonic, the threshold value is unknown.

Digital Cinema Color - This setting offers you the option to record in xvYCC color, which is the emerging color standard for high definition television. In short, it's a wider, deeper color space. This is great if you have a TV that supports xvYCC, but chances are, you don't. Unfortunately, if you record in Digital Cinema Color and you don't have one of those TVs, the picture will appear very oversaturated. We're not exactly sure why this happens, because when you try the same thing with Sony camcorders in xvYCC, TVs seem to simply discard the extra information.

24P Cinema Color - On the surface, this is a cool idea. You can record in a 24P frame rate. Great! But no. In fact, there are two problems here. First, you can't record in 24P mode without recording in Digital Cinema Color. As we explained in the paragraph above, only a select few people can take advantage of this. The second problem is that the 24P frame rate footage just doesn't look very good. The trailing is bad, and there is a pronounced stutter. See the Video Performance section for more details.

Guidelines - This feature creates lines on the LCD or viewfinder (and not on your final footage) to help you line up your shots. There are three options: the Horizontal setting creates three horizontal lines. The Grid 1 setting creates two vertical and two horizontal lines to create a 9-grid pattern. The Grid 2 setting creates a bunch of vertical and horizontal lines to create a bid old grid.

Shooting Guide - The Shooting Guide offers prompts in instances where the camcorder thinks you could use some shooting advice. They come in the form of pop-up messages that tell you to activate various features. It doesn't make the changes for you, however, taking the position that it's better to teach a man to fish that catch it for him.

*

ADDENDUM: There is an additional manual control that we overlooked in our original review of the HDC-HS100. We have included the information for Picture Adjust below and adjusted the score accordingly.

*Picture Adjust - *Within the 'Advanced' tab of the Administrative Menu, the Picture Adjust option gives users direct manual control over Sharpness, Color (Saturation), and Exposure. Each of these three adjustments may be made using the joystick to move a slider from -5 to +5. This is very similar to the Joystick menu used for setting exposure on the latest Canon models. We are grateful to Panasonic for including the feature, especially the Color adjustment, which lets us tone down the often oversaturated colors produced by Panasonic's processors. On the down side, the adjustment only offers 11 increments (as opposed to Canon's 23 increments) and is so deeply buried in the menus. Exposure, in particular, should be easier to adjust on the fly.

*

Still Features

Still Features* (7.5)
*The HDC-HS100's Photo mode has not received any significant upgrades since the HDC-HS9. Just like its predecessor, there is no distinct Photo mode on the HDC-HS100--Video and Photo options are merged together in the menus. The maximum still image size is 1920 x 1080 (approx. two megapixels). Right off the bat, the HDC-HS100 cannot compete with a typical entry-level digital camera, which averages 8-12 megapixel stills. Still images can be recorded to the 60GB HDD or SDHC cards, but only one form of media can be designated for both video and still images--you can't record video to the HDD and stills to an SDHC card. It has to be one or the other.

Since Video and Photo mode are linked together, all Manual Controls are shared. This includes the use of the new multi-function ring, which is something you won't find on a consumer digital camera. Aperture, Shutter Speed, White Balance, Focus, and Zoom are all adjustable via the Cam Function ring, which is a superior tool for advanced shooters.

Panasonic implemented a 'Face Framing' mode, which is their own version of Face Detection. Face Framing can be set to Off, Primary, and All. In Primary mode, Face Framing will adjust the exposure and color of the most prominent faces in a crowd. When Face Framing is set to All, every face will be detected and adjusted accordingly.

The HDC-HS100 has a High-Speed Burst mode that enables continuous photo capturing when the Photo Capture button is pressed and held down. A flash is embedded to the left of the lens. The flash can be set to Off, Auto, or On, and you can set the flash level to -, +/-0, and + (Low, Normal, High). The HDC-HS100 has a Red Eye Reduction feature that attempts to eliminate Devil Eyes. A Shutter Sound accompanying the Photo Capture button can be turned On or Off for that nostalgic 35mm feel. The second page of the Joystick menu contains a Self Timer that can be set to 10 or 2 seconds.

Most of the HDC-HS100's Photo options can be found in the Record Setup menu, which includes the following items:

In Playback mode, you can alternate between video clips and still images by selecting the corresponding tab. In Photo Playback mode, the menu contains the following options:

That just about rounds out the still features for the HDC-HS100. Sony and Canon offer a much higher resolution. If you're looking for an alternative to a robust digital camera, the HDC-HS100 is not the answer.

Still Performance* (8.06)*

The still performance of the Panasonic HDC-HS100 was tested by shooting an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even, bright light, then using Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the camcorder produced a color error of 7.44. This was a better score than previous generation HDC-HS9, though not by a huge amount. Of two competing camcorders, the Sony HDR-CX7 scored more accurately and the Canon HF10 produced less accurate colors.

The noise from the Panasonic HDC-HS100 measured 0.395%, an exceptionally low noise score. The previous generation of Panasonics performed well on this test, but this was significantly better. The Sony HDR-CX7 and Canon HF10 did not do nearly so well. Finally, the saturation measured 92.34%.

Still Resolution* (5.15)*

The still resolution of the Panasonic HDC-HS100 was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart at an even, bright light. We then ran the images through Imatest imaging software to determine the resolution in line widths per picture height (lw/ph). At best, the camcorder produced a horizontal resolution of 538 lw/ph - with a clipping of 0.57% and a sharpening of 6.1%. The vertical resolution measured 524 lw/ph - with an undersharpening of 12.8%.

Because the stills only measure 1920 x 1080 (a little over two megapixels) when they're outputted, Panasonic is clearly not trying to make the HDC-HS100 a viable replacement for your dedicated still camera. Competing camcorders like the Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-CX7, both of which have a large, single sensor, produced stills with a much higher measurable resolution.

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (7.0)*

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 straddles a strange line between hand-holding for beginners and controls so advanced, they're guaranteed to make the beginner run for the hills. In short, it's both easy to use, and not. Let us try to explain.

This camcorder hearkens back to Panasonic's MiniDV legend, the PV-GS400. A multi-function ring, fat batch of manual controls, accessory shoe, Mic and Headphone inputs, and viewfinder have been added to make the HDC-HS100 a contender in the extremely low budget prosumer class. This means there's no designated 'Easy mode,' at least not in the sense that Sony offers. You can set the HDC-HS100 into Auto mode, which disables all manual controls, but what happens when you need to make a slight Focus or Aperture adjustment? There are no Sony-like Spot Focus or Spot Meter functions, which allow the shooter to simply touch a portion of the screen they want to adjust.

However, Panasonic has done a fantastic job revamping the menu to offer scrolling-text explanations of every feature. Not sure what Backlight Compensation does? What about the Portrait scene mode? An explanation immediately appears at the bottom to educate you. Clearly, Panasonic wants shooters to learn more about how powerful the camcorder can be. But that very power means that there is so much to learn.

The HDC-HS100 records to either a 60GB internal HDD or SDHC cards, which are two of the most preferred forms of media on the market. HDD camcorders can connect to a computer via a USB cable and video and still files can be imported with ease. SDHC cards are compact, durable, and can hold a lot of video. However, since the HDC-HS100 records AVCHD video, you'll need a powerhouse computer with an editing program that supports the AVCHD codec.

Overall, we think Panasonic has done a pretty good job making a complex tool as understandable as it can.

Handling* (7.25)*

The HDC-HS100 called upon the fierce gods that created Panasonic's venerable PV-GS400 MiniDV camcorder. The PV-GS400 featured a multi-function lens ring, viewfinder, accessory shoe, and nearly every port imaginable and necessary at the time of its debut. The HDC-HS100 resurrected the lens ring, which governs all manual controls, including Zoom. We've been waiting for the lens ring to make a comeback, and the HDC-HS100 is the cream of the crop in terms of manual controls right now. Panasonic also bulked up the HDC-HS100 in terms of size compared to its predecessor, the HDC-HS9. There's more comfort, more tools to help image adjustment, and an alternative monitor for blaring outdoor shoots. However, Panasonic also carried over some critical design flaws that bog the HDC-HS100 down. Idiotic port placement, a small LCD screen, and a relatively cheap construction in certain areas shove the HDC-HS100 farther away from the prosumer circle.

With all the additional controls, the HDC-HS100 is only slightly larger than the HDC-HS9. Holding the HDC-HS100 in hand is strikingly similar to the HDC-HS9. The HDD enclosure acts as the main grip for the fingers, which fall slightly atop the accessory shoe cover. If you have a long pinky, it might reach the built-in microphone, so be sure to shift your hand back in order to remain in the fly zone. The index finger will align naturally with the Zoom toggle and the thumb will hover over the Record Start/Stop button. To seal the deal, Panasonic bulked up the interior of the hand strap with twice as much padding as the HDC-HS9's. The surface area of the pad was also shifted backward to accommodate the back of the hand, which was sliced by the nylon strap on the HDC-HS9. This is a comfortable camcorder to hold, which in turn will make operation a highly inviting task.

We griped about the HDC-HS9's LCD cavity Joystick. It's too small and difficult to operate due to the awkward placement. Well, Panasonic went and lopped the Joystick off entirely, embedding a round Cursor Button in its place. The Cursor Button is unlike anything in the current consumer camcorder market--it's a fusion between and Joystick and a 4-way directional pad. To operate the Cursor Button, place your finger semi-firmly on its center and move your finger in the desired direction. To select a menu option, press the center of the Cursor Button. At first, this new navigation system will take some acclimatization, but it's fairly intuitive once you get the hang of its control. Still, reaching your finger in front of the LCD screen will block your vision, which is not so desirable.

Luckily, the Cursor Button does not navigate manual controls, as that task is the responsibility of the of the multi-function ring, located around the lens. Panasonic's resurrection of this superior control is a crucial selling point for Manual Control enthusiasts and advanced shooters. The ring even controls Zoom, in addition to Focus, Aperture, White Balance, and Shutter Speed. No other current camcorder on the market can contend with this system. Operating the multi-function ring will save you tons of time and frustration. The ring shifts as smoothly as freshly churned butter and allows you to feather the adjustment speed based on how fast you turn it. The HDC-HS100 is a killer Manual Control machine, thanks to the multi-function ring.

We're also happy to see an accessory shoe, Mic and Headphone jacks, and a viewfinder. Now shooters have the option to attach an external microphone and monitor sound using headphones. The viewfinder will come in handy for outdoor shoots when the sun is casting a relentless glare on the LCD screen. The viewfinder does not pivot upward or extend outward, but it serves its purpose and will get the job done. A larger 3.5-inch LCD screen would have been a nice touch on the HDC-HS100, but its diminutive size corks that option. One detrimental carry-over from the HDC-HS9 is the erratic and illogical port placement on the HDC-HS100. Three significant ports - DC, USB, and HDMI - are all tucked within the battery chamber, so you'll need the external power adapter no matter where you go. Panasonic needs to get their asses in gear and dust off those preposterous blueprints.

Overall, the HDC-HS100 is a killer in terms of handling.

Menu* (6.5)
*The Panasonic menu system is one of the best in the industry. It's highly intuitive and well laid out, with items grouped in corresponding categories. JVC's revamped GZ-HD40 menu system is the opposite, where options are clumped into massive lists with no distinct categories or titles. The HDC-HS100's Cursor button will take some getting used to, but it's fairly easy to navigate after a little time spent shifting through the menus.

Panasonic's Administrative menu is accessed by pressing the Menu button. Shift up and down on the Cursor Button to select a different option and shift left and right to choose a subcategory or return to the previous page. The Administrative menu contains the following options:

The Joystick menu (referred to as the Cursor Button menu by Panasonic) is accessed by pressing the center of the Cursor Button. Three pages of options will appear, unlike the typical 5 pages on Panasonics with Joystick Manual Controls. The Cursor Button menu consists of the following options:

Portability* (8.25)
*Despite the addition of a multi-function ring, viewfinder, and accessory shoe, the HDC-HS100 is only slightly larger than the HDC-HS9. We're now looking at dimensions of 74mm x 76mm x 138mm (2.95 x 2.9 x 4.96-inches) and a weight of 482g (0.997 lbs.), which is mere millimeters and ounces greater than the HDC-HS9. The HDC-HS100 is not the type of camcorder that can be pocketed easily. You'll need a small camera bag with a couple pouches for cables and accessories. Since the HDC-HS100 records primarily to an internal HDD, there's no need to clutter the camera bag with DVDs and tapes. You will need to tote the AC adapter around no matter where you go, thanks to the DC jack being lodged within the battery chamber.

LCD and Viewfinder* (6.0)*

The HDC-HS100 received the same 2.7-inch LCD screen found on the HDC-HS9. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. Panasonic retained the colorful, sharp 300,000-pixel resolution, which is the highest out of any other 2.7-inch LCD screen found within the consumer camcorder market. An LCD Set function allows you to adjust the color or brightness of the screen, but that will simply alter your perception of what the image actually looks like. The Power LCD Plus feature lets you brighten the LCD screen up to two steps, but this will also interfere with attaining the most accurate shot you can manage. Just leave these settings off if you plan on making a lot of manual image adjustments. Unfortunately, each time the HDC-HS100 is powered off and back on again, the Power LCD Plus kicks in automatically. You'll have to manually disable this feature every time the camcorder is powered on, which is ultimately lame.

Panasonic added a viewfinder to the mix with the HDC-HS100. The viewfinder does not pivot upward or extend outward. The viewfinder is also devoid of a rubberized eye cup to boost the comfort factor. Despite its shortcomings, the viewfinder will come in handy on outdoor shoots when the sun is blasting a glare on the LCD screen. Panasonic added an unconventional diopter adjuster - a wheel rather than a cheap slider tab, which should facilitate tighter control. Overall, it's great to see a viewfinder on a camcorder these days. Panasonic's next step should be to add a rubberized eye cup and pivoting/extending capabilities.

Battery Life* (11.2)*

We tested the life of the HDC-HS100's VW-VBG130 rechargeable battery pack by recording continuously in manual mode with the LCD flipped open and OIS disabled. Since the HDC-HS100 has a 60GB HDD, there was no need to swap media. The HDC-HS100's battery lasted 111 minutes and 50 seconds (1 hour, 51 minutes, and 50 seconds). This performance falls short of the HDC-HS9, which lasted 117 minutes and 4 seconds. Regardless, the HDC-HS100 is an decent performer. We still recommend a couple backup batteries for longer shoots.

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (9.0)*

Some clutch upgrades were added to the HDC-HS100, nudging the camcorder further into the advanced shooter and low budget prosumer crowds. The previous generation HDC-HS9 offers a weak set of audio options with no Mic or Headphone jacks, and no accessory shoe. The built-in 5.1-Channel Dolby Digital Surround microphone is the HDC-HS9's only sound pickup, which irons the HDC-HS9 into the consumer fray for good.

The new HDC-HS100 is equipped with the same built-in Dolby Digital mounted to the top of the camcorder, though it's a square shape rather than a dome. The HDC-HS100 also has a Mic jack, Headphone jack, and a cold accessory shoe mounted on top. Now shooters won't have to rely on the camcorder's onboard audio--an external microphone can be attached via the 1/4-inch jack mounted to the front and mounted to the accessory shoe on top. Headphone monitoring greatly reduces the tendency to record sound that is too loud or soft.

In addition to headphone monitoring, the HDC-HS100 has a mic level meter that appears on the LCD screen. The level meter contains eight increments, the second to last being red in color to indicate decibel levels that are too high. Although this is a nice little tool to have, it doesn't contain enough steps for a truly accurate reading. The levels simply jump all over the place, so headphones remain your best bet. Canon's level meter offers Left and Right channels and includes far more steps for an accurate reading.

Mic Levels in action

There are three primary audio recording modes on the HDC-HS100--Auto Gain Control (AGC), Set+AGC, and Set. The camcorder automatically adjusts the sound levels in AGC mode, which is essentially just an Auto mode for sound. AGC is best suited for most situations containing unpredictable sound levels, like a parade. For harsh sounds, Set+AGC allows you to lower or raise the decibel levels in order to keep the levels out of the red zone. AGC is still functioning in Set+AGC mode, in order to reduce the amount of overall sound distortion. Set mode will allow you to record sound in its most natural form. In Set mode, all level control is executed manually, without the help of AGC. When you select Set+AGC or Set, a screen containing 2 front, 2 back, and 1 center microphone levels will appear. A decibel meter is located in the center of the screen, allowing you to adjust the sensitivity from -30 to +6 decibels.

The HDC-HS100 also has Zoom Mic capability, which enables the mic sensitivity to increase in tandem with the action of zooming in and out. This comes in handy when a subject is far away but you want to catch the audio as well. A Focus setting concentrates all sound pickup on the area directly in front of the camcorder, which is ideal for talking head interviews. Lastly, Panasonic tacks a Wind Cut feature on the HDC-HS100.

Playback* (4.25)
*In order to engage Playback mode on the HDC-HS100, shift the Mode dial to the left, selecting the green Playback option. An Index screen will appear containing a series of icons representing individually recorded video clips. In order to access stills, shift up to the top tabs with the Cursor Button and over to the Photo icon. An identical screen will appear, only with icons that represent still images. In order to select a video clip or still, press the center of the Cursor Button and it will fill the LCD screen. Playback controls are governed by the Cursor Button: Up is Play/Pause, Down is Stop/Return to Index, Left is Rewind, and Right is Fast Forward. When a clip is paused, the Left and Right actions choose Next and Previous clips. The Zoom toggle controls sound volume. In Photo Playback, Play/Pause begins and pauses a slide show.

The video playback screen. Choose your clip to view.

An Intelligent Scene Detection mode is available, which functions by automatically weeding out all scenes that the camcorder deems are unusable (poor exposure, shaky, out of focus, etc.). This is useful for scenes that were accidentally recorded while walking around, unaware that the Record button was engaged. You can also browse for scenes by Date, which will come in handy if you have hundreds of clips to wade through.

The Video Playback menu is accessed by pressing the Menu button from the Index screen. The Video Playback menu contains the following options:

Connectivity* (9.0)*

Just when we thought Panasonic's port architecture couldn't get any worse, the HDC-HS100 nullifies that theory. We'll start right off with the elephant in the room--the DC, USB, and HDMI ports stuffed within the battery chamber. On the previous generation HDC-HS9, the DC and HDMI jacks were located in the battery chamber, but we had no idea Panasonic would regress even further on the new HDC-HS100 and toss the USB terminal in with the bunch. This means you must have the AC adapter with you at all times if you want to transfer footage in the field--you cannot have the battery attached. Also, if you're in the middle of recording and the battery is about to die, you can't simply plug the AC adapter in--you have to remove the battery. Ports in a battery chamber are cumbersome and pointless--there's plenty of open real estate within the LCD cavity and on the right side of the camcorder. Check out the connectivity on the Sony HDR-SR12--that's what port placement should be.

The cold accessory shoe offers a spot for any accessory.

  The LCD cavity houses the Component and AV/Headphone jacks. These ports are secured by a sliding door that shifts up and down to open and close. This is an example of a GOOD port placement and design. The AV jack shares its home with the Headphone jack, just like some Canons. Be sure to manually switch between AV and Headphone connectivity, or you might get an electrifying blast in the ear drums when attempting to hook up your headphones. The SDHC card slot is also located in the LCD cavity, shielded by a spring loaded hatch that opens via a small Open tab. This design is strikingly similar to Canon's on the HF10.

The Mic jack is located beneath the lens and is housed by a covert plastic enclosure. This is not the burliest cover, so go easy on the yanking. You'll have to make sure your Mic cables are routed correctly so they don't obstruct the view of the lens. On top of the HDC-HS100 is the cold accessory shoe, guarded by a thick plastic cover anchored to the body via two plastic strips. Be sure not to tug hard on this cover--the strips will never slide back into the body of the camcorder--don't ask us how we know this.

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 ships with the following items:

  • VW-VBG130 Battery Pack

  • AC Adapter

  • AC Cable

  • DC Cable

  • Remote Control

  • Button-type battery

  • AV Cable

  • Component Cable

  • USB Cable

  • CD-ROM: HD Writer 2.6 for HDC

The battery life on the HDC-HS100 is fairly decent, so you'll only need a couple additional packs for long shoots. Of course, an HDMI cable is not included. You'll also want to grab a small camcorder bag and an SDHC card for extra backup.

Other Features* (0.0)**

Fades- *To bypass basic post production transitions, you can apply Faders to your video clips. Choose between black or white fade-ins and fade-outs.

*Auto Ground Directional Standby (AGS)- *You know those times when you think the camcorder is in standby mode, but it's really recording your entire foot travel route in all its jittery and seizure-inducing glory? When Auto Ground Directional Standby (AGS) mode is activated, the HDC-HS100 will automatically power off when it senses a drop from its typical upright recording position.

*Pre-Record- *To prevent missing out on golden footage, or at least the first three seconds of it, select Pre-Record. When Pre-Record is engaged, the HDC-HS100 will continuously record three second loops of video to an internal cache, in a cyclical process. When the Record button is pressed, the last three seconds of video is tacked onto the beginning of the new clip, putting to rest your fears of missing out on Punxsutawney Phil next February.

Conclusion & Comparisons

Conclusion

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 is a solid camcorder. If you want manual controls, it would be hard to find a better contender for your dollars. The company took its already formidable manual control set, including independent aperture and shutter, gain control, focus, white balance, and 12x zoom, and added a fat multi-function ring to the front to control it all. If you're an enthusiast who simply lacks camcorder experience, the interface has been upgraded to offer succinct explanations of how every feature works and when to use it.

The video performance is good, but still not the best in its class. Panasonic's switch from CCD to CMOS chips, along with a new processor, proved to increase sensitivity in low light. However, the picture was frequently grainy in less than perfect lighting. (Who among us has a perfectly lit house?) When you do have great lighting, the colors are heavily saturated. This will please a lot of consumers, but frustrate serious videographers who demand accuracy.

Overall, we really like the Panasonic HDC-HS100. There's no such thing as a perfect camcorder. The top performers this year (so far) - the Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-SR12 - both fall short of the high bar Panasonic has set for handling. So, as ever, you have to make a tough decision that factors in what's most important for you. If you decide on the HDC-HS100, you shouldn't be disappointed.

Comparisons

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
*With the HDC-HS100's new multi-function ring, well-stocked manual controls, and elaborate audio control, this camcorder is anything but inviting to the average newbie.

*

Budget Consumers

Anything over a grand is out of the question for the budget-conscious shooter who wants HD. The HDC-HS9 is much cheaper, but you get a lot less.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
*A 1920 x 1080 is still the largest image you can capture on high-end Panasonics. Sony and Canon offer a smörgåsbord of still features compared to Panasonic.

*

Gadget Freaks

Oh yeah! That multi-function ring, killer collection of manual controls, and new 3MOS imaging system is enough to set the dedicated video nerd on fire.

Manual Control Freaks

Panasonic is back on top with the multi-function ring that controls Focus, White Balance, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and Zoom. No other consumer camcorder can contend here.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

The HDC-HS100 could actually play with the big boys if Panasonic overhauled port design and bulked up the viewfinder. We'd also like the rear-mounted Joystick back. Then, of course, there's the noisy images in less than perfect light. Otherwise, a strong contender.

Meet the tester

David Kender

David Kender

Editor in Chief

@davekender

David Kender oversees content at Reviewed as the Editor in Chief. He served as managing editor and editor in chief of Reviewed's ancestor, CamcorderInfo.com, helping to grow the company from a tiny staff to one of the most influential online review resources. In his time at Reviewed, David has helped to launch over 100 product categories and written too many articles to count.

See all of David Kender's reviews

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