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  • Introduction

  • Design

  • Front

  • Back

  • Left

  • Right

  • Top

  • Bottom

  • Size & Weight Comparison

  • In the Box

  • Performance

  • Color

  • Low Light Color

  • Noise

  • Low Light Sensitivity

  • Low Light Noise

  • Low Light Color

  • Motion

  • Video Sharpness

  • Testing Samples

  • Usability

  • Ease of Use

  • Auto Mode

  • Auto Controls

  • Handling

  • Portability

  • LCD

  • Stabilization

  • Manual Focus

  • Manual Exposure

  • Miscellaneous Controls

  • Auto Controls

  • Audio Controls

  • Editing

  • Features

  • Compression

  • Media

  • Slow Motion Modes

  • Still Features

  • Lens & Imaging System

  • LCD

  • Connectivity

  • Battery

  • Media

  • Still Features

  • Other Features

  • JVC GC-FM1 Comparison

  • Pure Digital Flip UltraHD Comparison

  • COMP 3

  • Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Introduction
  • Design
  • Front
  • Back
  • Left
  • Right
  • Top
  • Bottom
  • Size & Weight Comparison
  • In the Box
  • Performance
  • Color
  • Low Light Color
  • Noise
  • Low Light Sensitivity
  • Low Light Noise
  • Low Light Color
  • Motion
  • Video Sharpness
  • Testing Samples
  • Usability
  • Ease of Use
  • Auto Mode
  • Auto Controls
  • Handling
  • Portability
  • LCD
  • Stabilization
  • Manual Focus
  • Manual Exposure
  • Miscellaneous Controls
  • Auto Controls
  • Audio Controls
  • Editing
  • Features
  • Compression
  • Media
  • Slow Motion Modes
  • Still Features
  • Lens & Imaging System
  • LCD
  • Connectivity
  • Battery
  • Media
  • Still Features
  • Other Features
  • JVC GC-FM1 Comparison
  • Pure Digital Flip UltraHD Comparison
  • COMP 3
  • Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Introduction

Design

Front

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Back

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Left

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Top

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Bottom

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Size & Weight Comparison

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In the Box

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Performance

Color

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As is common with ultracompact camcorders, the Panasonic HM-TA1 had trouble producing accurate colors in our bright light test. The camcorder's results weren't nearly as bad as what we've seen from certain models (like the Kodak Playsport), but its colors were also much less accurate than what we're accustomed to seeing from traditional consumer camcorders. The HM-TA1 managed a color error of 6.11, while its saturation level was a solid 98.89%. More on how we test color.

The Error Map to the above right shows that the HM-TA1 handled the accuracy of blue colors very well, while greens, reds, and yellows were more difficult for the camcorder to render accurately. The color problems with the HM-TA1 are likely related to the camcorder's auto white balance system not functioning properly, which is an issue we've seen on many (if not most) ultracompact camcorders.

As you can see from the test images below, the Kodak Playsport had even more of an orange hue in its image than the Panasonic HM-TA1. This problem was clearly related to the Playsport's bad auto white balance system. The Flip UltraHD also had a similar discoloration, but its image appeared more yellow-green than orange. The JVC GC-FM1 had the most accurate colors of the camcorder in this set, while the Panasonic HM-TA1 had the most even saturation level (nearly 100%).

If you use the Panasonic HM-TA1 under normal outdoor light you shouldn't run into the orange discoloration problems that we saw in our testing (the same goes with the Kodak Playsport and the Flip UltraHD). Under certain indoor lighting, however, the camcorder had difficulty with its auto white balance system that had a negative effect on its color accuracy performance.

{{comparison_bars title="Color Score Comparison", attribute="Color Score", xLabel="Color Score"}}

Low Light Color

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The HM-TA1 had a strong showing in our low light color test, and the camcorder did a good job in low light overall. The camcorder registered a color error of 4.31 in low light and a saturation level of 91.82%. This color error score is significantly better than what the camcorder measured in bright light, which is a common occurrence with ultracompact camcorders. More on how we test low light color.

Compared to what the other ultracompact models did in low light, we liked the strong saturation levels and clean look produced by the HM-TA1. Sure, the camcorder's low light image had some blur and pixelation, but that is something we expect to see from a compact budget model. Notice how the Flip UltraHD's yellow-green discoloration carried over into the camcorder's low light performance as well as being present in its bright light image. The Panasonic HM-TA1 had none of this, and it produced arguably the best overall low light image of this set.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Color Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Color Score", xLabel="Low Light Color Score"}}

Noise

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The Panasonic HM-TA1 didn't have too much noise in out bright light test, but it still averaged more than the some of the other ultracompact camcorders we compared it to. The HM-TA1 had 0.8175% noise, which is more than the Kodak Playsport and Flip UltraHD measured, but quite a bit less than the noise-heavy JVC GC-FM1. More on how we test noise.

Of the camcorders shown above, only the Flip UltraHD lacks the ability to record Full HD video at a 1920 x 1080 resolution (it tops out at 1280 x 720, like all Flip camcorders). While the Kodak Playsport can record Full HD, its image appeared blurred in our test at times (but it still managed a decent video sharpness score). This leaves the Panasonic HM-TA1 and the JVC GC-FM1 fighting for first place among ultracompact camcorders when it comes to video sharpness. Looking at the crops above you can see that the Panasonic and JVC camcorders produced images with far more detail than the Kodak and Flip models.

{{comparison_bars title="Noise Score Comparison", attribute="Noise Score", xLabel="Noise Score"}}

Low Light Sensitivity

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The HM-TA1 required 12 lux of light to reach 50 IRE on our waveform monitor. This is an average performance for an ultracompact camcorder, but it is better than most regular consumer camcorders do in this test (including high-end HD models). The Kodak Playsport and the Flip UltraHD needed less light in this test than the HM-TA1, while the JVC GC-FM1 needed a bit more. More on how we test low light sensitivity.

Part of the reason these ultracompact camcorders tend to do well on this test is because of their fixed lenses that are usually set with wide apertures. Some of these camcorders also allow the shutter speed to drop to speeds below 1/60 of a second in low light situation, which is a feature we normally turn off in our testing. On most ultracompact models, however, this feature cannot be negated, so we must test the camcorders as is. Take a look at the sample images in the next two sections of this page (low light color and low light noise) to get a better idea of the actual low light performance of the Panasonic HM-TA1 and its comparison units.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Sensitivity Comparison", attribute="Low Light Sensitivity Score", xLabel="Low Light Sensitivity Score"}}

Low Light Noise

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The HM-TA1 averaged 1.2275% noise in our low light test, which is good, but it is also slightly more noise than we saw on the competition. Part of the reason for the TA1's extra noise is due to the camcorder's strong sharpness in low light, but we must say the JVC GC-FM1 managed to capture even more detail when you look at the crops below. More on how we test low light noise.

We like the clean, smooth image the HM-TA1 was able to capture in our low light testing. In the crops above you can see some discoloration and splotchiness, but the camcorder managed to produce a brighter image than the Kodak Playsport, a less grainy image than the JVC GC-FM1, and a far cleaner image than the Flip UltraHD. Overall, the HM-TA1's low light performance wasn't perfect, nor was it as good as a solid mid-range camcorder will get you, but it we were generally pleased by what we saw and there weren't any glaring weaknesses to report.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Noise Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Noise Score", xLabel="Low Light Noise Score"}}

Low Light Color

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The HM-TA1 had a strong showing in our low light color test, and the camcorder did a good job in low light overall. The camcorder registered a color error of 4.31 in low light and a saturation level of 91.82%. This color error score is significantly better than what the camcorder measured in bright light, which is a common occurrence with ultracompact camcorders. More on how we test low light color.

Compared to what the other ultracompact models did in low light, we liked the strong saturation levels and clean look produced by the HM-TA1. Sure, the camcorder's low light image had some blur and pixelation, but that is something we expect to see from a compact budget model. Notice how the Flip UltraHD's yellow-green discoloration carried over into the camcorder's low light performance as well as being present in its bright light image. The Panasonic HM-TA1 had none of this, and it produced arguably the best overall low light image of this set.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Color Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Color Score", xLabel="Low Light Color Score"}}

Motion

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All video recorded on the HM-TA1, no matter what the resolution, is captured using a 30p frame rate. There is no 60i mode or 60p mode in any of the camcorder's resolution options. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but we're accustomed to seeing 720/60p modes on ultracompact camcorders that offer more than one video resolution option. The HM-TA1 has four resolution options, but all of them record 30p. More on how we test motion.

Video Sharpness

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The Panasonic HM-TA1 didn't capture as sharp of an image as we saw from the JVC GC-FM1 in our testing, but it did still manage to put up some decent numbers. The camcorder's video image measured a horizontal sharpness of 700 lw/ph and a vertical sharpness of 650 lw/ph. Both of these numbers are similar to what we usually see from 1080p ultracompact camcorders. The Flip UltraHD did worse than the others in this test because it tops out with 720p HD recording.

One thing we should note is that the HM-TA1 lacks any kind of HD output terminal, so it may be difficult for some users to actually view their high definition video on an HDTV. You either have to import the video to a computer and watch it there or burn it to a disc and watch it on a TV later. If you connect the TA1 to an HDTV using the provided AV cable, your HD videos won't look very sharp—because the signal being sent to the TV will be standard definition instead of high definition. More on how we test video sharpness.

{{comparison_bars title="Video Sharpness Score Comparison", attribute="Video Sharpness Score", xLabel="Video Sharpness Score"}}

Testing Samples

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Usability

Ease of Use

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In ranking the ultracompact models in how easy they are to use, the HM-TA1 falls somewhere in the middle. It's definitely a bit more difficult than the bare-bones Flip camcorders, but it has a better designed menu than the confusing Kodak Playsport. The TA1 has roughly the same amount of buttons and features as the JVC GC-FM1, but we found the interface easier to follow with the Panasonic.

The provided instruction manual on the HM-TA1 is thick and extensive, which is probably not what most users want to see with a camcorder that is supposed to be built around simplicity. The good thing is, this manual shouldn't really be needed for most users, as the interface on the HM-TA1 is fairly intuitive and the menu is easy to understand. We do wish Panasonic had included a help or info box with the menu options on the HM-TA1 like the company does on its regular consumer camcorders.

The embedded editing software on the HM-TA1 looks a bit intimidating at first, but it is actually quite easy to use. The software, called HD Writer PE 1.0, has step-by-step instructions for assisting you with tasks like uploading video to YouTube or importing your clips to a computer. If you actually want to edit your videos the software gets a bit more difficult and confusing, but it does have quite a few features.

Auto Mode is confusingly called Dual Shot mode

Auto Mode

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Like most ultracompact camcorders, the HM-TA1 only records video with fully automated settings. Yes, you can use the digital zoom, turn on the video light, or play around with the few image effects options (Black & White, Sepia, Soft Skin), but things like exposure, shutter speed, and aperture are all controlled automatically.

In video mode, the lens on the TA1 appears to be fixed and Panasonic lists the minimum focus distance at 30cm (around one foot). In our testing, we found this focus distance to be accurate, and it is also one of the best minimum focus distances we've seen for an ultracompact camcorder (the Kodak Playsport and Flip UltraHD must be 1 meter and 1.5 meters away respectively). The HM-TA1 has no scene modes, tracking features, face detection, or special auto controls.

When shooting in low light situations, the shutter speed on the HM-TA1 will drop to 1/30 of a second, but it isn't terribly noticeable because the camcorder is recording with a 30p frame rate instead of 60p or 60i. The HM-TA1 made quick auto exposure adjustments, but we also noticed very bright parts of the image (like sunny windows or lights) were blown out and overexposed compared to the rest of the scene. Auto white balance on the camcorder also wasn't perfect, but it handled indoor lighting better than what we saw from the Kodak Playsport and Flip UltraHD.

The iAuto mode button is difficult to find, but when you do find it the option for turning on the mode looks like this.

Auto Controls

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Focus - There is no manual focus option on the TA1, but the camcorder doesn't have a completely fixed lens like you see on most ultracompact models. While taking still images, you will occasionally notice the TA1 perform a slight focus adjustment. This is essentially the camcorder moving the lens a bit (using that 1x optical zoom we mentioned above) in order to get the proper focus. We didn't see it happen during video recording, though, so it is possible that the camcorder keeps the lens fixed when shooting video.

Aperture - The aperture on the TA1 is fixed at f/2.8, which means the camcorder has no manual aperture controls as well. Having an aperture fixed at f/2.8 is common for an ultracompact camcorder—both the Kodak Playsport and JVC GC-FM1 have lenses fixed at the same aperture (the Flip UltraHD is fixed at f/2.4).

White Balance - The white balance system on the HM-TA1 is fully automated and there are no white balance preset options on the camcorder.

Handling

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Panasonic appears to have copied the design of the HM-TA1 from the JVC Picsio GC-FM1. Both camcorders are of similar proportions, have nearly identical button layouts, and the two have similar features. The big difference, however, is that JVC's Picsio camcorders have an odd, sparkling design on the front that is both distracting and funny looking. Panasonic keeps the HM-TA1 far more discreet and sophisticated (and it is available in simple colors: purple, dark grey, and red).

The button placement on the HM-TA1 is good, as everything lines up nicely with your thumb, but the design and feel of the buttons isn't anything to write home about. Still, the buttons did work better than what you get on many ultracompact models. We were more disturbed by the cheap design of the TA1's ports and covers, particularly the sliding mechanism that is used to reveal the USB connector. After just a few times using the USB slider on the camcorder, we found the mechanism stopped working properly. The USB connector wouldn't lock in place and the slider was often stuck or jammed. This made it extremely difficult to connect the HM-TA1 to a computer—even when we used the provided USB extender cable.

This may sound silly, but the mere fact that the HM-TA1 can stand upright on its own is actually a good design feature. There are numerous ultracompact models, like the Kodak Playsport and the Sanyo VPC-CS1, that have difficulty standing up on a flat surface (unless you hold them). When you do hold the HM-TA1, there isn't much in the way of grip or ribbed surfacing on the body, so you'll need to be careful and hold the camcorder with a tight grip. The body is slippery with its sleek design, and certain parts, like the silver edging, can easily attract fingerprints.

These dedicated buttons give you quick access to aperture and shutter speed controls.

Portability

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The HM-TA1 is nearly the exact same size as the JVC Picsio GC-FM1 (the TA1 is just a few millimeters taller). At 100g with its battery pack the camcorder is also one of the lighter ultracompact models we've tested, although the Flip MinoHD and the aforementioned JVC Picsio GC-FM1 are a bit lighter.

Frankly, we like the size and weight of the HM-TA1. It is definitely small enough to slip in and out of your pocket—even in your favorite pair of tight jeans—and its weight makes the cam feel more solid and stronger than the ultra-light Flip MinoHD. The lens on the HM-TA1 does protrude out from the camcorder's body just ever-so-slightly, but we doubt this would affect the overall portability of the camcorder.

LCD

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The LCD on Panasonic HM-TA1 isn't anything special and its specs are similar to what we're accustomed to seeing from ultracompact camcorders: a 2-inch screen and a 153,000-pixel resolution. Some ultracompact models have slightly larger screens than this, although all of the camcorders we used as comparisons in this review had 2-inch LCDs.

There is no viewfinder on the HM-TA1, which shouldn't shock anyone. There are also no brightness or contrast adjustment options for the LCD. Some ultracompact camcorders, like the Kodak Playsport, do have some limited brightness controls that can help calibrate the LCD for certain shooting situations (make it easier to shoot in a high-glare setting for example).

Stabilization

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Panasonic's manual makes no mention of a stabilization feature on the HM-TA1, but some press releases for the camcorder claim it to have an electronic (or digital) image stabilization system. Whether the TA1 has a stabilization feature or not is a moot point because all that matters is that there's no option for activating stabilization in the menu. Since the stabilization cannot be turned on or off, we have no way of testing its capability. The JVC GC-FM1 had a similar stabilization system that was always turned on, while the Kodak Playsport offers a stabilization setting that can be engaged or disengaged within the camcorder's menu. More on how we test stabilization.

Manual Focus

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The adjustment dial makes accurate focus adjustments easy.

Manual Exposure

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The manual exposure controls are only found on the Contour app, not on the camcorder itself.

Miscellaneous Controls

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Soft Skin Mode

Soft Skin is part of the camcorder's image effects options (the two other effects being Black & White and Sepia). Soft Skin is designed to smooth out skin tones and blemishes, but it is difficult to notice any difference when using the feature. This mode is also found on all of Panasonic's traditional consumer camcorders as well.

Other Manual Controls

The HM-TA1, like most ultracompact models, doesn't have any extra manual controls... mainly because it doesn't have any of the basic manual controls to begin with (other than zoom).

Auto Controls

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Focus - There is no manual focus option on the TA1, but the camcorder doesn't have a completely fixed lens like you see on most ultracompact models. While taking still images, you will occasionally notice the TA1 perform a slight focus adjustment. This is essentially the camcorder moving the lens a bit (using that 1x optical zoom we mentioned above) in order to get the proper focus. We didn't see it happen during video recording, though, so it is possible that the camcorder keeps the lens fixed when shooting video.

Aperture - The aperture on the TA1 is fixed at f/2.8, which means the camcorder has no manual aperture controls as well. Having an aperture fixed at f/2.8 is common for an ultracompact camcorder—both the Kodak Playsport and JVC GC-FM1 have lenses fixed at the same aperture (the Flip UltraHD is fixed at f/2.4).

White Balance - The white balance system on the HM-TA1 is fully automated and there are no white balance preset options on the camcorder.

Audio Controls

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Audio features were probably the least of Panasonic's concerns with the creation of the HM-TA1. The camcorder does have a built-in stereo microphone, though, which is more than Kodak can say about the mono built-in mic on the Playsport Zx3. In fact, numerous ultracompact models have built-in mics that only record mono audio, so the TA1 has a leg up on a bunch of the competition.

Other than its built-in stereo mic, which is represented by a small dot beneath the lens, the HM-TA1 has no manual audio controls or features. It also has no external audio inputs like a mic or headphone jack. We also didn't think too highly of the quality of the audio recorded by the device, but that is par for the course with ultracompact camcorders.

Editing

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The HM-TA1 comes with editing software loaded right on the camcorder itself. You still need to install this software, but you do so by connecting the camcorder to a computer (via USB) rather than inserting a compact disc. The software is called HD Writer PE 1.0, which is essentially a simpler version of the HD Writer AE software that ships with Panasonic's higher-end consumer camcorders (we assume the PE stands for 'Pocket Edition,' but we may be wrong). For an overview of the software that ships with this and other camcorders, see our article: Video Editing Software For Your Camcorder{{product.brand.name}}-Included-Software.htm.

Features

Compression

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Like most ultracompact camcorders, the HM-TA1 does not record using AVCHD compression. Instead, it uses the MPEG-4 codec to record both HD and SD video that are saved as MP4 files. In addition to the Full HD 1080p mode on the camcorder, there is also a 720p HD setting and a 480p standard definition setting.All of the camcorder's video modes record using a 30p frame rate.

The HM-TA1 also has a 960 x 540 iFrame option that uses a video format developed by Apple. The iFrame format is designed to work seamlessly with Apple's iMovie software and the footage should be easier to edit than regular MPEG-4 files. We don't have too much experience with iFrame, but we have seen it before on Sanyo camcorders (like the VPC-CS1). The HM-TA1 is the first Panasonic camcorder to include this option. Videos recorded in the iFrame format have square pixels and a 16:9 image that is half the resolution of 1080p. The video is not HD, but iFrame does provide 1.5 times as many pixels as standard definition. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.

Media

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The HM-TA1 doesn't contain any internal memory that can be used to store video or photos, as the camcorder's internal memory is filled up by its embedded editing software. This means you'll have purchase an SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory card to slip into the TA1's memory card slot before you can start recording video. SD and SDHC memory cards aren't very expensive these days, and SDHC cards go up to 32GB in size. SDXC cards are currently available in capacities up to 64GB, but they are very expensive.

Panasonic recommends using SD cards of at least 512MB capacity for video recording, but that shouldn't be much of a problem considering most new cards are 1GB in size or larger. The maximum recording time for a single clip is 29 minutes and 59 seconds when using the 1080p, 720p, or 480p record modes. The iFrame setting cannot record a single file that is larger than 4GB (roughly 20 minutes of record time). The record time table below is based on Panasonic's rough estimates for each record setting and the size of memory card being used. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Slow Motion Modes

Still Features

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To take still images on the HM-TA1 you simply press down on the shutter button (represented by a camera icon) and the camcorder will snap a photo. Strangely, the HM-TA1 seems to have a slight autofocus mechanism when it takes still photos, and you can see this in action when you press halfway down on the shutter button (the camcorder will do a quick focus adjustment). We never noticed this autofocus system in video mode, but we saw it every time we captured a still photo. You cannot capture still photos during recording on the HM-TA1.

Panasonic claims the HM-TA1 can take 8-megapixel photos at a 3264 x 2448 resolution, which is partially true, but photos of that size taken with the camcorder are interpolated. The TA1 has an effective pixel count of roughly 5 megapixels for still images, which means those 8-megapixel photos are really 5-megapixel images that are blown up to a larger size. The other photo options on the camcorder are much smaller, and they include a couple of 2-megapixel options (1920 x 1080 and 1600 x 1200) as well as a 640 x 480 VGA size option.

Even though the 8-megapixel setting is interpolated, it is the only photo setting on the camcorder that takes full advantage of the TA1's effective pixel count. We recommend using it over the two smaller photo settings, otherwise you're wasting those extra pixels on the camcorder's sensor. Other than these photo size options, the only still image feature on the TA1 is the ability for the camcorder to capture photos from recorded video during playback (the still image will be the same resolution as the recorded video).

The HM-TA1 had reasonably good color accuracy in our still image testing. The camcorder measured a color error of 4.03 and a saturation level of 105.7%. This color error score is a bit better than what the camcorder did on our bright light video test, which is quite impressive.

There was a bit of a warm tone on the HM-TA1's still image, but it wasn't as prominent as what we saw from the Kodak Playsport or the JVC GC-FM1. The TA1's discoloration also wasn't as strong as it was in the camcorder's bright light video testing (hence its better color accuracy in this test).

The HM-TA1 did better than average in our still noise test, with the camcorder registering 0.79% noise. This is statistically identical to the amount of noise the camcorder measured in our bright light noise test (0.8175%).

Compared to what we usually see from ultracompact camcorders in this test, the Panasonic HM-TA1 put up some strong numbers in the still sharpness category. In the camcorder's still images we measured a horizontal sharpness of 1369 lw/ph with 13% oversharpening and a vertical sharpness of 1329 lw/ph with 22.5% oversharpening. While these numbers are by no means fantastic, they are quite good when you pit them against the competition. Both the Kodak Playsport and the JVC GC-FM1, for example earned scores of zero in this test because their still sharpness results were essentially pitiful. With the HM-TA1 you can be confident that your still images will be fairly sharp with good color accuracy and low noise.

Lens & Imaging System

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The lens on the HM-TA1 has a few quirks that we're not quite sure what to make of. First of all, the lens appears to be fixed in video mode with a minimum focus distance of just under one foot (30cm). This is a lot better than the Playsport and Flip UltraHD, both of which need to be over 3 feet away (one meter) from a subject in order for it to be in focus. The JVC GC-FM1 had its own problems with focus distance, but it tried to deal with that issue by implementing a macro switch for shooting close-up images (we didn't like this fix, as it made things more confusing for beginners).

In photo mode the HM-TA1's lens seems to perform a minor focal adjustment, which makes us think that the lens isn't entirely stationary. Panasonic does list the camcorder as having a 1x optical zoom, but we're not entirely sure what that means exactly. The CMOS sensor inside the HM-TA1 is roughly the same size as the sensor found in Panasonic's excellent mid-range HD models (like the HDC-HS60).

LCD

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The LCD on Panasonic HM-TA1 isn't anything special and its specs are similar to what we're accustomed to seeing from ultracompact camcorders: a 2-inch screen and a 153,000-pixel resolution. Some ultracompact models have slightly larger screens than this, although all of the camcorders we used as comparisons in this review had 2-inch LCDs.

There is no viewfinder on the HM-TA1, which shouldn't shock anyone. There are also no brightness or contrast adjustment options for the LCD. Some ultracompact camcorders, like the Kodak Playsport, do have some limited brightness controls that can help calibrate the LCD for certain shooting situations (make it easier to shoot in a high-glare setting for example).

Connectivity

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Even for an ultracompact camcorder, the connectivity features on the Panasonic HM-TA1 are limited. There's no HDMI or Component output, which means you can't connect the camcorder to an HDTV and watch your videos in high definition. There is an AV-out port, though, but connecting the HM-TA1 to an HDTV with this connection will make your videos look murky and low-quality—nothing like what you'd get from a solid HDMI connection. We're surprised at this omission by Panasonic, as most new ultracompact models come with an HDMI terminal (and many lack an AV-out port instead).

You can, of course, watch your videos in HD on a computer by importing them via USB. The USB arm is built into the HM-TA1 and it slides out of the left side of the camcorder. Having a USB connection built into the camcorder is a good idea, and it has definitely worked well with the Flip camcorders, but we really don't like the design of the TA1's USB arm. It barely protrudes from the body of the camcorder, which makes it difficult to connect to a computer, and its flimsy plastic cover is constantly in the way. We also don't like the design of the slider mechanism. We found it difficult to use and it never seemed to lock into place. Also, after a few days of playing around with the camcorder, the slider mechanism for the USB stopped locking in place (which is another way of saying that it broke).

To make up for the poor design of its built-in USB arm, the HM-TA1 ships with a USB extender cable that helps with attaching the camcorder to a computer. We like this accessory cable, but we'd rather have a better design on the built-in USB arm instead. To charge the HM-TA1 you must connect the camcorder to a powered computer via USB. You can charge the camcorder by connecting to a computer using the USB extender cable, but we found that charging didn't always initiate when we did this. We had the best luck by connecting the built-in USB slider right into a computer's USB port.

The memory card slot and rechargeable battery are both located on the right side of the camcorder, behind a sliding port cover. The cover is flimsy and is tethered to the camcorder by a thin piece of flexible plastic. Come to think of it, all of the port covers on the HM-TA1 feel rather cheap and we don't really like the design on any of them.

Battery

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The battery pack that comes with the HM-TA1 is both removable and rechargeable (by connecting the camcorder to a computer via USB). In our battery life test, the fully-charged pack lasted for roughly 91 minutes (1 hour, 31 minutes, 11 seconds), which puts the camcorder in the middle of the road compared to other ultracompact models.

We like the fact that the TA1 comes with a rechargeable battery, but we don't like that you have to connect the camcorder to a computer in order to charge it. The camcorder does come with a USB cable extender that can assist you with connecting it to a computer, but Panasonic recommends—perhaps dubiously—that you don't use any other type of USB cables with the HM-TA1 for fear of them not working properly. There is no DC-input on the HM-TA1 either, so once the battery is depleted you have no way of using the camcorder until it is recharged (or if you have a spare battery at your disposal that's charged and ready to go).

Media

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The HM-TA1 doesn't contain any internal memory that can be used to store video or photos, as the camcorder's internal memory is filled up by its embedded editing software. This means you'll have purchase an SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory card to slip into the TA1's memory card slot before you can start recording video. SD and SDHC memory cards aren't very expensive these days, and SDHC cards go up to 32GB in size. SDXC cards are currently available in capacities up to 64GB, but they are very expensive.

Panasonic recommends using SD cards of at least 512MB capacity for video recording, but that shouldn't be much of a problem considering most new cards are 1GB in size or larger. The maximum recording time for a single clip is 29 minutes and 59 seconds when using the 1080p, 720p, or 480p record modes. The iFrame setting cannot record a single file that is larger than 4GB (roughly 20 minutes of record time). The record time table below is based on Panasonic's rough estimates for each record setting and the size of memory card being used. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Still Features

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To take still images on the HM-TA1 you simply press down on the shutter button (represented by a camera icon) and the camcorder will snap a photo. Strangely, the HM-TA1 seems to have a slight autofocus mechanism when it takes still photos, and you can see this in action when you press halfway down on the shutter button (the camcorder will do a quick focus adjustment). We never noticed this autofocus system in video mode, but we saw it every time we captured a still photo. You cannot capture still photos during recording on the HM-TA1.

Panasonic claims the HM-TA1 can take 8-megapixel photos at a 3264 x 2448 resolution, which is partially true, but photos of that size taken with the camcorder are interpolated. The TA1 has an effective pixel count of roughly 5 megapixels for still images, which means those 8-megapixel photos are really 5-megapixel images that are blown up to a larger size. The other photo options on the camcorder are much smaller, and they include a couple of 2-megapixel options (1920 x 1080 and 1600 x 1200) as well as a 640 x 480 VGA size option.

Even though the 8-megapixel setting is interpolated, it is the only photo setting on the camcorder that takes full advantage of the TA1's effective pixel count. We recommend using it over the two smaller photo settings, otherwise you're wasting those extra pixels on the camcorder's sensor. Other than these photo size options, the only still image feature on the TA1 is the ability for the camcorder to capture photos from recorded video during playback (the still image will be the same resolution as the recorded video).

The HM-TA1 had reasonably good color accuracy in our still image testing. The camcorder measured a color error of 4.03 and a saturation level of 105.7%. This color error score is a bit better than what the camcorder did on our bright light video test, which is quite impressive.

There was a bit of a warm tone on the HM-TA1's still image, but it wasn't as prominent as what we saw from the Kodak Playsport or the JVC GC-FM1. The TA1's discoloration also wasn't as strong as it was in the camcorder's bright light video testing (hence its better color accuracy in this test).

The HM-TA1 did better than average in our still noise test, with the camcorder registering 0.79% noise. This is statistically identical to the amount of noise the camcorder measured in our bright light noise test (0.8175%).

Compared to what we usually see from ultracompact camcorders in this test, the Panasonic HM-TA1 put up some strong numbers in the still sharpness category. In the camcorder's still images we measured a horizontal sharpness of 1369 lw/ph with 13% oversharpening and a vertical sharpness of 1329 lw/ph with 22.5% oversharpening. While these numbers are by no means fantastic, they are quite good when you pit them against the competition. Both the Kodak Playsport and the JVC GC-FM1, for example earned scores of zero in this test because their still sharpness results were essentially pitiful. With the HM-TA1 you can be confident that your still images will be fairly sharp with good color accuracy and low noise.

Other Features

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LED Light

The HM-TA1 has a small LED light built into its front, and it can be turned on and off using the dedicated 'light' button on the back of the camcorder. The light will allow you to record video in total darkness, but it only has a range of one or two feet. Video recorded with the light turned on also had a slight blue tone, probably caused by the color temperature of the LED light itself.

Image Effects

When you press the left and right d-pad buttons before you start recording, four small image effects icons appear on the screen. The first three icons are represented by color palettes and they are Black & White, Normal, and Sepia. The last effect is Soft Skin Mode, which is represented by a smiling face icon. These image effects are almost always found on traditional camcorders, but it is actually a unique feature for an ultracompact model to have.

Web Cam

You can setup the HM-TA1 to work as a webcam on a computer for purposes of video-chatting with a program like Skype. You just need to connect the camcorder to a computer via USB and turn on the webcam option on the camcorder itself. Panasonic doesn't say whether the TA1 will work as a webcam with new Panasonic HDTVs (many of which are Skype compatible).

JVC GC-FM1 Comparison

We're very fond of the Kodak Playsport for two strong reasons: a) it's waterproof, and b) it costs less than $150. Even though the Playsport wasn't the best performer in our testing, we still think it is one of the strongest ultracompact camcorders on the market for those reasons. Its waterproof design means you can bring it almost anywhere without having to worry about damaging the goods, and the rubbery material that coats the camcorder's body makes for a good gripping surface. Both of these factors give the Playsport a big advantage over the HM-TA1.

The Panasonic HM-TA1 did best the Playsport on a few of our tests—and it had a better auto white balance system—but we feel that performance isn't the most important trait for these ultracompact camcorders to be measured by. Besides, the Kodak Playsport held its own in our low light and video sharpness tests, so even when it comes to performance it may be the stronger model than the Panasonic HM-TA1. Both of these camcorders have numerous recording options and a few special features, which means that neither of them are as simple or easy to use as a Flip camcorder.

If you're looking for a rugged, go-anywhere camcorder that can still fit into your pocket, you should take a serious look at the Kodak Playsport. If you're more concerned about performance, or if you want a lighter, sleeker model, then the Panasonic HM-TA1 may be the better choice. We just happen to think durability is a strong issue with pocket cams, and the Kodak Playsport is the clear front-runner in that category (although JVC's new waterproof Picsio GC-WP10 may give it a run for its money).

Pure Digital Flip UltraHD Comparison

The JVC Picsio GC-FM1 wowed us with good color accuracy in both bright and low light, as well as strong numbers in our video testing overall. Most impressive was the camcorder's video sharpness performance, which was one of the best we've seen from an ultracompact model. Where the FM1 failed, however, was in handling. Like the HM-TA1, the GC-FM1 had some shoddy design flaws that we noticed after using the camcorder only a few times.

Our main problem was the fact that the GC-FM1 couldn't focus an entire image—a problem we attributed to the macro focus switch not functioning properly. The left side of the video image would often appear out of focus during our testing, which is simply unnacceptable, even for a cheap pocket camcorder. The Picsio GC-FM1 is also a bit on the expensive side with its $199 price tag (that's $30 more than the HM-TA1).

The HM-TA1 and the GC-FM1 have very similar shapes, weights, and button layouts, but Panasonic seems to have done a better job overall in teh design department. The TA1 feels stronger and its buttons feel better than what the GC-FM1 offers. We don't think either of these camcorders are among the best in their class, but the Panasonic HM-TA1 is definitely the better camcorder of the two.

But hold your horses... JVC recently announced an update to its Picsio line with the GC-FM2 and the waterproof GC-WP10. Both feature 3-inch touchscreen LCDs and a host of new features and designs. Hopefully JVC worked out the kinks and the second-generation Picsio camcorders will be a whole lot better than the first.

COMP 3

Flip camcorders have been the dominating force in the ultracompact market since their launch a few years ago. The Flip UltraHD is one of the better offerings from the company, although it is also one of the largest of the Flip models. It has 8GB of internal memory, a built-in USB arm, and it can run on regular AA batteries (the camcorder comes with two rechrageable AA batteries as well).

Compared to the Panasonic HM-TA1, the Flip UltraHD is very limited in terms of features. It has only one record mode (720p) and it has no still features to speak of. Despite the fact that the Flip UltraHD tops out with 1280 x 720 recording, the camcorder still did fairly well on our tests. The Panasonic HM-TA1 may have done stronger overall, but the two were very close.

It may not look like it, but the Flip UltraHD actually has a more rugged design than the Panasonic HM-TA1. While the Flip's built-in USB arm may look gimmicky and breakable, we had no problems with it during our time with the camcorder (except for the fact that it can be a pain to connect to a computer). The sliding USB connector on the HM-TA1, however, stopped functioning properly after just a few uses.

The Flip UltraHD is the perfect camcorder for anyone who doesn't want to get bogged down with settings or options. You won't have much individual control over your videos, but you'll be able to record them with ease and upload them to YouTube with no problem. Heck, you don't even have to worry about memory cards with the Flip UltraHD. Even though it costs a bit more than the HM-TA1, we think the Flip UltraHD is the better choice for beginners and technophobes alike.

Conclusion

Panasonic seems to have waited a bit too long to enter the ultracompact camcorder market with the HM-TA1 ($169 MSRP). With the market already clogged with similar camcorders, the HM-TA1 fails to bring any truly exciting features into the conversation.

The primary marketing point for the TA1 is its compatibility with Skype: you can plug it into your computer and use it as a webcam. Webcams have been commercially available to the public for over ten years, making the TA1 a mere hybrid camcorder/webcam that works with Skype better than most.

Other manufacturers, like Flip, JVC, Kodak, and Sony, have all moved onto their second or third-generation ultracompact models, while the HM-TA1 is Panasonic's first venture into the field. Since Panasonic waited so long to enter the ultracompact camcorder market, it seems surprising that they didn't entice consumers with more than Skype and iFrame.

Given that Panasonic has been creating some excellent high-end and mid-range camcorders the past couple of years, we expected the HM-TA1 to at least deliver the goods when it came to our performance testing. The camcorder definitely did a good job in many categories, but its overall results weren't any better than the competition. This leaves us with almost no reason to purchase the HM-TA1 over the many other good ultracompact models that are available.

We're getting a bit tired of seeing Flip-imitation products that offer nothing special to entice consumers, and that's basically what the HM-TA1 is. It's not a terrible camcorder, but it's something we've seen too many times before. Panasonic has done an excellent job with innovation on its high-end camcorders, but it failed to do so with its first foray into the ultracompact budget camcorder market.

{{photo_gallery "Front Photo", "Left Photo", "Left Open Photo", "Back Photo", "Right Photo", "Top Photo", "Bottom Photo", "Lens Photo", "Lens Photo 2", "3D Lens Photo", "Media Photo", "Easy Mode Photo", "Manual Controls Photo", "Zoom Photo", "Zoom Photo 2", "Ease of Use Photo", "Battery Photo", "LCD Photo 1", "LCD Photo 2", "EVF Photo 1", "EVF Photo 2", "Mic Photo", "Mic Photo 2", "Ports Photo 1", "Ports Photo 2", "Ports Photo 3", "Ports Photo 4", "Ports Photo 5", "Ports Photo 6", "Handling Photo 1", "Handling Photo 2", "Handling Photo 3", "Handling Photo 4", "Box Photo"}}

Meet the tester

Jeremy Stamas

Jeremy Stamas

Managing Editor, Video

@nematode9

Jeremy is the video expert of our imaging team and Reviewed.com's head of video production. Originally from Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he graduated from Bard college with a degree in film and electronic media. He has been living and working in New England since 2005.

See all of Jeremy Stamas's reviews

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