Panasonic VDR-M75 Camcorder Review by Nick Hyacinthe Published on Jun 16, 2005 12:00 PM

Camcorder evolution is a gradual, often sluggish process, but in the case of the VDR-M75, Panasonic has made great advancements in imaging specs. We wish the rest of the camera had not remained so stagnant. The VDR-M75 has 1/4.5” CCD with 690K effective pixels, dwarfing its parent model, the VDR-M70 (Review, Specs, $703.99)'s 1/4" CCD with its 400K effective pixels. Minor improvements have been made with a quicker starting time and Naked Disc compatibility. The DVD-RAM disc can be viewed without the plastic covering, making playback easier for the Panasonic consumer. Other than the growth in imager specs this year’s changes are geared towards ease of use.

Video Performance (6.5)
The VDR-M75 is outfitted with a 1/4.5-inch CCD, and 690K effective video pixels (1.23 MP still) positioned behind the 10x optical and 240x digital zoom lens. Panasonic has drastically increased the gross and effective pixel count from last year’s 1/4” 400K imager found in the VDR-M70, but unfortunately the zoom specs have stagnated, and are eclipsed by the VDR-M53 (Specs, $402.85)’s 24x optical 800x digital zoom lens. We saw this trend on many DVD camcorders of last year, the more advanced model taking a lower zoom.

With this boost in imager specs this year’s VDR-M75 performed better than its parent model, but surprisingly similar to its less equipped little sister, the VDR-M53. At 3000 lux this camcorder displayed crisp vibrant colors, and also got rid of most of the blue noise that can be seen on the violet/blue half of the VDR-M53's spectrum. While this noise on the VDR-M53 isn't nearly as bad as that seen on some Sony camcorders this year, it is still not desired, and its absence from the VDR-M75 is welcome. The video quality on the comparably priced Sony DCR-DVD403 (Review, Specs, $489) is far superior.

Video Resolution (13.0)
With the Panasonic VDR-M75, video footage was captured of a standard resolution chart, and stills from this video were exported to Imatest Imaging Software, with which we calculate the camcorder’s true video resolution. We tested the camcorder’s two aspect modes: 4:3 and 16:9. In 4:3 mode, the camcorder displayed approximately 417.5 lines of vertical resolution, with 311.8 lines of horizontal resolution, bearing a true resolution of 130176.5 (0.13MP).  In Widescreen mode, the VDR-M75 produced approximately 300 lines of horizontal resolution and 251.5 lines of vertical resolution, generating a true resolution of 75450.

The Front (6.5)
The front of the Panasonic VDR-M75 is topped with a 10x optical zoom lens barrel, bejeweled with a metallic silver lens cover that casts the impression of a much needed focus ring. Succeeding the ornamented lens is the stereo Microphone and a gray port cover that houses the A/V, FireWire, and Microphone in ports.

The Right (7.5)
The DVD mechanism, encased in gray plastic with silver highlights, occupies most of the Panasonic VDR-M75’s right side. This year’s side-loading DVD mechanism can use the DVD-RAM discs without the plastic cartridge, which eases the capturing and playback process for Panasonic users. A small gray strap wraps around the bottom of the camcorder’s right side. The strap’s thin appearance looked suspicious, but proved to be surprisingly strong and efficient.

The Left (7.0)
The metallic silver left side showcases most of the control functions of the VDR-M75, with flare to spare. The controls are encircled in a chromed arc, mirroring the roundness of the DVD mechanism on the opposite side. Within the circular cut, the navigation functions and the menu button are embedded in the lens barrel above the LCD. Below these is the 2.5” LCD, sheltering the camcorder’s auto and manual control functions (exposure, focus, volume +/- buttons). At the bottom of the cavern is the SD card slot, camouflaged in silver. Although the left side has a chic design, the button placement is cumbersome. The user has to push against the body of the camera in order to make manual adjustments, which could cause some jerky shooting.

The Back (5.5)
The right corner of the camcorder’s rear protrudes to the right about an inch past the battery slot. This elongated strip of real estate houses the disc eject switch and a bulging mode dial, accentuated with a red record button at its center.

The Top (7.0)
Empty space is abundant at the top of the Panasonic VDR-M75. The hot accessory shoe sits at the middle of this camcorder’s crown while the small silver zoom toggle and photo button huddle to the far right back corner.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.5)
The Panasonic VDR-M75 features the same automatic functions as its less advanced sibling, the VDR-M53. Manual control can still be had with exposure, focus, and white balance. Also, an Auto mode is available which locks these features in their automatic settings. Program AE functions can place limits on some of the levels of exposure (iris and shutter speed) tailored to specific environments.

Automatic adjustments are not too good on the VDR-M75. As on the VDR-M53, the camcorder has problems focusing quickly. Likewise, exposure adjustments have a significant lag period, though I suppose any camcorder’s automatic controls look pretty bad when you’re used to dealing with Sony camcorders all day long. White balance adjustments, however, are swift and accurate.

Overall Manual Control (3.0)
The manual control on the VDR-M75 isn’t anything special. In fact, it has stagnated since last year, and is nearly identical to that on the VDR-M53. Basic manual controls of focus, white balance, and a bundled iris and shutter speed control, labeled ‘exposure’, are available using a button underneath the LCD screen. It is a shame that Panasonic hasn’t upgraded the navigational system on their DVD line as they have on their MiniDV line. White balance, accessed by entering the camcorder’s menu system, is perhaps the most useful feature as it is generally adjusted before recording starts.

This is certainly not a "manual control" camcorder by any stretch of the imagination.

Zoom (7.0)
The zoom toggle on the VDR-M75, as with the VDR-M53, isn’t too good, though perhaps a smidgen easier to control than that on some of this year’s Panasonic MiniDV line. It is the same shape as those found on the MiniDV line, though perhaps with more defined, more grip-able teeth. This definitely does not aid the handling ease of the camcorder.

Focus (3.5)
Manual focus is accessed by pressing the focus button under the LCD screen. When pressed, an “MF” icon appears on the screen, and the user can adjust focus via the volume buttons. Unfortunately, there is no other indicator aside from the blurry (or not) image on the LCD screen for the user to gauge their adjustment. This, and the navigational constraints, renders manual focus pretty much useless.

Exposure (Aperture) (4.0)
Operated in a similar way to manual focus, manual exposure on the VDR-M75 can be adjusted using buttons under the LCD screen. While this method is still as cumbersome as the manual focus method, a small meter is provided for the monitoring of adjustments. Still, adjustment here is better left in automatic mode.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
There are no manual shutter speed controls on the VDR-M75.

White Balance (6.5)
Manual white balance adjustment is available within the VDR-M75’s menu system. Options allow for manual or automatic. Indoor and Outdoor are presets which place limits on the automatic white balance adjustment window. This is probably the easiest and most useful of the manual control functions.

Gain (0.0)
There is no manual gain control on the VDR-M75, or indeed on any of the Panasonic DVD camcorders. They can be found on some Panasonic MiniDV camcorders.

Other Manual Control (0.0)
There are no other manual controls on the VDR-M75.

Ease of Use (4.5)
The VDR-M75’s button placement is a bit cumbersome because all the manual control functions and menu system buttons are hidden underneath the LCD; making it tricky to access them and make adjustments. If you have no desire to personally control the quality of the image then this camcorder will suit your needs. Using the Panasonic VDR-M75 can be smooth and uncomplicated in full Auto mode.

Still Features (6.5)
Using the mode dial found at the rear of the VDR-M75, the camcorder can be switched to either camera or SD mode, allowing the user to capture stills on DVD-RAM disc or the SD card, both at 1280 x 960. Although the resolution at which the stills are captured has not changed from last year’ VDR-M70, the effective still pixels have increased from 960K to 1.23 MP. Beyond this, there are not too many still features available, save perhaps the incredibly high number of stills that can be captured to the DVD disc – almost 10,000.

Still Performance (6.5)
The VDR-M75 performed astonishingly well, displaying vibrant, lively, and crisp colors, with a sharp and defined grayscale. The results proved to be comparable to most 3 CCD MiniDV camcorders, which may impress and even convert 3 CCD enthusiasts. The vivid, lively colors can match that of the Panasonic PV-GS250 (Review, Specs, $1299.99).

Surprisingly, the VDR-M75’s little sister, the VDR-M53, produced slightly more potent colors, especially the yellows and greens. However, there is some evidence of blue noise marring the blue/violet side of the VDR-M53's spectrum. The VDR-M75 shows a more balanced, less noisy, and much crisper image.

Still Resolution (7.36)
The VDR-M75 is capable of capturing stills on an SD card at 1280 x 960, or 1.2 MPs in theory. Stills of a standard resolution chart were captured and exported to Imatest Imaging Software, which concluded that this camcorder produced a real resolution of approximately 735817.6875 (0.735 MP)

Low Light (3.0)
The VDR-M75 was tested at low light levels of 60 lux and 15 lux. A low light measurement of 60 lux represents a moderately lit bedroom, while 15 lux is roughly the equivalent of a bedroom lit by a one small lamp. The camcorder’s low light performance was slightly disappointing, in contrast to its decent video performance results.

At 60 lux the camcorder displays an image with fairly significant noise and slightly dulled colors. There is an acute case of bleeding (yellow hue) in the grayscale and outer perimeter of the chart. The camcorder still produced a crisper and brighter image than the VDR-M53, as well as its parent model, the VDR-M70. Also, compared to the VDR-M53, the VDR-M75 shows a slightly brighter image with less blue noise, similar to a comparison in bright light between the two models.

At 15 lux, the Panasonic VDR-M75 suffers from considerable noise and produced muddled colors. The VDR-M75 produces a slightly brighter and better image than the VDR-M53, but both display poor color representation and an all around unacceptable image. Surprisingly, last year's model displayed a noisy but brighter image with more vivid colors.

Zoom Power Ratio (10.0)
The VDR-M75 is equipped with 10x optical and 240x digital zoom, dwarfed by by the 24x optical and 800x digital zoom on the VDR-M53. The VDR-M75 has digital zoom speed options of 40x and 240x.

Wide Angle (7.6)
The Panasonic VDR-M75 displayed a wide angle measurement of 38 degrees in 4:3 mode, while the widescreen produced a width of 42 degrees.

4:3 Standard

Widescreen Mode

VCR Mode (6.75)
The Naked Disc compatibility feature has made the captured image more accessible for its user; the disc does not require a special cartridge for it to record or play on a PC. In-camera playback can be engaged by simply pressing the navigation buttons embedded on the left side of the lens barrel. A Disc Navigation feature allows the user to access any precise moment of the captured image, making viewing and in-camera edits less time consuming.

On its DVD camcorders Panasonic has still only offered compatibility with DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs. This is a shame;  while DVD-R discs can be played in conventional players, you'll need a special player for the DVD-RAM discs. Compare this with the 2005 Sonys, which have added DVD+RW compatibility, and the Panasonic’s value decreases considerably.  When will Panasonic (and Hitachi) get on board?

When using a DVD-RAM disc, the Disc Navigation feature provides the user with access to editing options such as Fading, Pacing, and Splicing. Panasonic provides the user with slightly more elaborate editing options on its MovieAlbumSE 4.1, a rudimentary piece of included editing software. The camcorder can be connected to a PC through the sheltered USB port resting at the front of the camcorder.

LCD Viewfinder (6.0)
The VDR-M75 is shipped with a 2.5-inch LCD that rotates about 270 degrees, displaying 120K pixels; it also has a 0.2-inch (200K pixels) viewfinder that extends about an inch past the battery. Unfortunately, the LCD solarizes, and cannot really compete with the widescreen LCD screens seen on some of Sony's new DVD camcorders.

Audio (6.5)
Audio can be captured with either the stereo microphone found below the lens at the front of camcorder, or with an external mic which could be used through the Microphone in port below. 16 and 12 bit audio is available, and there is a hot accessory shoe.

Handling (6.0)
The Panasonic VDR-M75 can be comfortably handled and operated. The camcorder’s thin yet durable strap can be adjusted to assist a variety of users. The zoom toggle, photo, and record buttons are situated directly underneath the user’s thumb and index finger. The zoom toggle is a bit hard to control, but still usable.

Problems arise with the awkward placement of the manual control buttons, which are hidden underneath the LCD. Accessing and engaging the focus or exposure adjustments can be tricky. The immobility of the viewfinder, coupled with the solarization of the rotating LCD, hinders the user from making fluid transitions between high and low angled shots. These problems, although cumbersome, can be overcome with time and ingenuity.

Portability (6.0)
Unlike Sony, Panasonic has not considerably tweaked the dimensions of its DVD camcorders. Those in the VDR-M series are fairly portable devices that can be easily traveled with. In contrast to matchbook camcorders that can be concealed within one’s pocket or purse, these DVD camcorders need to be properly stored in a camera bag for an easy commute.

Battery Life (6.5)
The VDR-M75’s included battery fares quite well with a recording time of just about an hour (1 hr. 4 min. 33 sec.).

Compression (5.0)
The Panasonic VDR-M75 uses MPEG2 video compression with JPEG still images.

Media (5.0)
The Panasonic VDR-M75 records to DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs. It also records stills to SD/MM card.

Editing (3.0)
Editing on DVD camcorders and with DVD media is difficult, and the user gains much more editing compatibility by using MiniDV tape. The DVD formats can usually be rudimentarily edited using the on-camcorder options or the supplied software, but all in all these options are jokes compared to the versatility that MiniDV gives you.

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (5.0)
One of the upgrades from the VDR-M53 to the VDR-M75 is the VDR-M75’s inclusion of a widescreen mode. Accessible within the menu system, this records a widescreen image to disc for playback on widescreen TVs. The image is displayed on the LCD as widescreen. Black bars are placed over the top and bottom of the image, reducing the vertical angle and expanding the horizontal.

4:3 Aspect

Widescreen Aspect

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The VDR-M75 offers no alternate Scan Rates, 24P-like effects, or anything like that.

Ports (8.0)
The VDR-M75 has all the same ports as the VDR-M53, along with an added USB port. The USB, A/V, and microphone ports are all located on the bottom of the front of the camcorder. This is a bad placement for the microphone port, as the hot accessory shoe is located towards the back of the top of the camcorder, but it’s nice to have one at all.

Other Features (2.5)
EIS -- The VDR-M75 features Electronic Image Stabilization. It’s not as good as optical stabilization, but it costs less. It can be turned on or off in the video camera mode’s menu system.

Wind Cut -- This function cuts out the lower frequencies of the recorded audio signal in order to eliminate wind noise.

Disc Navigation -- This feature, usually available on DVD camcorders that record onto DVD-RAM discs, allows for extremely easy and convenient on-camcorder visualization, and provides options for rudimentary editing and effects.

Comparisons
Panasonic VDR-M55, VDR-M75, and VDR-M95 (Specs, )
If you buy the VDR-M75 or VDR-M55 you’re getting the USB, remote controller, and included software that the VDR-M53 lacked. If you buy the VDR-M75 over the VDR-M53 you’ll get an upgraded imager (1.33 MP CCD  with 690K for video, 1.1 MP for stills). BUT, the VDR-M55 maintains the VDR-M53’s 24x optical zoom, while the VDR-M75 drops to a 10x. The VDR-M75 captures stills at 1280 x 960 while the VDR-M55 maintains the VDR-M53’s mediocre 640 x 480.

The VDR-M95 features a further advanced imager (2.12 MP CCD with 1.23 MP for video, 1.92 MP for stills), captures stills at 1600 x 1200, and has a 10x optical zoom. As far as pricing goes, the VDR-M75 is about two hundred dollars more than the VDR-M53, with the VDR-M95 over two hundred dollars more than that.

Sony DCR-DVD403
At around forty or fifty more dollars is Sony’s top of the line DVD camcorder this year, the DCR-DVD403. This big daddy ships with a whopping 3.3 MP CCD. It also includes some nice things like a widescreen LCD screen, built-in flash, and built-in surround sound. It also has good automatic control and better video quality than the VDR-M75. It almost doesn’t make sense that this camcorder is the same price as the VDR-M75, as Sony DVD camcorders have been notoriously expensive of late, but it is what it is: a better deal. There is no still card media on the Sony, however, which is something to keep in mind.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
This is definitely a point-and-shooter camcorder, like most DVD camcorders. Perhaps a better option for the point-and-shooter than the VDR-M53, this camcorder still cannot be recommended over Sony’s DVD line this year for such an audience.

Budget Consumers (3.5)
Though not the cheapest DVD camcorder, it is Panasonic’s cheapest to include things like a widescreen mode and still card media.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (6.5)
The VDR-M75 captures stills at 1280 x 960. The still quality is good like the VDR-M53’s and a ton of stills can be captured to disc. The card option is also one not offered on Sony DVD camcorders.

Gadget Freaks (2.0)
Aside from the DVD factor, this guy is pretty devoid of all gadgets.

Manual Control Freaks (2.0)
Even if Panasonic had upgraded the manual controls of the VDR-M75 from last year’s model, it would not be a manual control freak’s camcorder. DVD camcorders usually are not.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
A DVD camcorder such as the VDR-M75 is meant more for family vacations, convenient viewing of footage, and gimmicky I’ve-got-more-gadgets-than-my-neighbor appeal than for a serious hobbyist’s works.

Conclusion
The VDR-M75 has made significant improvements in some fields and remained simple and unsophisticated in others. Although Improvements such as 1.3 MP of gross pixels (690K effective video, 1.1 MP still) and the Naked Disc compatibility are welcome changes, they do not overshadow the Panasonic VDR-M75’s faults. Its Naked Disc compatibility feature does make viewing and capturing images easier for Panasonic users; it eliminates the need for a plastic cover or adapter for capturing or for playback of the DVD-RAM disc. The camcorder performed wonderfully in bright light conditions, rivaling heavyweight MiniDV camcorders such the Panasonic PV-GS250.

Considering its stellar bright light results, the VDR-M75 gave a lackluster, if not disappointing, low light performance. The images were considerably dark, and plagued with noise and dull colors. Naturally, the lower the light measurement, the more the images suffered from these ailments. That said, considering the Sony DCR-DVD403's wonderful performance and comparable price, the VDR-M75 is a hard sell.

The camcorder's negative zoom specs and cumbersome button placement don't help either. The manual control options are hidden underneath the LCD, which forces the user to fumble with the camcorder in order to make adjustments. Considering the camcorder’s poor low light performance, manual exposure adjustments ought to be utilized considerably. The VDR-M75 has its disappointments but is possibly worth consideration for its video performance. Point-and-shooters and novices would be well accommodated by this camcorder, though I urge them to look to the DCR-DVD403 for a better, equally priced camcorder.