Panasonic HC-V700 Camcorder Review

Panasonic HDC-TM90 Comparison

With the HC-V700, Panasonic underwent a major overhaul compared to last year's HDC-TM90 camcorder. While the two models have the same lens, the HC-V700 is equipped with a brand new, much larger image sensor than the TM90. The V700 also has a few design upgrades, including a higher-res LCD, but the camcorder comes in a larger frame than its predecessor.

Here's what we saw from the new image sensor on the HC-V700 as compared to the HDC-TM90: The V700 had lower noise levels across the board, so its image looked cleaner in both bright and low light.The TM90, however, did a bit better with sharpness and low light sensitivity. We wouldn't say the V700's improvement in video performance is huge, but the lower noise levels are significant. We're unsure why the TM90 scored better in image sharpness, but we must say the difference between the two models in this category is negligible.

Controls and features for the two camcorders are also very similar. Both have the ability to record 3D video with the purchase of a separate adapter, but the two camcorders aren't compatible with the same lens adapters. Panasonic changed the connectors ever so slightly, so the HC-V700 requires the VW-CLT2 3D converter instead of the VW-CLT1 that works with the TM90. Again, the difference is negligible.

In our opinion, the HC-V700 is the better camcorder, but not by as much as we would have expected. We thought the larger CMOS chip in the new V700 would blow the TM90 out of the water, but, in reality, it didn't change things all that much. Yes, it did help the camcorder capture a cleaner image with less noise, and for that reason (as well as the design upgrades) we give the V700 the win. But, by all means, if you can buy a TM90 at a steep discount then you should get it. It's still a very good mid-range camcorder.