Panasonic HDC-HS100 Camcorder Review

by David Kender
Published on Jul 24, 2008 8:57 AM

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


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

Panasonic HDC-HS9
Some monumental changes have risen from the Panasonic labs after the HDC-HS9 ($1,099 MSRP) went under the knife. First off, the imaging system morphed from three single CCDs to three CMOS chips that manage to crank out a little more resolution per sensor. The result is the best looking video from a Panasonic HD camcorder yet, but not by much. Canon and Sony still rule the roost in terms of video quality. How could the HDC-HS100 contend otherwise? With the best Manual Control interface in the biz: the multi-function dial with full manual control support, including Zoom. Panasonic also thew a Mic jack, Headphone jack, and accessory shoe on the HDC-HS100, placing the camcorder at the head of the pack for advanced shooters.

The HDC-HS100 also gains a viewfinder and slightly revamped ergonomics with the hand strap. On the downside, Panasonic still retained the preposterous port placement and left the LCD screen devoid of any controls. Also, the new Cursor Button beats out the HDC-HS9's minuscule LCD Joystick, but we'd like Panasonic to bring back the rear-mounted Joystick. Advanced shooters and Manual Control fanatics will drool over the HDC-HS100, and for a mere $200 more, the HDC-HS100 is a lot more camcorder than its consumer-geared predecessor.
   

Sony HDR-SR11
There's not much a camcorder can do to contend with the Sony HDR-SR11 ($1,199 MSRP). It's big, sexy, and handles like a Rolls Royce. The HDR-SR11 has a single 1/3.15-inch ClearVid CMOS chip with a 3,200,000 gross pixel count that attributes to a beautiful picture in bright and low light. The HDC-HS100 just couldn't keep up in terms of video performance. The HDR-SR11 also has a stellar still features set, including images that can reach 10MP (interpolated). Both camcorders record to a 60GB HDD with memory card capability.

As far as manual controls, the HDR-SR11 has a multi-function Cam Control dial, though it's smaller and less accessible than the HDC-HS100's new multi-function ring. The HDR-SR11's port placement is out of this world, utilizing covert shields and sliding covers in the most opportune locations. The HDC-HS100 is abominable when it comes to port placement and we'll leave it at that. The HDR-SR11 is bigger, but feels sturdily built in hand. The pivoting viewfinder is a nice touch, in addition to the massive 3.2-inch LCD screen. For $100 less than the HDC-HS100, the HDR-SR11 is the better deal.
   

Canon HF10
The Canon HF10 ($1,099 MSRP) is another unruly character you wouldn't want to come face to face with in a bar if you were the HDC-HS100. Canon imaging is untouchable this year, and there's nothing the HDC-HS100's 3MOS system can do to intimidate the HF10's 1/3.2-inch CMOS chip with 3,030,000 pixel count. Canon simply outperformed the HDC-HS100 in both bright and low light.

Both camcorders are equipped with Mic and Headphone jacks, though the HF10 has a hot shoe while the HDC-HS100 is stuck with a cold shoe. Manual Controls are about the same, though the HDC-HS100's new multi-function ring is the interface to beat--if only Canon implemented a lens ring. The HF10 is also devoid of a viewfinder and is not quite as comfortable to hold as the HDC-HS100. In addition, the HF10 can only record to 16GB of internal Flash memory, compared to the HDC-HS100's 60GB HDD.

This is a tough one--those who hold image quality at the top of the priority list will want the HF10. Manual control freaks will lean towards the HDC-HS100. However, the HF10 is $200, making it the better deal.
   

JVC GZ-HD40
We just finished running the JVC's new GZ-HD40 ($1,299 MSRP) through the gamut, and it looks as though Panasonic and JVC are fairly matched here in terms of video performance. The GZ-HD40 has a single 1/3-inch CMOS chip that offers an image that's right on par with the HDC-HS100's. The GZ-HD40 has a few tricks up its sleeve, though: the ability to record in either MPEG-2 TS or AVCHD formats, with a max bitrate of 26Mbps in MPEG-2 TS. The GZ-HD40 can also support 60P playback, only through HDMI.

As far as advanced handling, the HDC-HS100 has the GZ-HD40 beat. That multi-function ring, viewfinder, and revamped hand strap attribute to a much better handling experience. The GZ-HD40's LCD Joystick is preferable over the HDC-HS100's Cursor Button, but its battery life cannot match. These are two camcorders that still need some fine-tuning and enhanced video at equal price tags. Why settle for either one while the Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-SR11 are cheaper?  

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.



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