Panasonic HDC-TM300

Motion (8.80)

Like its hard drive equivalent, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 offers the user two different frame rates for video: regular 60i and a 24p mode (called Digital Cinema by Panasonic). Digital Cinema shooting is very different aesthetically from the video recorded in 60i. As with 24p modes on other camcorders, this motion is slower and more film-like. Some consumers may think 24p video appears to be more jittery, so you’ll have to use your own personal preference to decide whether the improved low light sensitivity is worth it. More on how we test motion.

In regular 60i recording mode, the TM300 does an excellent job rendering motion, even with tricky shifts in contrast and color. A high amount of sharpness ensures that small details are resolved and the video is pleasingly smooth. There is a bit more artifacting than what you might see on the Sony HDR-XR520V or the Canon HF S100, but the motion is otherwise very similar.

The HF S100 from Canon offers multiple frame rates, including 24p, 30p, and 60i. This versatility, combined with strong results in our motion testing, make the HF S100 a fearsome contender. It showed slightly less blurring and artifacting that the TM300 did at 60i. And while it slightly outperformed the TG5 as well, it still couldn’t compete with the surprisingly smooth, clear motion recorded by the JVC GZ-X900.

Of these three comparison models, the TG5 probably demonstrated motion performance most like that of the TM300. The Sony model showed slightly more blurring, but was also smoother in its rendering of motion. Both camcorders had some trouble with compression artifacts—more so than similar models from some of the competition.

The JVC Everio GZ-X900 boasts some impressive motion performance, edging out the TM300 in just about every area. Video recorded on the X900 was smoother and showed considerably less artifacting than the top-tier models from Panasonic. At the same time, these results should do nothing to diminish the excellent quality of the TM300’s motion performance: the Panasonic records very good motion—better than most of the competition. The X900 simply stands out from the crowd. Unfortunately, this shining star of the Everio lineup does not offer alternative frame rates, such as the 24p mode available on the TM300.