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Panasonic SDR-H200 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 3, 2007 5:00 PM
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Audio (3.5)
The SDR-H200 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $569.00) features a built-in stereo zoom microphone mounted to the front of the camcorder. This is an optimal placement given the SDR-H200’s compact size. If the mic was mounted to the top, it would most likely be prone to sound muffling due to an overlapping pinky or ring finger. The SDR-H200’s mic features a zoom function, which is linked to the camcorder’s standard zoom. When zooming the picture in or out, the mic increases or decreases gain to provide a more balanced, clear audio recording. In addition, the SDR-H200 is equipped with a wind cut function that reduces the sting of heavy decibels.
Unfortunately, the SDR-H200 does not feature a mic jack, headphone jack, or hot shoe. For a point-and-shoot of this caliber, this is no surprise. Panasonic’s first AVCHD models, the flash-based HDC-SD1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99) and DVD-based HDC-DX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99), offer advanced audio level and gain control, in addition to a mic jack. The HDC-DX1 even features a cold shoe. Panasonic’s top HDD model should serve up a much fuller plate in the audio department. In contrast to the SDR-H200’s top notch manual controls, the camcorder’s point-and-shoot audio appetizers are not fulfilling.
Playback (4.25)
Playing back recorded video clips and stills on the SDR-H200 is done by shifting the mode dial to either the video playback or camera playback icons. A screen containing up to eight thumbnails representing individual video clips or stills will appear. In order to access a recorded video clip or still, scroll with the joystick to the clip or image you want to play back and press the center of the joystick to select it. The clip or still will appear within the entirety of the LCD screen. Playback controls are governed by the joystick. Just like the quick Joystick menu in video or Camera mode, pressing the center of the joystick during playback cues a small circular menu containing rewind, fast forward, stop, and play/pause controls. When illumination is activated, a rectangular blue light appears, coinciding with individual playback controls.
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From the clip/image thumbnail screen, the Administrative menu can be accessed by pressing the menu button. Here, a list of five options appears: Delete, Play Setup, Media Select, Setup, and Language. Delete allows you to delete all or select which clips or images you wish to delete. Play setup is composed of Play mode, resume play, lock set, and playlist. Media select lets you choose between HDD and SD card recording. Setup is identical to the Setup menu in Video mode, in addition to Language. In Camera mode, there is a picture setup option that includes lock set and copy settings.
Connectivity (5.0)
The SDR-H200’s quizzical port layout left us with a large dose of bewilderment. In back, the SDR-H200’s AV terminal hides behind a massive, covert plastic enclosure that camouflages itself a bit too well. When you finally realize that the large arced sheet of plastic is a port cover, you’ll have to pry it open from the left side. Here, you’ll find the AV jack mounted within a whole lot of bare real estate. Now, you’re probably wondering where Panasonic put the USB and DC terminals, seeing as the rest of the SDR-H200 is relatively bare. Well, slide the battery pack off and there’s your answer. What is the point of this design? We’re afraid it’s Panasonic’s poor attempt at lightly hinting at the camcorder’s inability to connect to a computer without the DC power plugged in. Rather than having an annoying screen message that demands the power plug be inserted, they’ve simply circumvented the problem by designing it so the power must be plugged in. Furthermore, the SDR-H200 features an SD card slot located on the bottom ridge of the LCD cavity. The only issue is that the SD card door swings down, forcing you to remove the camcorder from the tripod in order to swap a card. With oodles of unused plastic, Panasonic opted for some of the worst connectivity placements we’ve ever seen.
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The AV (composite & S-video) port |
The USB and DC power jacks are located |