Panasonic VDR-D100 Camcorder Reviewby James MurrayPublished on Mar 7, 2006 5:00 PM 
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Comparison
Panasonic VDR-M53
The Panasonic VDR-M53 was the least expensive DVD camcorder produced by Panasonic and is being replaced by this year’s VDR-D100 (Review, Specs, $299.95). Although it was originally released with price identical to this year's D100, the M53 can easily be found for less on and off-line. This year Panasonic once again escalated optical zooms, equipping the D100 with 30x optical zoom in comparison to the 24x of last year. The D100 has a far more functional joystick control compared to the spread out external controls which littered the left side of the M53. Also, the D100 is equipped with the manual control options we’re used to on Panasonic camcorders, while last year’s M53 had fully automatic shutter speed and gain. The D100 does have some important components missing when placed against its predecessor. The M53 has a cold accessory shoe, an LCD screen with 120K rather 105K resolution, a Mic-in port and an SD card slot which also allows the camcorder to have a still image mode which has vanished on this year’s D100. Both camcorders lack a true widescreen mode. However, the joystick has made the D100 much easier to work with. Winner: D100.
Sony DCR-DVD105
If a straightforward auto-centric DVD camcorder is wanted for saturated color and simple design, the Sony DCR-DVD105 is certainly an option to consider as opposite to the D100. That being said, it also has an MSRP of $649. With this price increase the DCR-DVD105 offers an identical 1/6-inch 680K CCD, but it does include improvements over the D100 like a center channel microphone and a still memory feature. It also has electronic image stabilization like the D100 as well as manual control over white balance. The 2.5-inch LCD manages to sport a higher resolution of 123,000 pixels. The DVD105, with its 20x zoom, does not outdo Panasonic’s 30x optical zoom. Overall, we like the D100 better.
Canon DC10
The Canon DC10 provides its users with a larger 1/4-inch, 690,000 pixel CCD which performed with reasonable accuracy and strong resolution scores during testing. The Canon DC10 has a plethora of external controls, which may lead to confusion if the user is a novice. Exerienced users will appreciate them. While there are fewer manual controls on the Canon DC10, there is still control over shutter speed, aperture, focus, and white balance, although the shutter speed range is truncated in comparison to the D100. Appealing to the hybrid camcorder user, the Canon DC10 does have a handful of still image options which can be recorded to either DVD or SD/MMC card. Also, the Canon DC10 has a 16:9 format option that provides a true widescreen mode. Audio setup for the DC10 is comparable to that of the D100; both lack headphone or Mic-in ports. However, a serious design faux pas occurred with the placement of the battery in the cavity of the LCD screen, a choice which makes it impossible to upgrade to a longer life battery. If it weren't for the battery, we would probably tie this with the D100. However, the facts stand as they are. Winner: D100.
Panasonic VDR-D200
The differences between the VDR-D200 and the VDR-D100 are few to none, with the major difference being the inclusion of a memory card slot on the VDR-D200. Before the excitement roused by this feature inspires you to throw your digital camera against a concrete wall, it should be noted that the D200 records still images at a 1640 x 480 maximum resolution. The VDR-D200 also provides an LED light and two suites of editing software; DVD Movie Album and IMX Video CD software for Mac users. All other imaging specifications, features, controls, and designs are identical to that of the D100. This camcorder’s MSRP of $599.95 forces users to shell out an extra hundred bucks for an all but pointless LED light and a still mode. It’s not worth it, if you ask us.
Hitachi DZ-GX3100A
With external controls littering the surface of the camcorder and a number of options set into the LCD cavity, Hitachi certainly won’t win an award for control integration and structure. We normally like external controls, but the placement inside the LCD cavity is simply bad design (it also happens to be where last year's Panasonic DVD cams put them). That being said, the GX3100A does allow still images to be captured and offers analog input, two features distinctly lacking from the D100. The widescreen LCD is 2.7 inches on the diagonal. It certainly falls short however in optical zoom, providing a mere 15x optical zoom rating. This pales in comparison with the 30x equipped Panasonic VDR-D100. With the analog input, $499 price tag and still image options, this camcorder could appeal to certain members of the budget DVD camcorder market looking for features not found on the manually heavy, non-hybrid Panasonic VDR-D100. Just know that navigation and manual controls won’t be able to stand up to the offerings of Panasonic.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
For the point-and-shoot user looking towards a brighter future full of manual controls, the Panasonic VDR-D100 could be a great DVD camcorder. If a fully automatic camcorder with no manual or little manual control is desired, the user may wish to look at Sony camcorder models like the DCR-DVD105.
Budget Consumers (4.5)
For the budget consumer looking to buy a DVD camcorder, the Panasonic VDR-D100 is certainly going to provide them with the most options for manual control at the lowest price. However, if cost is really an issue and DVD isn’t a must-have, MiniDV camcorders by Panasonic will provide the same controls at a fraction of the cost. Add to that the ability to actually edit the footage that you’ve captured and the PV-GS29 (Specs, ) will just make more and more sense.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (0.0)
With not a single still image feature available, we can unequivocally state that any camcorder with a still capture mode, even if to MiniDV tape, is going to be better in this category when compared to the Panasonic VDR-D100.
Gadget Freaks (2.0)
For the gadget freak, last year was all about the DVD camcorder: it was new, stylish and not every kid on the block had one. But with the limitations of the media and the frustrations which arise when trying to edit this format, the gadget freak should be wiser in 2006 and look elsewhere to satisfy the never-satiated cravings for new technology.
Manual Control Freaks (5.0)
This camcorder definitely provides its users with an impressive number of manual controls, especially when considering its MSRP of $499. The VDR-D100 provides control over gain, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, focus, and zoom. If even more manual control is desired, the user should expect to pay quite a bit more. In this price range, it would be hard for the DVD enthusiast to do better.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
With DVD camcorders still lagging in the image quality standards of other formats like MiniDV, the pro and serious hobbyist is probably not going to pick up this camcorder or even the highest level consumer model available this year. With time and improvements this may change, but for now, the limitations of DVD media will keep this section of the market at arm’s length.
Conclusion
The VDR-D100 is just what you would expect from an entry-level model. It performs comparably to other camcorders in its price class, while lacking the features that make you want to go out and buy the better equipped sibling models. The VDR-D100 lacks any still capability. This may be just fine for some people, as camcorders aren’t really designed to take still pictures in the first place. The video, however, is not so good that you want it for that purpose either. The picture was simply dull, and a noisy dull at that.
The D100 has all the conveniences inherent in DVD camcorders, and ease of use is not too much of a concern. All the great manual controls that Panasonic provides are there for the neophyte to learn on. It's pretty clear that the D100 is the leader in the entry level DVD camcorder space providing more versatility than any other model. For a DVD camcorder, this is not a bad choice.