Panasonic VDR-D100 Camcorder Reviewby James MurrayPublished on Mar 7, 2006 5:00 PM 
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Ease of Use (6.5)
The Panasonic VDR-D100 (Review, Specs, $299.95) is easy to use in some ways, but not in others. When set in full auto mode, the controls are straightforward and relatively impossible to accidentally alter. The joystick menu is limited to one screen with just three options that control backlight, fade in/out and soft skin mode. The only thing missing from this camcorder found on more expensive Panasonic models is an info setting, which describes what each of the icons mean in the manual control menu, which would be helpful for users shooting without a manual.
The administrative menu is the same straightforward logical list structure with full text descriptions for each submenu. The only design flaw comes with the fourth submenu, the language menu. Once users enter this submenu, they must exit the menu system entirely to access other sections of the administrative menu. This isn’t true with other sections, in which the user merely presses the left arrow on the joystick to move backwards. And because the language menu is the bottom feature, it often gets accidentally highlighted when scanning quickly, and if entered inadvertently users will waste time figuring out how to exit it.
Other controls on the camcorder are straightforward in auto and manual mode with clear symbols or text descriptions for each control feature. The mode dial only has two settings and shouldn’t confound anyone, regardless of experience level.
The manual mode was basically clear and logical with a few inconsistencies which if fixed, would allow fast navigation and control. The first odd menu design appears when navigating the manual control settings which appear on the left side of the LCD. Users are restricted to only scanning down the list; the up arrow is not useable in this menu, which is odd since the up arrow has no function within manual mode at all. The next unfortunate setback is that when the auto white balance is selected in manual mode, it disappears off the LCD and will only appear if the user scans over the blank space where this setting is. And finally the control structure for manual controls like shutter speed, aperture, and gain force the user to press the joystick for each step encountered when traversing a given control’s range. Be prepared to press the joystick at least twenty times to move through the aperture settings; this design makes the joystick design less than joy-filled.
By comparison, Sony camcorders are typically easier to use, with a big, fat Easy button that glows blue, beckoning the beginner into its electronic embrace. Canons, in general, are comparable to Panasonics. They offer an Easy mode as well, but the auto controls are not as good as Sony.
Handling (6.5)
There are only a couple of handling concerns relating to the VDR-D100. Panasonic has placed manual controls within LCD menu structures which are navigated with the joystick control on the back of the camcorder. For some reason, Panasonic has equipped this camcorder with a right hand strap that is vastly undersized and not wide enough to provide comfortable support. When not gripping the top of the camcorder like I’m Eva Marie Saint gripping the face of Mt. Rushmore in North by Northwest, the camcorder had a tendency to flop around and feel as if nothing is really stopping the D100 from slipping off my hand and breaking.
After I had finally crammed my hand into the, the second problem arose. It was nearly impossible at this angle to touch the zoom toggle in a way that provided consistent zoom speed. I found myself contorting my hand into a number of positions, although none successfully managed to garner the elusive zoom rate I desired. In order to attain variable speeds the use of both the left and right hands was necessary. However, reaching and manipulating the mode dial, joystick, and other controls was comfortable and with so few external controls, it was hard for Panasonic to go wrong in these areas.
Portability (6.5)
Well, the Panasonic VDR-D100 certainly isn’t a matchbook camcorder, but it does show a size reduction in comparison to last year’s Panasonic VDR-M53 (Specs, $402.85). The Panasonic VDR-D100 measures 5.079 x 3.425 x 2.087 inches with an approximate weight of 1.058 pounds, without either the lens cap or battery. All said, this camcorder definitely has a physical presence, and while it’s comfortable to carry in the hand for a short time, it will necessitate a case or side bag if longer journeys are anticipated. The overall design seems durable and there doesn’t seem to be manufacturing decisions which could lead to accidental damage during travel. However, the lens cap doesn’t snap onto the camcorder with a reassuring security, and it seems it could be easily knocked off.
LCD/Viewfinder (6.0)
The LCD screen for the Panasonic VDR-D100 is located on the left side of the camcorder and may be opened using the open/push button on the back of the camcorder. This control is sticky and visually regressive in terms of design and aesthetics, and users will find that there is a slight sliver of space between the LCD screen and the edge of the camcorder which allows the user to manually open the screen. Both of these methods are irritating. The LCD screen itself measures 2.5 inches and has an approximate pixel count of 105,000 pixels, which is a bit below par compared to other LCD screens that pack 112K or 123K pixels.
The electronic color viewfinder is small. This isn’t surprising, considering the compact dimensions of the camcorder. However, the hard plastic eyepiece surrounding it makes for less than comfortable viewing and shooting. The viewfinder can extend outward horizontally from the camcorder, and there is a focal field adjustment system located on the top of the viewfinder, revealed when it’s fully extended. The VDR-D100 has a great advantage over camcorders by manufacturers like Canon when it comes to viewfinders, because there are no manual controls in the LCD cavity and users who wish to use the EVF to conserve battery power can do so. Because all controls and menus are navigated by the joystick on the back of the camcorder, the Panasonic VDR-D100 provides users with two fully functioning, although not wholly comfortable, viewing devices.
