Panasonic VDR-D100 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 11, 2006 12:00 PM

Intro
Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion


Video Performance
The Panasonic VDR-D100 ships with a measly 1/6” 680K (340K). This is probably the lowest quality, least-advanced CCD you’re going to get on a DVD camcorder this year, from this or any other manufacturer. The good news is the VDR-D100 is one of the cheaper DVD camcorders from a major manufacturer this year as well. Its MSRP is around $500. The Sony DCR-DVD105 also sells for $500. The Hitachi DZ-BX35 retails for just $400.

This is the same imager as last year’s VDR-M53, and the good news for the VDR-D100 is that the VDR-M53 featured surprisingly good colors and video quality in bright light. There was a different story as far as low light was concerned, but no cam bats a thousand. Stay tuned for our test results.

Low Light Performance
With such a small CCD, the VDR-D100 probably won’t have the best low light capabilities. But what are you expecting from such a cheap camcorder, and a DVD camcorder at that? A camcorder with a comparable imager, last year’s VDR-M53, did pretty disappointingly in low light, so we’re not expecting much. If you’re buying this camcorder for its low light abilities in the first place, back off. You took a very wrong turn somewhere.







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