Panasonic VDR-D230 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Dec 10, 2007 7:40 AM 
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Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (5.0)
The automatic adjustments on the Panasonic VDR-D230 (Review, Specs, $0.00) are similar to other entry- and mid-level Panasonics. The auto exposure is very fast and finds a great balance between center-weighting versus whole-frame evaluation. Some camcorders that we’ve seen in this price range put too much emphasis on center-weighting, which can be a problem if the subject in the center is heavily contrasted – you might experience jarring exposure shifts when the camcorder is moved only slightly. We found no problems with the VDR-D230’s exposure choices.
The auto focus was fast also, and we had a hard time showing its flaws when the zoom was pulled back under 3x. As with all camcorders, as the zoom progresses, so do the focus problems (we’re considering here the typical home-user’s shooting style, which involves lots of zooming and wild waving about from subject to subject).
The auto white balance was the worst of the three. We found that the VDR-D230 has a tendency to get “stuck” in a certain color temperature, even if the color is way off target. To get it unstuck, we were eventually forced to switch it into manual white balance, then back into auto. This phenomenon didn’t happen frequently, but it did happen.
The VDR-D230 also offers a number of one-touch options for image correction. The joystick menu, activated by pushing in on the joystick, includes Backlight Compensation, Soft Skin Mode (for skin tone correction), and MagicPix (a low light mode). The main menu contains Scene Modes for Sports, Portrait, Low Light, Spotlight, and Surf & Snow.
The winning joystick
Overall Manual Control (6.75)
The manual control on Panasonic camcorders are, as a rule, among the best of any camcorders. First, Panasonic packs in the manual controls, including independent aperture and shutter speed, manual gain, and focus. Also included are the one-touch correction tools described in the preceding section, including Scene Modes. The second punch in the one-two combination is the rear-mounted joystick. This control mechanism makes one-handed operation possible, sailing through the well-designed menu.
Oh dear, oh, dear… one more thing that we’re awfully tired of mentioning, but feel is our duty. All year, the Panasonic website has been stating that most of their camcorders offer a manual focus ring. We assure you that the VDR-D230 does not have this feature, nor do any of their DVD camcorders, nor do any of their standard definition camcorders have a manual focus ring! And yet, the Panasonic website states that they do. We’ve tried to get them to correct the error, but alas.
Zoom (5.0)
The zoom toggle on all the Panasonic DVD camcorders is different, and improved, from the MiniDV camcorders. Rather than a slider switch, the VDR-D230 and its siblings have a raised plastic toggle, which offers slightly better control. In all, we were able to get about three zoom speeds depending on finger pressure. The camcorder is able to produce a very slow crawl, though it gets progressively faster as you move from 1x to 32x.
Advanced shooters will appreciate that the VDR-D230 provides both a scale to tell you where in the zoom range you are, as well as an exact numerical value, something most manufacturers neglect. This can be useful if you’re setting up a tricky shot and want to get the zoom just right.
Zoom Power Ratio (32.0)
The VDR-D230 features a big optical zoom of 32x. A small-scale zoom war has been raging in the last few years. Compared to other entry- and mid-level camcorders, which can up to 40x, a 32x might seem smaller. We assure you, it will suffice. It’s also good practice to use a tripod for anything past 5x or so. For 32x, it’s absolutely necessary.
The digital zoom is able to extend out to 1000x, or capped at 50x. It’s important to note that digital zoom is a distortion of the image, and will have a serious detriment on image quality.
Focus (4.0)
The manual focus is engaged via the Auto/Manual/Focus switch located in the LCD cavity on the left side. Push once towards the manual setting, then push again to activate the focus. A small icon appears in the lower right corner of the LCD, labeled MF- and MF+. You then push the joystick left and right to shift focus.
Unfortunately, the only method you have to gauge the correct focus is the small, low-res LCD or viewfinder. There is no onscreen data to indicate the exact focus length, and no tools like peaking or instant zoom to help you get a better look at your subject’s edges. This is completely inadequate for performing a tight manual focus. Except in extreme cases, we recommend leaving it to the auto focus.
Exposure & Aperture (5.64)
The VDR-D230, like all Panasonics, offers aperture control independent of shutter speed. Having direct control of the aperture is great because it gives you control over the depth of field and other “highly technical” things that you can learn about as you delve into the camcorder. What the VDR-D230 lacks is a simple exposure up/down control that you’ll find in almost any other camcorder or camera – a tool that requires no technical knowledge except “brighter” and “darker.” The effect of a simple exposure tool is the same as shutter and aperture, but the latter is more beginner-friendly.
Aperture settings are located in the joystick menu, engaged by pushing in on the joystick. The camcorder must be in manual mode for this feature. The aperture settings on the VDR-D230 include: Open (f/1.8), f/2.0, f/2.4, f/ f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.8, and f/8.0, f/9.6, f/11, f/14, and f/16. Each of these settings has a half-step increment in between them.
Shutter Speed (8.1)
The shutter speed can be adjusted and locked independent of the aperture, a Panasonic standard not offered by any other camcorder manufacturer. Like aperture, the shutter control is located in the joystick menu and the camcorder must be in manual mode, not auto. Shutter speed settings include: 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, and 1/8000. Unlike Canon and JVC camcorders that offer a shutter priority mode, Panasonic does not allow for “low light” shutter speed settings slower than 1/60th. While it can produce blurring in moving objects, a 1/30th setting often proves useful.
White Balance (5.5)
The white balance options are also located in the joystick menu, and again, the VDR-D230 must be in manual mode rather than in auto mode. The choices here are few: Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, and Manual. The auto white balance is decent when the light temperature is uniform. When shooting indoors with different types of light bulbs, the camcorder can get confused and make a mess of the image. The Indoor and Outdoor settings are only meant to cover a narrow band of the wide variation of light temperatures you might encounter in “indoor” or “outdoor” environments. Making a manual adjustment is simple. Simply toggle through the white balance options until you reach the manual setting, then point the camcorder at a white or neutral grey surface and push up on the joystick. After 2-3 seconds, you’ll have your corrected white balance.
Gain (6.0)
A manual gain adjustment can only be made after the aperture has been opened all the way (the Open setting, or f/1.8). If your picture is still dark at that point, the analog options have been exhausted and you need to kick the digital enhancements (the gain) into gear. Gain is measured in decibels. Settings include 0dB, +3dB, +6dB, +9dB, +12dB, +15dB, and +18dB. Each of these settings has an unmarked half-step increment in between them.
Other Manual Controls (1.0)