Panasonic VDR-D230 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Dec 10, 2007 7:40 AM 
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Ease of Use (6.0)
While Sony caters to the most novice Point-and-Shooters, Panasonic suits those who wish to sit in the director’s chair. The VDR-D230 (Review, Specs, $0.00) features a full set of manual controls, including Gain. Panasonic’s manual control arsenal is tough to beat. Shooters can access Auto mode with ease, but the VDR-D230’s automatic controls can’t trump that of a Sony. There will be instances where the shooter will need to adjust Focus or Aperture, so the VDR-D230’s learning curve is set high above the rest.
Fortunately, the VDR-D230’s menu structure is clean, well organized, and intuitive. The rear-mounted joystick functions perfectly in tandem with this straightforward design, and one-handed shooting is the name of the game. The Joystick menu is readily available in one press of a button, and all manual controls are available on the last two pages. Adjusting manual controls on a Panasonic is far simpler and more accurate than that of a Sony touch screen interface.
Now those stuck on opting for a DVD camcorder should consider the following. DVDs hold the least amount of footage, require a lengthy finalization process, and are more prone to scratches and damage than any other form of media. On the bright side, DVDs offer instant playback without having to use the camcorder as the prime source of playback control. So, it’s a toss-up. If your primary concern is shooting and watching, then go for DVD.
Handling (7.5)
There’s just something about this camcorder that oozes stealth. The VDR-D230 looks like an iridescent black .44 Magnum—there’s no question Dad will be envied by the entire T-Ball crowd. But aesthetics are unforgiving when it comes to comfort. Will the VDR-D230 provide an arthritis-free shooting experience? For one thing, this camcorder is larger than its competitors. The Canon DC230 and Sony DCR-DVD308 are both compact, travel-friendly camcorders. While the DCR-DVD308 specializes in a rugged, well-crafted construction, the DC230 is the most portable DVD camcorder within its class. That leaves the VDR-D230 as the largest DVD camcorder amidst its peers. But on the handling front, its size is an advantage to the shooter.
The VDR-D230’s tall disc hatch is comfortable to hang onto, but it’s not a skyscraper like Panasonic’s first-generation AVCHD beast, the HDC-DX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99). The steep disc hatch also separates the fingers from the body and lens of the VDR-D230, eliminating undesired interference. When you first slip your hand into the VDR-D230, you’ll notice that the middle, ring, and pinky fingers align naturally to the glossy plastic strip running along the top of the disc hatch. The thumb falls right between the Record Start/Stop button and the Mode Dial/Joystick combo. The index finger hovers above the zoom toggle with ease.
Panasonic equips its camcorders with one of the best navigational tools in the market—the rear-mounted joystick. Sony basks in the glory of its Point-and-Shoot friendly touch screen LCD interface. This design appears quick and advanced, but the screen can cloud up with grease. This makes focusing particularly difficult. JVC employs an LCD-mounted joystick that suits two-handed shooters, but excludes those who wish to save another hand for directing the action. Canon borrowed Panasonic’s rear-mounted joystick design, yet failed to give it a sturdy design. The VDR-D230’s menu structure is a dream, thanks to the smooth, rapid response brought on by the joystick.
The VDR-D230 also features an extendable viewfinder, which is on today’s camcorder endangered species list. The option to save battery power or shield the eye on a blaring July day is essential, and most manufacturers are losing sight of that. Watch out for the disc hatch release speed, though—at times it took up to 15 seconds to open. All in all, the VDR-D230 is one of the best handling camcorders in its class.
Menu (6.5)
The menu system on the Panasonic VDR-D230 is simple and efficient, navigated via the rear-mounted joystick for one-handed operation. Menu options are split into two distinct sections: the joystick menu, and the main (or administrative) menu.
The joystick menu contains most of the options for controlling how the image looks. It is the only one that can be accessed while you’re recording. To activate, push in on the joystick. If you’re in auto mode, the joystick menu will be abridged. To access all of the controls, switch to manual mode. Joystick options include:
| Joystick Menu | |
| Joystick 1 | Fades, Backlight Compensation, Info |
| Joystick 2 | Soft Skin Mode, MagicPix |
| Joystick 3 | Iris, White Balance, Shutter Speed |
| Joystick 4 | Manual Focus |
The main menu contains those options that you wouldn’t necessarily need right at hand during shooting. The main menu options include:
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Main Menu (Video Mode) |
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| Basic | Scene Mode, Guide Lines, Rec Mode, Aspect, Clock Set |
| Advanced | Digital Zoom, OIS, Fade Color, Wind Cut, Zoom Mic |
| Disc Setup | Format Disc, Information |
| Setup | Display, Date/Time, Date Format, Power Save, Beep Sound, LCD Set, EVF Set, Initial Set, Demo Mode |
| Language | English, Francais, Espanol |
Portability (4.75)
Unlike Canon DVD camcorders which specialize in compact, highly portable bodies, the VDR-D230 is built for performance rather than portability. This is not a camcorder you can pocket with ease. The VDR-D230 measures 66.7mm x 91.1mm x 142.7mm (2.62” x 3.59” x 5.62”) and weighs in at 510g (1.12 lbs.) without battery, lens cap, and disc. A medium size camcorder bag should do the trick, but make sure it is equipped with enough pouches to hold a backup battery, lots of mini DVD discs, and all supplied cables. The good news is that the VDR-D230 is solidly constructed, unlike most Canons which feature cheap plastic bodies and limited features. The VDR-D230 is a camcorder that can take a lickin’.
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LCD and Viewfinder (5.5)
The VDR-D230 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a 123,000 pixel display. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. Like most Panasonics, there are no LCD panel controls. We like the Sony design, which has zoom controls and record start/stop on most of their LCD panels. The Auto/Manual/Focus switch is the only control available, embedded within the LCD cavity. The VDR-D230 is geared toward one-handed shooting with a heavy manual control push. Beginners and two-handed shooters will not be pleased with this layout.
The VDR-D230 also touts a 113,000 pixel viewfinder that extends outward approximately one inch from the back of the camcorder. The viewfinder does not feature a rubberized eyecup, nor does it pivot upward. However, a viewfinder is better than nothing nowadays. As size and style become more of a factor than performance within the market, the glorious rubberized, pivoting, and extendable viewfinders of yesteryear are on the endangered species list. In fact, there hasn’t been a camcorder released all year with a viewfinder that features all of the three aforementioned characteristics.
Battery Life (8.3)
The Panasonic VDR-D230 ships with the CGR-DU06 battery pack, a relatively small battery that barely protrudes from the back of the camcorder. Fortunately, the viewfinder is extendable and reaches out far enough to keep the off your cheek.
We tested the longevity of the battery by shooting continuously in auto mode with the LCD flipped open. When the disc needed changing, we shut down, replaced the battery with the DC power, and changed discs. In total, the battery lasted a meager 83 minutes and 2 seconds (1 hour, 23 minutes, and 2 seconds).