Panasonic VDR-D300 Camcorder Reviewby James MurrayPublished on Feb 2, 2006 5:00 PM 
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The Front (8.2)
The front of the VDR-D300 features a Leica Dicomar 10x optical lens with a focal length of 3.0 to 30.0 mm and an auto iris range from f/1.8 to f/2.8. The filter diameter measures 37 mm, which is the same size as the penultimate Panasonic MiniDV, the PV-GS300 (Review, Specs, $469.99). The top-end GS500 (Review, Specs, $1040) offers a 43mm filter diameter. The lens on the D300 is positioned in the upper left corner. Beneath this sizeable lens is the stereo microphone, placed away from hands or other muffling possibilities. To the right side of the lens, the in-camera flash provides users with light when shooting still images. Below the flash and to the left of the in-camera stereo microphone are two sensors for the D300: the white balance / remote control sensor and a recording lamp. The recording lamp can be shut off via the menu. Along the base of the VDR-D300’s front are three ports covered by a port cover which is opened by flipping a tab located on the bottom front of the camcorder body. Once opened, users will find the A/V output terminal, the USB terminal, and the wired remote / microphone terminal. The port cover has a long tether which allows this protective shield to be moved so as to not block the use of these three ports.
The Right Side (7.5)
The right side of the Panasonic VDR-D300 features the DVD loading mechanism, which opens from the top of the body, unlocking via the Disc Eject tab, which is located at the back of the camcorder near a protruding mound; this mound is built around the Mode Dial on the back of the camcorder. Above the Disc Eject tab is the Access/PC light, which lets users when the camcorder is involved with removing, inserting, or changing DVDs (which seems to be a considerable amount of the time). Spanning the length of the ride side of the VDR-D300 is an adjustable strap with Velcro used as a securing agent. This strap is a bit thin for larger hands, and this camcorder can move a bit too freely in one’s grip. It would be nice to have a wider strap for a more secure connection between user and camcorder. After all, this is a $1000 investment.
The Back (5.5)
The 123K pixel electronic color viewfinder on the VDR-D300 pulls out from the camcorder body to allow comfortable use of this feature, even when the Li-ion battery pack (situated directly below it) is attached. The diopter adjustment feature is located on the top of the viewfinder, but only visible once the viewfinder is pulled from the camcorder body. This swiveling tab allows users to calibrate the viewfinder specifically for their own eyesight.
To the right of the viewfinder is the On/Off switch for the D300. Users must press the blue button at its center and simultaneously sliding the control to either the right or left to engage or disengage power. Beneath the power switch is the Delete button, which may delete both video clips and still images, depending on the camcorder’s current mode. Don’t worry, though; you can’t erase clips by accident at the touch of a button. This button is only used in part with the menu options that allow for deletion.
Beneath the Delete button users will find the Record Button for video mode, a control which is placed for easy and comfortable access by the thumb. To the right of the Record and Delete buttons, the Mode Dial can switch between Disc recording mode, Disc playback mode, Card recording mode, and Card playback mode. At the center of the Mode dial is the heart of the interface, the joystick control. The joystick provides access to and navigation of on-screen menus and diagrams, as well as most of the manual controls. The joystick is surrounded by a glowing blue LED light field which will help users find this feature when shooting in lower light situations. This light can be turned off via the menu.
The Left Side (8.0)
The Panasonic VDR-D300 has a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 123,000 pixels. It is thankfully devoid of the unnecessary push-button opening device found on the VDR-D100 (Review, Specs, $299.95) (which we will have a review of shortly). The VDR-D300’s LCD opens easily - users pull the back edge out from the camcorder body, and are rewarded with a 16:9 viewing screen, perfect for getting that crop-and-zoom (not true widescreen) aspect ratio.
The LCD screen swivels 270 degrees and may be flipped upside-down so one can view it when standing in front of the camcorder’s lens; the screen can also be returned to the camcorder body facing outward. The connection point between the LCD and the camcorder body is sturdy and well designed and appears to be able to sustain some abuse. When open, the LCD cavity reveals an Auto/Manual switch for changing between auto and manual modes. Also assigned to the this switch is the manual focus on/off. Ahead of the Auto/Manual switch, towards the lens, users will find the in-camcorder playback speaker. Beneath this switch is the Power LCD control which boosts brightness of the LCD, but can cost battery life in the process. Also in the LCD cavity is a tiny Reset button located near the base of the camcorder.
The Top (8.0)
All features of note on the top of the Panasonic VDR-D300 are located towards the back of the body. On top of the lens barrel, users will find a cold accessory shoe, which can provide a place to hold an additional flash, microphone, or other accessories, but it cannot power them. You’ll have to plug in for that. To the right of this feature is the zoom toggle, which doubles as the volume control in playback mode. Behind the zoom toggle is the Photo Shot button which allows users to capture still images to SD card.