Panasonic VDR-D300 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Nick Hyacinthe
Published on Jan 6, 2006 7:00 PM

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


Picture & Manual Control
In Auto mode the VDR-D300 has jurisdiction over white balance, focus, gain, exposure and shutter speed. The camcorder performs most of these functions fairly well. The model’s automatic focus made swift and seamless adjustments to varying focal lengths. At full zoom, the camcorder’s automatic focus takes a little longer to adjust. The slight delay in focus is noticeable but acceptable. At CES the camcorders are confined to the display table, limiting ones ability to test response to different shooting conditions, but the VDR-D300’s other automatic controls responded well to CES conditions. A more detailed analysis of these features will be given in the upcoming full review.

Most DVD camcorders offer Automatic Exposure settings to help the user cope with varying shooting conditions. These presets are calibrated responses to predetermined lighting conditions. The VDR-D300 offers the same AE features as last year’s DVD models: Spotlight, Sport, Portrait, Backlight, and Low Light. These presets are nestled within the menus of both the movie and still modes.

Automatic Control
Panasonic has equipped the VDR-D300 with a wealth of manual control options. Users will have autonomy over Exposure, Gain, Shutter Speed, Focus and White balance. This model’s little sister, the VDR-D250, does not offer manual control over white balance. The Panasonic representatives claim that all their camcorders provide such control, but were unable to demonstrate this in my presence. We’ll have to chalk this up to either a glaring oversight on the VDR-D250 or merely ill-informed booth attendants.

The VDR-D300’s manual controls are engaged by switching the camera to manual mode with the mode switch that is hidden underneath the 2.7” LCD. Similar to last year’s models, adjustments are made with the small joystick protruding out of the camcorder’s rear. A slight push on the joystick displays a superimposed wheel, with the manual control options, at the bottom right corner of the screen. A very welcome addition on this year’s models is an Info feature, which provides a detailed description of the plethora of icons displayed on the wheel. A camcorder’s menu iconography is often the most perplexing thing a new user must face, and any help the manufacturer can provide is immensely helpful.

Zoom
High-end DVD camcorders almost seem to have a uniform 10x optical zoom capacity, and the VDR-D300 and its little sister the VDR-250 are no exception. Like the VDR-D250, the D300 has a 700x digital zoom with the option of capping it at 25x.

Focus
Using the mode switch within the LCD cavity, one can engage the manual focus feature. Manual focus adjustments are made by angling the joystick towards MF+ or MF- icons superimposed on the onscreen icon wheel. By not providing numerical measurements, Panasonic has hindered the user from making precise focal adjustments. One has to eyeball the LCD to determine the correct modification, and LCD screens are prone to some distortion. While Panasonic is right in line with the industry’s tendency to omit this immensely helpful feature, we’re hoping they, or any manufacturer, will break rank and add it to next year’s models.

Exposure (Aperture)
This model’s exposure value can be expressed with 16 F-stops. The camcorder’s exposure ranges from f/1.8 to f/16. Numerical value provides the user with more optimum control over the quality of the image, which is something that was lacking from the celebrated DCR-DVD403.

Shutter Speed
Another rare treat for DVD users is the option to manually control shutter speed. Panasonic is unique in that it provides manual shutter speeds from 1/60 to 1/8000 in all of its DVD camcorders.

White Balance
The VDR-D300’s white balance options are manual, auto, fluorescent, and outdoor. These options are within the manual control menu at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Gain
Both models in the VDR-D series have manual gain options ranging from 0db to 18db, which is rare in most DVD camcorders. While it is nice to have manual gain as part of ones arsenal it should only be used in the most dire and desperate low light situations. Gain will brighten the image but increase the noise level as well.





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