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


Conclusion
In 2006, the VDR-D300 carries both the promise and the burden of the DVD camcorder format. This camcorder’s 3 CCD imager gives the hope of providing high quality video with the ease of the DVD format. Of course, like all DVD cams, it lives under the shadow of MiniDV camcorders in terms of video quality. We realize that the writing is on the wall for MiniDV, but the image quality is so clearly superior that we will continue to sing its praises until the ship has sunk.

In short, the spec sheet only talks the talk, and the D300 has yet to show us what it can do. The camcorder performed adequately at CES, but this is clearly not an ideal environment to make confirmed assessments.

With a wealth of manual controls, this model should quench the thirst of those who seek to tinker with the inner workings of image quality. This model can be handled and operated with relative ease. The inclusion of an Info feature, which explains what each icon in the menu represents, will help beginners quickly acclimate themselves to the navigational system. Its new ability to record on DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM will make capturing and viewing immensely more convenient, as DVD-RAM alone was receiving many complaints from the public. At a few dollars shy of a grand, is it worth it to buy a camcorder that could be unmatched in its field but merely adequate against MiniDV? The answer rests with its performance under more rigorous testing, and whether or not it can provide both quality as well as convenience. We’ll do our best to get you those answers first.





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