Panasonic VDR-M53 Camcorder Review

Ease of Use(4.5)
The VDR-M53 is easy to use as long as you keep the camcorder in full auto mode. This is because all of the camcorder’s manual controls are hard to reach, either under the LCD screen or within the menu system. If you don’t need to enter the cumbersome menu system or LCD button cluster, you’ll be fine. The VDR-M53’s menu system, unlike that of many of Panasonic’s MiniDV camcorders, hasn’t been redesigned, and as it turns out, this is for the worse.

Handling (6.0)
The VDR-M53 handles pretty well for the least advanced DVD camcorder on the market this year. Its strap is narrow and doesn’t get in the way, yet it’s wide enough to accommodate a wider hand. Its zoom toggle also rests directly beneath the user’s index finger. Both of these aspects make the camcorder a nice handheld device. The LCD screen does solarize when viewed from an angle, however, which takes a little away from the versatility of the machine. Another problem is that the camcorder’s viewfinder only extends directly backwards about a half an inch. While this wouldn’t be a big problem on its own, the camcorder’s battery also protrudes from the back of the machine. As it is the viewfinder cannot really be used comfortably.

Portability(6.0)
As opposed to some of Hitachi’s DVD camcorders this year (Hitachi and Panasonic DVD camcorders of last year looked almost identical), Panasonic hasn’t made their DVD camcorders much smaller this year, making them probably the least portable of all DVD camcorders, though DVD camcorders tend to all be around the same size. This camcorder isn’t any less portable than the DCR-DVD403.

LCD/ Viewfinder(6.0)
The VDR-M53 features a 2.5-inch LCD screen with approximately 120K pixels. The camcorder also has a 0.2-inch color viewfinder with 200K pixels. The LCD screen solarizes when viewed from an angle. It can be rotated 180 degrees counter-clockwise and 90 degrees clockwise.

Battery Life(7.5)
The VDR-M53’s included battery fares quite well with a recording time of over an hour (1 hr. 15 min. 25 sec.).