Panasonic HDC-HS300 - Pull the Trigger?

[Dustin Wilcox]

the Panasonics are the best option in the consumer cam market, but only slightly, over the Canon options.

Any reason you exclude Sony? Per Camcorder Info reviews http://www.camcorderinfo.com/conten...view-37247/Panasonic-HDC-TM300-Comparison.htm it does appear that Panosonic rules (at least last years models) though Sony and Canon appear to be relativly "comparable" and given that the Sony cam is about 30% the cost of the Panosonic you could "pimp" the Sony out (wide angle lens, mic, more memory, and whatever else for a comparable price...
I really just want to buy the new panosonic (700K) but not sure if I can wait until it's "available"

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Per Steve Miller OK's recommendation, I went ahead and pulled the trigger and got a bag, battery and this camera from B&H Photo on Monday. It should be here tomorrow, and I can't wait!

 

[JeffGonzales]

If u dont want the main hard drive option, i would recomend the Panasonic HDS-TM300. same good quality except can record more on SD cards. I highly recomend it. There is also a newer HDC-TM350 option too.

 

[Steve Miller]

Keep in mind 10 minutes of the highest quality 1080p video is 4.2gb. OUCH

 

[James Hammett]

Sure about that? I haven't tested it but the manual says 4 hours of the highest quality is 32GB so that would make 10 minutes 1.3GB. Given how the compression works more motion would take up more space but I doubt it would vary THAT much.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

There is also a newer HDC-TM350 option too.

Actually they have the new TM700K shipping...LOL I really wanted to go with the new 700K Panasonic, but all sources said "April" and a couple May for first shipments...Given I wanted something before late April or early May I said screw it and went ahead and ordered a Sony; well come to find out only 12 hours later, they JUST started shipping TODAY if ordered directly from Panasonic...I might check and see how the first reviews of the Panasonic come in, and if they're crazy good, I might just send mine back and order the Panasonic...

Sure about that? I haven't tested it but the manual says 4 hours of the highest quality is 32GB so that would make 10 minutes 1.3GB. Given how the compression works more motion would take up more space but I doubt it would vary THAT much.

Yeah, the new 1080 60p on the TM700K is an absolute memory HOG, will take some pretty serious computing power to edit too I'm guessing...Sure would be nice to have the future proof 60p video though...

 

[Steve Miller]

Sure about that? I haven't tested it but the manual says 4 hours of the highest quality is 32GB so that would make 10 minutes 1.3GB. Given how the compression works more motion would take up more space but I doubt it would vary THAT much.

I have the HS300, I have shot a lot with it and I have imported a lot with it. Perhaps there is a different conversion method for flash-only or something.
Does the data come off the flash camera in a .MTS format or is it some other? Do you have to run it through the Panasonic supplied "HD Writer AE"?

The unit shoots amazing video for the price. Huge files though.

 

[Steve Miller]

Yeah, the new 1080 60p on the TM700K is an absolute memory HOG, will take some pretty serious computing power to edit too I'm guessing...Sure would be nice to have the future proof 60p video though...

It really is. I'm looking at upgrading to an i7 based CPU in order to work with this stuff.
Those of you planning for this camera (or any other 1080p machine), start buying extra hard drive storage now. You'll need it, especially if you archive more than 20-40% of your shots.

 

[James Hammett]

Does the data come off the flash camera in a .MTS format or is it some other? Do you have to run it through the Panasonic supplied "HD Writer AE"?

You can pull the files directly off the internal flash memory as .MTS files. HD Writer AE saves them with the .m2ts extension. I just peeked at a video that is 10:11 in length and it's 1,247MB at the highest quality which is very close to what the manual says. This is just the raw file...not de-interlaced or converted in any way.

 

[Steve Miller]

Humm. Let me look around and see what the deal is. Interesting.