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Panasonic HDC-HS300 Review
| Author | James Morris |
| Published | 7th Feb 2009 |
| Manufacturer | Panasonic |
| Price | £851.30 (Exc VAT) |
| as reviewed | £979.00 (Inc VAT) |
| Latest Price | Click here |
| Features |  |
| Image Quality | |
| Value |  |
| Overall |  |
99 comments
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TrustedReviews NewslettersPanasonic gave us a preview of the HS300's video quality at the tail end of 2008 - but we had to promise not to tell until after the official announcement at CES 2009. It was hard to hold in our excitement, as the demonstrations looked very convincing indeed. The HS300's sensors are similar in size to the high-end Sony HDR-FX7E's, giving it the potential to be a consumer camcorder with truly pro-grade image quality.
Putting the HS300 through its paces ourselves, we found that it lived up to our expectations. The level of detail and colour fidelity this camcorder can produce is nothing short of stunning, in virtually all conditions. Low light performance is particularly amazing. There is a certain amount of grain, but the level of colour maintained at very low levels of illumination is a revelation. Overall, this is the first consumer camcorder we've seen which has managed to exceed the high benchmark set by Canon's excellent HF10, HF100, HG20 and HF11.
Since the AVCHD files created by the HS300 are no different from the last few models, compatibility with editing software is now near universal. We didn't have trouble editing footage with any of the latest versions of the mainstream apps. If you just want to watch footage on a TV, a comprehensive set of connections are available, including mini HDMI, plus component and composite analogue. However, no adapter is included for hooking up to a full-sized HDMI port.
Verdict
When Panasonic released the HDC-SD100 and HS100, we loved the company's continued dedication to ‘prosumer' features. These camcorders were not dumbed down - in fact, they regained some of the functionality of MiniDV all-time-greats like the NV-GS400. But the image quality couldn't quite knock Canon off its pedestal. With the HDC-HS300, Panasonic has at last covered all the bases. This could well be the best camcorder released all year. Panasonic's competitors will need to pull off something special to beat it, although the near-£1,000 price will deter the video-making masses.
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Strutty said on 1st September 2009
Roy Philpott said on 10th September 2009
Can you tell me if it is possible to change the out put video from ntsc to pal or vice versa
Tony said on 13th October 2009
I need a Hi Def camcorder that will record OFF the Computer OONTO the camera Harddrive, then back again for making animated cartoons. Can anyone tell me if this can be done. I coul... more
Jack said on 30th October 2009
Hi James, I allready bought a HS300 in Summer this Year. Your review tell us all the benefits, they all true and I'm happy with the HS300, but I like to mention some cons:
A... more
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As a very satisfied previous owner of an NV-GS400, I had been looking for an HD replacement for quite a while. I initially bought a Canon HF10, but found the video quality lacking,... more