Dec 19, 2009 12:45 AM
4186 Views
(Updated Jan 06, 2010 11:51 PM)
Panasonic SDR-H280 is a standard definition camcorder with features of high definition camcorder.
My decision to buy this gadget was guided by its 3-CCD sensor and the world famous Leica-Dicomar lens with 10x optical zoom. Other important features are Mega Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) and the 30 GB Hard Disk. The 2.7" LCD display is quite sharp and its luminiscence can be enhanced to view in the bright sunlight. The model is supplied with a remote which comes very handy at the time of viewing the movies on TV. Wide screen LCD TVs are great experiece for viewing the footages from the camcorder.
The video editing software(VideoCamSuite) supplied with the camera is quite good and easy, though may not be as professional as Adobe Premiere-Pro. The battery life is quite impressive. The still image is so so. The tiny joystick comes quite handy at the time of shooting, though it requires a good number of practice for setting one's hand.
However, the manual controls of the gadget are quite complicated and needs a good number of practice. I even feel that manual control features better would have been demonstrated by an expert. The manual control includes adjusting - 1) focus, 2) white balance, 3) Iris and 4) shutter speed. However, this setting those parametrs by using manual control can be surpassed by choosing the scene mode and still enjoying the situation-specific focus, white balance, iris/shutter speed etc.
I have purchased the item from ebay and it is just 2 months old. The transaction was cool and the dealer has given one 4 GB SD card of Transend and one camcorder carrying case FREE. The package comes with a 3-years Panasonic(India) warranty card duly signed and stamped by the dealer.
Though I am a completely newcomer to the world of videophotography, I feel that this product will be of good use to any family movie makers and serious ameteurists too. This model, I believe, will definitely not let its owner down as compared to its competitors like Sony/JVC/Canon.
