A discussion of the design of the Panasonic HDC-HS300.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Pansonic's top prosumer HD camcorder includes a 120GB hard drive. However, it's about the same size--though a little heavier--than the flash-only TM300.
The manual focus button works in conjunction with the ring on the lens; when not used for focus, the ring zooms. The function button brings up white balance, iris, and shutter speed options on the touch-screen LCD.
Though the hard disk makes the HS300 a little wider than the TM300, the placement of the accessory shoe means Panasonic had to relegate the zoom switch to the side; it's skinny and wobbly compared with the large comfortable switch on the TM300.
Despite the relatively large size of the camcorder, the mode dial is kind of small. The rest of the controls, pulled up by the bezel-based Quick Menu and Menu buttons, operate via the touch screen. Unfortunately, I found the touch screen relatively nonresponsive.
A full complement of ports and connectors live in the LCD recess: AV, component, and mini HDMI out, USB, and an SDHC card slot. Panasonic recommends a Class 4 card.
