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This is what you wish you had in your hand while using a digital still camera and wanted to record better video. This is NOT the video camera for special events like weddings where things like gradual shading and very fine detail is important - I would stick with mini-dv or an HDD video camera or step up to HD if using flash memory SD, MS, CF etc.I use a Windows based PC and first I just copy the contents of the card to my hard drive, simply rename the recorded files from.MOD to.MPG and any off-the-shelf media editing software that records to DVD will work: Nero, Roxio, even Windows Movie Maker. So buy a couple of extra batteries (good news at least the batteries are inexpensive). As it is I only get 40-45 min on a battery. To be fair I tried all 3 rec modes and even in the best day-lit scenes the mpeg-2 engine can't handle a straight line border with 2 different colors (the edge of a table against a different color floor). I've owned this camera for a few months and the video quality is not as great as digital-8 or mini-dv. I don't understand why Panasonic couldn't engineer the camera to fit a slightly thicker battery to accomodate 2 hour recording, or at least a full hour (there's certainly room inside the body of the video camera). The short recording time on a fully charged battery I've observed is consistent with all previous reviews.So why buy this video camera - easy easy easy simple menu to navigate for set up, small and light - this is the video camera you would bring to an amusement park and you could have in your hand on a roller coaster or tape the kids at the park, being active anywhere out and about.
You will need to use a video editing program like the MotionSD STUDIO software (provided with the camera) to get it into the proper format. (Impact: Medium) Feature settings on the camera are split into "Basic" and "Advanced" but as yet, I cannot discern the logic in how features were assigned. I have included my own personal rating (impact) for each one. You MUST turn it off to charge the battery.2.
The screen/viewer (monitor) is surprising good (brightness, clarity, clear of defect spots) for the price. Unfortunately, I am using the unit on a tripod, which means the tripod connection adaptor, screwed on to the bottom of the unit as well, prevents easy access to the SD card (meaning I can't easily swap out memory cards while recording).6. (Impact: Medium) Video files are saved as ".MOD" file extensions, although the file seems to comply with the MPEG-2 format. 3. I have already resolved to ensuring I keep the camera plugged between even intermittent uses.
Videos can be created in either letterbox (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.8. However, you should verify you can work with this file type, or be aware that you will need the included software to successfully transfer the files into a.MPG (mpeg) file format.9. This could take some time getting used to if you are moving the camera while having it trained on you as well as images in the background. (Impact: High) The features provided are surprisingly numerous for the price.2. I had no problems getting my Windows XP Dell computer to recognize the unit, which added the camera as a removable disk. If you are okay with a 640x480 resolution image, then you'll be okay with this camera; otherwise, save yourself the trouble if you want REAL DVD quality.Now, here are some specific pros and cons I have noted so far about the camera. According to the manual, it takes 2 hr 15 min to fully charge the battery, which lasts from 40-70 minutes.
Transforming the raw 704x480 into either 16:9 or 4:3 formats means you will have to do some video editing. (Impact: High) The battery is a clear con. (Impact: Low) The layout of the manual does not make it easy to find specific features.10. (Impact: Medium) The battery/SD card slots are accessed through a door on the bottom of the camera. I also examined files in 4:3 video resolution mode and found they ALSO are in 704x480 resolution (though the specs state the effective pixels is 340K). Interestingly, the unit organizes the video files into separate folders (one for each day), although I saw nothing on the unit menu playback that showed the unit uses this information.5. (Impact: Low) The buttons on the side of the camera are relatively small.
We'll see if it stays that way.Cons:1. With a 21% stretching or crushing, this ultimately affects either video quality or size (which I noted when I played the video back in true 16:9 format). 7. You can get the features to return (and the image to NOT be in the awkward mirrored mode) by pushing the monitor back against the camera with the monitor screen facing out. This means the videos must be "stretched" horizontally to approximately 853 pixels wide to fit the 16:9 format (or crushed vertically to about 396 pixels, meaning loss of data). This means it takes at least twice as long to charge as it takes to discharge. If you know how and don't mind the hassle, then you're okay. Remember, these are MY ratings based on my need.Pros1.
This might seem an odd "pro" to some but I have exceptional bad experience with electronics made in China, and personally steer clear of such items now. Also, the actual video resolution was 704x480 (330K), though the specs in the manual state the effective pixels are 300K in this format. (Impact: Low) No SD memory card comes with the unit (so be sure to purchase your own). Note that with 40-70 minutes of battery life, it doesn't make much sense going to a larger memory card unless you have multiple batteries.4.
(Impact: Medium) Price (why I bought the camera). 3. (Impact: Medium) I have not looked for another battery that would provide a longer life for recording (40 minutes is really not much), but my assumption is that since the battery fits into a slot on the bottom of the unit, it might be hard for Panasonic to produce a more powerful battery that fits here. I picked up the camera on sell for $140. This means you may need multiple batteries if you're planning an all-day trip or event.8. (Impact: High) The USB connection provides easy transfer of files to a PC or Mac. I found no explanation for why it was designed this way, but I personally find this odd.4.
Also, in this mode, everything you see is a mirror of the image being recorded. I had no problems getting my computer to recognize this format. Some I would think are Basic are under Advanced and vice-versa. This requires a technical explanation. Besides the long time to charge the battery, you should be aware that the battery will not charge while the unit is turned on. It is compact (which some might think is not good), light-weight and easy to use.The biggest drawback is not so much with the camera, but with the marketing.
The good thing is that you are not likely to do this very often.11. I examined the file information for a video that I produced in 16:9 (widescreen) mode, and was surprised at a few things. (Impact: High) A 4GB SD memory card can record 50 minutes of XP video and audio (the highest quality available on the camera). (Impact: High) Be aware that while Panasonic states that the camera will record in 16:9 and 4:3 formats, it is more accurate to state that the camera alters or manipulates the lens to produce the videos. The unit records at 48K Hz in 256Kbps AC-3 stereo format (through a single opening on the front of the unit), and offers several selectable special audio recording features (wind reduction and a zoom feature which increases or decreases sounds/noise not directly in front of the camera while zooming). If you have big hands or fingers, you might find it difficult to work your way through the menus.
It is sold as having "DVD Quality Recording" capability (there is even a label on mine on the side of the camera as a testament to this), which is not the case once you view your first video. I find this excessively restrictive.5. With current prices of 4GB SD cards, this is not bad. The stretching/crushing for the 4:3 format is not as severe, so recordings in this format will produce a video that is of slightly better quality than that of the widescreen format (just not in wide-screen). The camera has a built-in cover to protect the lens and easy to use.9. Here are my first impressions of the camera.Overall Impressions:If you have a tight budget, and are looking for a unit that uses standard memory cards for recording (as opposed to a hard drive), produces REASONABLE quality digital video and audio, and has the standard set of features, you'll like this camera. If you do the math, you will see 704x480 is NOT a 16:9 ratio (it is 22:15). (Impact: High) Sound quality is better than my previous unit, and seems quite sensitive to sound.
I should mention that I would NOT purchase this camera (for its quality and features) for more than this amount.6. If you record a video in 16:9 format and run the raw.MOD video file directly in a program like MS Media Player, you will note that your videos are compressed (in width) to fit the 704x480 resolution (faces look narrow, circles look oval, etc). (Impact: Medium) You have to plug the AC adaptor into the unit before you can connect the camera to a PC or to your TV for transferring or watching videos. It is possible some parts are Chinese, but I like knowing that the unit comes from somewhere with more experience producing quality electronics.7. I received this unit yesterday afternoon, and started playing with it immediately. (Impact: Medium) The unit is made in Japan. (Impact: Medium) While every feature setting can be viewed in the LCD monitor, it took me some time to realize that these features (or ANY menu displays) will NOT appear if the monitor is in "self-portrait" mode (where the screen is flipped out and turned 180 degrees).
Pros:small sizegood quality videouses standard SD cardsreplaceable batteryoptical zoomCons:no mic inputrelatively short battery lifeno on-board light That has worked 100% of the time for me and I've been able to import with no problems. I wanted something compact that shot good quality video (not HD, just good SD). The trick is to have iMovie '08 or '09 and to plug in the camera or card reader *after* you start iMovie. If you need lighting you can buy a light bar that will screw into the tripod mount, that's probably your best bet. If you need an external mic then you won't find that option on *any* camera at this price level. The Panasonic has lived up to that task very well. The built-in microphone records in high-quality stereo, it does pick up some environmental noise but there's not much you can do about that on any device at this price level.I use a Mac, and I've had no problem importing the video files into iMovie for editing.
I haven't used the Windows software so I can't comment on it. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this camera. I bought the SDR-S7 to use as a compact, always-with-me tool for recording video blog entries. It produces good quality video for a consumer camcorder of this type, it's incredibly compact, has optical zoom and a useful array of manual controls, and it uses standard SD cards instead of some weird proprietary format. The only downside to this camera is a result of the size - the battery life is limited to a little over an hour, and there is no cold shoe, microphone input, or auxillary lighting.
The 16:9 setting is a bit strange. All-in-all, this is a good little video camera for the money. But the specs say the camera will also shoot widescreen 16:9 and it looks like it does. The small size is a true plus. So I have no idea how this does 16:9 with only 704 x 480 pixels.
It's very easy to use and for the money, is really pretty good. I've uploaded some files to YouTube and they look reasonably good. The standard 4:3 aspect ratio is done using the 640 x 480 pixel resolution. The sound quality with the mic is really pretty good. I bought this camera on sale a few weeks ago and have used it quite a bit.
The included software is ok but one has to play with the settings a bit to get the optimum quality output. However, the max resolution of the CCD is 704 x 480 which is not true 16:9 since that would be more like 843 x 480.
THis is a very affordable item which serves my basic needs for capturing home footage.
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