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Transforming the raw 704x480 into either 16:9 or 4:3 formats means you will have to do some video editing. Some I would think are Basic are under Advanced and vice-versa. (Impact: Low) No SD memory card comes with the unit (so be sure to purchase your own). If you have big hands or fingers, you might find it difficult to work your way through the menus.
Also, the actual video resolution was 704x480 (330K), though the specs in the manual state the effective pixels are 300K in this format. Remember, these are MY ratings based on my need.Pros1. (Impact: High) The USB connection provides easy transfer of files to a PC or Mac. (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). The camera has a built-in cover to protect the lens and easy to use.9.
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). I should mention that I would NOT purchase this camera (for its quality and features) for more than this amount.6. 3. I had no problems getting my Windows XP Dell computer to recognize the unit, which added the camera as a removable disk.
(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. This means it takes at least twice as long to charge as it takes to discharge. (Impact: Low) The buttons on the side of the camera are relatively small. (Impact: Medium) Price (why I bought the camera).
(Impact: Medium) The unit is made in Japan. Also, in this mode, everything you see is a mirror of the image being recorded. 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 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. (Impact: Medium) The battery/SD card slots are accessed through a door on the bottom of the camera. I have already resolved to ensuring I keep the camera plugged between even intermittent uses. We'll see if it stays that way.Cons:1.
With current prices of 4GB SD cards, this is not bad. It is possible some parts are Chinese, but I like knowing that the unit comes from somewhere with more experience producing quality electronics.7. Videos can be created in either letterbox (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.8. (Impact: High) Sound quality is better than my previous unit, and seems quite sensitive to sound. 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. According to the manual, it takes 2 hr 15 min to fully charge the battery, which lasts from 40-70 minutes. 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). 7.
(Impact: High) A 4GB SD memory card can record 50 minutes of XP video and audio (the highest quality available on the camera). (Impact: Medium) Video files are saved as ".MOD" file extensions, although the file seems to comply with the MPEG-2 format. I received this unit yesterday afternoon, and started playing with it immediately. If you know how and don't mind the hassle, then you're okay.
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. 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) 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 examined the file information for a video that I produced in 16:9 (widescreen) mode, and was surprised at a few things.
(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. This requires a technical explanation. I picked up the camera on sell for $140. 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. 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. (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. (Impact: High) The features provided are surprisingly numerous for the price.2. The screen/viewer (monitor) is surprising good (brightness, clarity, clear of defect spots) for the price.
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. 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. 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. The good thing is that you are not likely to do this very often.11. 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). If you do the math, you will see 704x480 is NOT a 16:9 ratio (it is 22:15).
I have included my own personal rating (impact) for each one. 3. 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). I find this excessively restrictive.5. I found no explanation for why it was designed this way, but I personally find this odd.4.
This means you may need multiple batteries if you're planning an all-day trip or event.8. 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: Low) The layout of the manual does not make it easy to find specific features.10. Besides the long time to charge the battery, you should be aware that the battery will not charge while the unit is turned on. I had no problems getting my computer to recognize this format. 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).
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. You MUST turn it off to charge the battery.2. 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: High) The battery is a clear con.
If you need an external mic then you won't find that option on *any* camera at this price level. 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 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. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this camera. That has worked 100% of the time for me and I've been able to import with no problems. 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. If you need lighting you can buy a light bar that will screw into the tripod mount, that's probably your best bet. I wanted something compact that shot good quality video (not HD, just good SD). I haven't used the Windows software so I can't comment on it. Pros:small sizegood quality videouses standard SD cardsreplaceable batteryoptical zoomCons:no mic inputrelatively short battery lifeno on-board light The Panasonic has lived up to that task very well.
The trick is to have iMovie '08 or '09 and to plug in the camera or card reader *after* you start iMovie.
So I have no idea how this does 16:9 with only 704 x 480 pixels. The included software is ok but one has to play with the settings a bit to get the optimum quality output. But the specs say the camera will also shoot widescreen 16:9 and it looks like it does. The 16:9 setting is a bit strange.
I bought this camera on sale a few weeks ago and have used it quite a bit. The sound quality with the mic is really pretty good. 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. It's very easy to use and for the money, is really pretty good.
The standard 4:3 aspect ratio is done using the 640 x 480 pixel resolution. All-in-all, this is a good little video camera for the money. The small size is a true plus. I've uploaded some files to YouTube and they look reasonably good.
THis is a very affordable item which serves my basic needs for capturing home footage.
Argh. The birth of my children is on this camera. I would like to throw this camera at panasonic's head.
I have to purchase a converter now. They said it would work with either a pc or a mac. My computer would not recognize the files as movie files, and it took about 5 calls to customer service to get a straight answer.
It does not work with a mac. I HATE THIS STUPID CAMERA. I'm so frustrated that they couldn't give us an answer sooner.
At the time this camera was purchased, advertising was VERY misleading.
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