Canon LEGRIA HV40

The only tape-based camcorders currently manufactured by Panasonic record standard definition video. The company's HD models all either record to flash memory (like the HDC-HS300) or an internal hard drive (like the HDC-HS300). The HS300 offers the same benefits with workflow that any flash based camcorder will give you. The differences are in the weight, and the capacity, as it contains a 120GB internal harddrive.

So, lets look at how the HS300 stacks up against the HV40 based on performance, handling, and control. The HDC-HS300 did exceptionally well in most of our tests, making it one of the strongest camcorders of 2009. It beat out the HV40 in most categories, although the two camcorders had very similar video sharpness scores. The Panasonic HDC-HS300 also has more manual controls than the HV40, a splendid lens ring for making manual adjustments, and a number of new 'intelligent Auto' features that make use of Panasonic's touchscreen LCD.

If you ignore any bias you may have about recording media, the HDC-HS300 is a much better camcorder than the HV40. It has better performance, it's easier for beginners, and it feels a whole lot more comfortable in the hand. It also includes a better viewfinder than the HV40 (Panasonic's can extend). If you're going to spring for a HDD camcorder, the HDC-HS300 is the best one on the market right now. It is a good deal more expensive than the HV40 (roughly $300 more), but it is worth the extra cash.

	Comparison Specs
	Canon HV40	Panasonic HDC-HS300
Price	£ 899	£ 1,039
Primary Recording Media	MiniDV Tape	32GB internal flash memory
Secondary Recording Media	MiniSD (photos only)	SD/SDHC memory card
Image Sensor	1/2.7-inch CMOS	Three 1/4.1-inch CMOS
Effective Pixel Count	2.07 megapixels (video) 2.76 megapixels (still)	2.07 megapixels x 3 (video) 2.32 megapixels x 3 (stills)
Mic Input	Yes, 3.5mm	Yes, 3.5mm
LCD	2.7-inch with 211,000 pixels	2.7-inch LCD with 230,400-pixel resolution
Viewfinder	Yes	Yes
Weight	615g with battery	386g with battery
Dimensions	88 x 82 x 138mm	72 x 70 x 141mm
HD	Yes	Yes
Frame Rates	50i, 25p native progressive	50i, 25p
Compression	High Definition: HDV Standard Definition: DV	AVCHD
Maximum Bitrate	25Mbps	17Mbps
Optical Zoom	10x	12x
Stabilisation	Optical	Optical

100% Crops at 60 lux (Low Light)
Canon HV40 100% Crop	Panasonic HDC-HS300 100% Crop

Low Light Colour Score Comparison