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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Colour & Noise Performance
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03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Compression & Media
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06.Manual Controls
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07.Still Features
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08.Handling & Use
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09.Playback & Connectivity
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10.Audio & Other Features
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11.Panasonic HDC-HS20 Comparison
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12.Canon HF M31 Comparison
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13.JVC GZ-HD620 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Specs and Rating
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16.Comments
Panasonic HDC-HS60
Previous: Part 11
Panasonic HDC-HS20 ComparisonNext: Part 13
JVC GZ-HD620 Comparison
Panasonic HDC-HS60 versus Canon HF M31
The Canon HF M31 is one of the best performing mid-range camcorders
we reviewed so far. It has a better colour accurary, less noise, and is
stronger when it comes to sharpness and motion than the HS60. Additionally, the HF M31
features a second frame rate (PF25), while Panasonic left off the
25p Digital Cinema Mode of the HDC-HS60.
The Panasonic HDC-HS60 represents a better value here. The HF M31 is a fairly expensive camcorder (available at retailers for around £700). The only reason to go with the Canon over the Panasonic is if you are desperate to use the alternate frame rate mode offered on the HF M31 (the camcorder has PF25 frame rate option).
Besides that, the two camcorders have a similar amount of features.
The Panasonic allows for full manual control over aperture and shutter.
Canon's shutter-priority and aperture-priority modes, however, will
probably be good enough for most users. Both camcorders use
touch-screen technology, though we prefer the HF M31's quick response.
Canon's mid-range model also has a sleek and easy-to-use menu design,
and more connectivity features (including a mic jack and hot accessory
shoe). Even so, the Panasonic HDC-HS60 is still the better choice for a lot of consumers, mainly because of its lower price.
| Comparison Specs | ||
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| Panasonic HDC-HS60 | Canon HF M31 | |
| Price | £510 | £755 |
| Primary Recording Media | 120GB internal hard drive | 32GB internal flash memory |
| Secondary Recording Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card | SD/SDHC memory card |
| Image Sensor | 1/4.1-inch CMOS | 1/4-inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixel Count | 2.11 megapixels (video) 2.32 megapixels (stills) |
2.99 megapixels (video) 3.31 megapixels (stills) |
| Mic Input | None | Yes, 3.5mm |
| LCD | 2.7-inch with 230,400 pixels | 2.7-inch with 211,000 pixels |
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Weight | 375g with battery | 400g with battery |
| Dimensions | 54.5 x 65.5 x 112mm |
70 x 62 x 124mm |
| HD | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rates | 1080/60i | 1080/60i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p |
| Compression | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) |
| Maximum Bitrate | 17Mbps | 24Mbps |
| Optical Zoom | 25x | 15x |
| Stabilisation | Optical, with Active mode | Optical |
| Scores | ||
| Panasonic HDC-HS60 | Canon HF M31 | |
| Colour | 9.14 | 8.37 |
| Noise | 9.53 | 10.35 |
| Video Sharpness | 10.97 | 12.78 |
| Low Light Sensitivity | 3.77 | 1.16 |
| Low Light Colour | 6.58 | 6.18 |
| Low Light Noise | 7.92 | 3.63 |
| Stabilisation | 5.93 | 0.91 |
| Battery Life | 103 minutes | 98 minutes |
| Low Light Comparison | |
 |
 |
| Panasonic HDC-HS60 | Canon HF M31 |
| Noise Score Comparison |
 |
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