-
Introduction
-
01.Product Tour
-
02.Colour & Noise Performance
-
03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
-
04.Low Light Performance
-
05.Compression & Media
-
06.Manual Controls
-
07.Still Features
-
08.Handling & Use
-
09.Playback & Connectivity
-
10.Audio & Other Features
-
11.Canon HF S21 Comparison
-
12.Sony HDR-XR520 Comparison
-
13.Panasonic HDC-HS300 Comparison
-
14.Conclusion
-
15.Specs and Ratings
-
16.Comments
Panasonic HDC-TM700
This review is organized into 16 parts
Next: Part 1
Product Tour
Introduction
As the update to Panasonic's 300-series, the expectations for the Panasonic HDC-TM700 are high... especially since the HDC-HS300 won our 2009 Selects Award for Camcorder of the Year. With exciting new features like a 1080/50p recording mode, higher pixel count, an upgraded lens ring operation, and a fairly reasonable price (£930), this camcorder should exceed its successor.
If you prefer a huge hard drive (240GB plus memory card slot) and don't mind paying a little more, you can look into the HDC-HS700, which should have similar performance to the HDC-TM700.
| Section | The Good | The Bad |
| Product Tour | Large wide angle lens; camcorder ships with a small lens hood | Nothing of note |
| Colour & Noise Performance | Excellent colour accuracy and low noise levels in bright light. | Nothing of note |
| Motion & Sharpness Performance | 1080/50p motion looked very good—and the mode produced an impeccably sharp image. | The camcorder's 50i record mode had more artefacting and wasn't nearly as sharp as the 50p mode. |
| Low Light Performance | One of the better overall low light performers we've tested. | Low light sensitivity was slightly worse than last year; colour accuracy could have been better |
| Compression & Media | 32GB internal flash memory; 1080/50p mode; SDXC memory card compatibility | The 1080/50p footage isn't compatible with most editing programmes. |
| Manual Controls | Lots of manual controls available; Intelligent Auto features work well; lens ring is fantastic for making adjustments | Gain can only be set when aperture is fully opened. |
| Still Features | Numerous photo size options and aspect ratio settings | Photos weren't nearly as sharp as we'd hoped. |
| Handling & Use | Compact body is comfortable to hold; electronic viewfinder is good to have; simple menu system | LCD has low resolution and could be larger; touch screen interface can be annoying |
| Playback & Connectivity | Most ports are well protected by tethered or hinged covers; inclusion of external mic and headphone jack is a nice touch | DC input is located inside battery compartment; slide-in adapter required for accessory shoe |
| Audio & Other Features | Plenty of audio controls; Time Lapse Record and Pre Record can be useful functions | Built-in mic isn't positioned well on the top of the camcorder. |
| Panasonic HDC-TM700 Comparisons | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Canon HF S21 | Sony HDR-XR520 | Panasonic HDC-HS300 |
Latest News & Reviews
-
29-Apr-2011
Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D Camcorder Review
With the HDC-SDT750, Panasonic is bringing 3D videography to the masses. It is definetly not cheap, but it is still comparable in cost to other flagship models. Read More...
-
10-Mar-2011
Kodak Playsport Zx3 Camcorder Review
The Playsport Zx3 is an exciting ultracompact camcorder from Kodak that combines a Full HD recording capability with a body that is waterproof up to 3 meters. The camcorder’s durable construction, and did surprisingly well in our video testing. Read More...
Top Rated Camcorders
-
1Panasonic HDC-SDT750
With the HDC-SDT750, Panasonic is bringing 3D videography to the masses. It is definetly not cheap, but it is still comparable in cost to other flagship models. Read full 17-part review
TypeConsumer -
£764.952Panasonic HDC-TM700
As the update to Panasonic's 300-series, the expectations for the Panasonic HDC-TM700 are high.. Read full 16-part review
£764.95TypeConsumer -
3Canon Legria HF G10
With the Legria HF G10, Canon's latest flagship camcorder, the company decided to use a completely different image sensor with a smaller amount of pixels. If you check out the results from our performance testing, you'll quickly see the change paid off—particularly in low light situations. Read full 16-part review
TypeConsumer -
4JVC Everio GZ-HM1
Other than a new silver paint job, JVC's newest flagship model, the Everio GZ-HM1, looks exactly like its predecessor, the GZ-HM400. JVC's biggest alteration comes in the form of a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that did wonders in improving the low light performance of this new model. Read full 16-part review
TypeConsumer -
£966.505Canon Legria HF S21
Canon's new flagship model, the HF S21, has a lot of exciting new features and controls. Its 64GB of internal flash memory, two SD/SDHC memory card slots, and the touchscreen LCD make the HF S21 one of the most appealing camcorders of 2010. Read full 17-part review
£966.50TypeConsumer
