-
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
Previous: Part 10
Audio & Other FeaturesNext: Part 12
Sony HDR-XR520 Comparison
Panasonic HDC-TM700 versus Canon HF S21
• Based on our testing, the Panasonic HDC-TM700 is hands down a better camcorder than the Canon HF S21.
• The benefits of the HF S21 include dual memory card slots, 64GB of internal memory, and 3.5-inch LCD.
• The HF S21's menu also looks and feels more stylish than the HDC-TM700's menu system.
• The HDC-TM700 is roughly $400 cheaper than the HF S21, and did better in nearly all of our performance tests.
In the head-to-head battle between the HDC-TM700 and the Canon HF S21 the results weren't even close—the Panasonic HDC-TM700 is the better camcorder by far. The Panasonic did better in our performance testing, has a more extensive array of manual controls, and it comes in with a much cheaper price tag than the Canon HF S21. We also found the HDC-TM700 to be more comfortable in our hand and we liked its relatively compact design.
Even though the HDC-TM700 is a much better model than the HF S21 overall, that doesn't mean the Canon doesn't have its benefits. We like that the HF S21 has double the internal memory of the HDC-TM700. The Canon also has a larger, higher-resolution LCD than the HDC-TM700, and it did better in our still image testing. We also like the sleek menu design on the Canon HF S21 better than the simple, antiquated menu you get on the Panasonic HDC-TM700.
So, yes, the Canon HF S21 does have some exciting features, but none of them are impressive enough to outweigh the fact that the HDC-TM700 did much better than the Canon HF S21 in nearly all of our testing categories. The HDC-TM700's 50p mode looked superb compared to the HF S21's highest-quality record mode, and we were very impressed by the TM700's low light capabilities and image stabilisation system.
| Comparison Specs | ||
 |
 |
|
| Panasonic HDC-TM700 | Canon HF S21 | |
| Price | £930 | £1,199.99 |
| Primary Recording Media | 32GB internal flash memory | 64GB internal flash memory |
| Secondary Recording Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card | 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots |
| Image Sensor | Three 1/4.1-inch CMOS | 1/2.6-inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixel Count | 7.59 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x3) | 6.01 megapixels |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | 3-inch with 230,400 pixels | 3.5-inch with 922,000 pixels |
| Viewfinder | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 440g (15.5 ounces) with battery | 520g (1.2 lbs.) with battery) |
| Dimensions | 66 x 69 x138mm (2.6 x 2.7 x 5.4 inches) | 75 x 74 x 148mm (3 x 2.9 x 5.8 inches) |
| HD | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rates | 50p, 50i, 25p (Digital Cinema) | 50i, PF25 |
| Compression | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD compliant, except for 50p mode) | MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) |
| Maximum Bitrate | 28Mbps (1080/50p) 17Mbps (1080/50i) |
24Mbps |
| Optical Zoom | 12x | 10x |
| Stabilisation | Optical with Power OIS mode | Optical with Dynamic and Powered IS settings |
| Scores | ||
| Panasonic HDC-TM700 | Canon HF S21 | |
| Colour | 11.99 | 6.92 |
| Noise | 11.27 | 7.97 |
| Video Sharpness | 13.57 | 11.97 |
| Low Light Sensitivity | 6.3 | 4.34 |
| Low Light Colour | 7.36 | 6.23 |
| Low Light Noise | 11.91 | 6.99 |
| Stabilisation | 11.47 | 6.17 |
| Battery Life | 107 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Low Light Comparison | |
 |
 |
| Panasonic HDC-TM700 | Canon HF S21 |
| Bright Light Colour Score Comparison |
 |
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
Features
-
Video Editing Software For Your Camcorder
We take an in-depth look at the most common video editing software packages, including the basic programs that come packaged with your camcorder. Read More...
-
Camcorderinfo.co.uk Select Awards 2009
It’s time once again for our annual CamcorderInfo select awards. Each year, we honor the camcorders that really rise above the rest during our review process. The camcorders you’ll read about below have all survived a battery of tests—tests that are designed to give every camcorder fair and equal treatment. These models have also been carefully compared to the competition. Read More...
