Panasonic HDC-TM700

The Panasonic HDC-TM700 is a very impressive camcorder. In regard to video performance, it exceeded all other camcorders and has some pretty remarkable upgrades over last year's 300-series.

The most appealing new feature is the TM700's 1080/50p record mode. Its high bitrate provided one of the best videos, with crisp and nearly noise-free images. Unfortunately, Panasonic's technology is a tad ahead of the curve when it comes to workflow:  the footage is not yet compatible with most editing programmes. Panasonic does have software, with which you can view your footage, but most third-party programmes won't even let you do that.

Other new features on the HDC-TM700 include a big wide angle lens and some design enhancements (the lens ring can be used with the LCD open). It seems like Panasonic also improved the colour in the 700-series: the HDC-TM700 has more accurate and higher-saturated colours than the 300-series. Panasonic did increase the size of the LCD on the HDC-TM700, but we're disappointed that the screen was only bumped up to 3 inches. (The new flagship models from Sony, Canon, and Samsung each feature 3.5-inch LCDs.) Fortunately, the excellent lens ring on the HDC-TM700 makes the not-so-exciting touch screen bearable.

The Panasonic HDC-TM700 is a very strong performer, perhaps the best camcorder of this year... we still have a lot of camcorders to test, though. The only downside is working with the 1080/50p footage, but if you can overlook this, you will be more than pleased with its performance. If you prefer an internal hard drive, Panasonic also offers the HDC-HS700, with its larger body (due to the 240GB hard drive) and bigger pricetag (1,199.99 £).