Panasonic unveils AVCHD “700″ series

Celebrating the fact that it is now the UK’s leading brand for high definition camcorders*, Panasonic has announced three impressive new AVCHD models aimed at flying the flag for the brand in 2010.

The new flagship “700-series” models continue the trend for high specification HD camcorders that incorporate not one but three CMOS image sensors and choice of recording media as well as today’s must-have 1080p progressive scan recording and playback facility.

Panasonic HDC-TM700 3MOS AVCHD Camcorder

The Panasonic HDC-TM700, HDC-SD700 and HDC-HS700 models all share technical specifications that include full HD recording (1920 x 1080, 50i with a 50p progressive scan user-selectable option), an ultra wide 35mm wide-angle lens, Panasonic’s own advanced 3MOS system as well as a newly-developed Power O.I.S optical image stabilisation in addition to new-improved Face Recognition technology.

Three models – three recording format options

The 700 series models differ by their recording format only. The hybrid-type HDC-HS700 records full-HD movies and digital photos onto both its large 240GB (Gigabtye) Hard Disc Drive as well as to SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Cards.

The twin-memory HDC-TM700 offers a choice of recording onto its 32GB built-in memory as well as to an SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Card and – as such – offers a potential 64GB recording and playback capacity.

The HDC-SD700 offers SDXC, SDHC or SD Memory Card recording only – allowing a slimmer and more compact design. Users can select from the three camcorder types based on their preferred media – but in all other respects the camcorders offer similar features and identical performance.

Offering 1080p progressive scan recording

Whilst the default setting for all 700-series models is 1080/50i, users are provided with the option to record in full 1080p (1920×1080/50p Progressive Scan) mode (in Europe and PAL countries).

Panasonic, of course, is in the business of supplying some of the best large-screen HDTV displays, and is keen to point out the advantages of shooting full-HD video in a manner that looks good on its 1080p Viera TV displays when connecting a HDC-HS700, HDC-TM700 or HDC-SD700 to the display via an HDMI connection.

Newly-developed, advanced 3MOS system and improved optics

The newly-developed, high-sensitivity 3MOS system is designed to provide effective motion image pixel count of 9.15 million (3,050,000 pixels x 3).

This new triple image sensor separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colours – red, green and blue – and processes each colour independently. As a result, it offers images with significantly improved colour quality, detail and gradation than the 1MOS single-sensor system.

Panasonic HDC-SD700 3MOS AVCHD Camcorder

The  newly developed Crystal Engine Pro large-diameter F1.5 lens combined with the high-sensitivity sensors are together reported to have improved the light collection rate, increased sensitivity, and reduced noise by one-half to provide users with bright, low-noise recording even in dim lighting.

The new models can shoot 14.2-megapixel still images (when shooting in Still Image mode) as well as facilitating 13.3-megapixel still images whilst a movie image is being recorded (known as simultaneous recording).

Semi-professional feature set on all three models

The three 700-series models are equipped with a 12x (12:1 ratio) optical zoom which can be controlled manually thanks to a large, knurled focus ring. Also in evidence are an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), Hot Shoe and Microphone Input terminal as well as facilitating the monitoring of incoming sound via headphones thanks to a headphone jack.

5.1-channel surround sound

A further flagship feature in the 700 series models is the inclusion of a 5.1-channel sound system that uses five discretely-positioned microphone capsules.

When voices recorded from the front, right, left and back are played back on a 5.1-channel home cinema system, viewers are surrounded by what Panasonic assures us is a clear, detailed sound that makes them feel as if they are right in the middle of the action.

A Zoom Mic function is designed to link the microphone’s action to the camera’s action. When zooming in on a bird in the distance, for example, the microphones will also zoom in on the bird in link with the lens zooming operation and record the bird’s chirping accordingly.

The Focus Microphone function, which has been made possible by five highly directional microphones, picks up the sounds from sources in the area in front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object.

Effective wind noise cancelling

One brand new feature that impressed SimplyDV is the new Wind Noise Canceller, which has evolved from Panasonic’s previous Wind Cut function. This clever utility automatically detects and suppresses intrusive wind noise by the use of audio filters to the extent that it effectively removes a lot of unwanted noise within the whole sound spectrum.

Panasonic HDC-HS700 3MOS AVCHD Camcorder

Optical charisteristics

The 46mm diameter F1.5 Leica Dicomar Lens on the HDC-HS700 and HDC-TM700 models is manufactured using measuring instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on that company’s quality standards. The 700-series lens is designed not only to suppress ghosting and flare, but will also minimise the distortion and degradation of contrast and resolution that tend to occur at the lens periphery.

Intelligent Zoom for intelligent zooming

The 12x optical zoom lens is further enhanced by Intelligent Resolution Technology in the Crystal Engine Pro image-processing circuit, to produce the new 18x Intelligent Zoom. All of the new 3MOS HD models are equipped with a 35mm wide-angle lens that Panasonic claims will be ideal for many different shooting situations, such as self-portraits and group photos indoors, and landscape shots outdoors.

Intelligent Auto now with Power O.I.S.

The iA (Intelligent Auto) function – highly popular on previous models, we’re told – is included in these models. Additionally, Panasonic’s new Power O.I.S. is said to employ approximately five times the corrective power of conventional systems to effectively suppress blurring from low-frequency vibration, which was previously difficult to achieve. The addition of Active mode, which minimizes the blurring and makes it easier for users to shoot while walking or whilst shooting from a moving vehicle.

New Face Recognition circuitry

The iA function, which automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode at the press of a button, has further evolved. In addition to the previous five functions, the new iA offers a Face Recognition function.

Flying the flag: Panasonic HDC-TM700 3MOS AVCHD

This increasingly-important utility, which allows a maximum of six faces to be registered, finds the registered faces of subjects and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure for them. It then continues to tracks and optimises the image detail relating to the subject as it moves around within the LCD frame.

High recognition accuracy can be ensured under various shooting conditions by registering facial images from different angles or with different expressions for each person. Names can also be displayed up to three on the LCD. Smile Shot is another handy function. It automatically records a still image during motion image recording when the camcorder detects a smiling face on the subject.

UK and Republic of Ireland Availability

We’re informed by Panasonic UK that the new models will be available from March 2010. We’ll do our best to bring the first online review of one or more of these models, of course!

*Statistical source: GFK Retail & Technology UK, Great Britain Camcorders Market (High Definition) Value share %, Sept-Oct 2009

Source: Panasonic UK Press Release. Images supplied by Panasonic, used by permission. Additional words by Colin Barrett.

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