Product not yet reviewed by PC Mag Editors.
Released in 2010 by Panasonic, the HDC-TM700 ($999 list) compact digital camcorder sports a 9.15 megapixel 3MOS sensor and a 35 millimeter, 18x zoom Leica Dicomar lens. In addition to recording at 1080p HD, this camera packs 32GB of built-in memory and features optical image stabilization.
//Compare Similar ProductsCompare
Design and Features
Panasonic's camcorder comes in an all-black tube shape that doesn't extend far beyond the size of its lens. Its left side features a 3-inch LCD screen on a swivel, meaning it can turn and pivot in nearly every direction. Users can control the zoom from underneath the screen as well as record and browse through files. In the back is an optical viewfinder as well as room underneath for the rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. The HDC-TM700 includes standard inputs and outputs like MIDI jacks, a USB 2.0 port, and a mini HDMI output.
This camcorder's 9.15 megapixel 3MOS sensor, developed by Panasonic, is self-explanatory: It's literally the combined power of three, 3.05 megapixel MOS chips. This powers the camcorder's progressive recording, which records a single image as opposed to the standard two through interlacing. This way, the HDC-TM700 captures 60 images a second.
The 18x zoom within the included 35 millimeter lens is achieved by a combination of optical and digital zoom. First, its optical zoom can extend 12x, while its Intelligent Zoom function can extend that 6x more for a 18x total zoom. While the HDC-TM700 houses 32GB of integrated memory, it can be expanded upon by SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card formats.