Panasonic HDC-TM300

A viewfinder and a lens ring (to adjust focus, zoom, etc.) are two pro-style features that few consumer camcorders bother with these days. That's why critics are impressed to find them on the Panasonic HDC-TM300, along with high-definition video quality that rivals that of Canon and Sony camcorders. In fact, several experts pick the Panasonic HDC-TM300 over the top-ranked Canon Vixia HF S10 (*Est. $1,140) and Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V (*Est. $1,300), although the Canon camcorder is recommended more often. The Panasonic HDC-TM300 is very similar to the Panasonic HDC-HS300 (*Est. $1,200), except the less expensive Panasonic HDC-TM300 records to flash memory instead of a hard drive. Most experts compliment video quality, but some sources do criticize the Panasonic HDC-TM300's touch-screen controls as unresponsive or tedious to use. One source reports that the Panasonic makes a whirring noise you can hear on your videos.

CamcorderInfo.com subjects the Panasonic HDC-TM300 to its usual exhaustive testing, comparing it directly against top camcorders from Sony, Canon and JVC. TrustedReviews.com, a U.K. site, also thoroughly tests the HDC-TM300 and briefly compares it with competing Sony and Canon camcorders. A review at CNET is also very thorough, but it draws only general comparisons with other brands. A test-based review at Wired is shorter and less detailed, but it provides a good summary of the HDC-TM300's pros and cons. The U.K.'s Which? magazine conducts tests on more than 50 HD camcorders, but its reports are available only to subscribers.