Any Panasonic HDC-HS200/HDC-TM200 users?

[asthio88]

Hi all,

I am thinking of getting either a Panasonic HDC-TM200 or HS200. Has anyone used them before? Is there any noise when the HDD is recording? How's the vid quality in low light? Are they better compares to Canon HF200 or Sony HDR-CX100E?

I am also offered a used Sony HDR-SR7E at $930 (1+ yr, w/o warranty, only cam w/o any accessories) , is it a good buy?

Looking forward to your kind input.

Cheers & Thanks...

 

[TsQ]

from the camcorderinfo review (pretty good) .. the 200 series panasonic is best in IS, while on par with sony for low light.. and beat Canon hands dn for low light... in bright scene, canon HFs10 wins.. so depands u need low light recording or not, if u need.. pana's 200 series is better

 

[asthio88]

hi TsQ, thanks for the input. Yes, pretty good in some online reviews bt not sure how accurate. Was thinking of getting comments from users.

anyone has any idea how much is the original pana wide angle converter roughly cost?

 

[TsQ]

camcorderinfo review is one of the best.. accuracy is hard to say but the camera i have after readin his review is accurate.. all the pro and cons he mentioned is almost towards what i encouter when i use it..

his fav cam now for 2009 is the panasonic 300-series models.. hehe.. which is also the models i really like..

pricejapan very cheap.. but worried about warranty la.. their HS300 only SGD1300 (here sgd 1850)

 

[asthio88]

i dont remember seeing review on HS200/TM200 in camcorderinfo but the HS300. is there any difference in term of performance since both model share similar specs (except the manual ring/evf in the 300 series)?

yeah, online price is very tempting bt not sure how safe it is. have nt bought anything frm pricejapan, can some kind soul share your experience?

i read your post on editing the avchd, may i knw what program you used? do you do raw editing or having it converted to avi or othr format 1st?

 

[TsQ]

200 and 300 different is manual ring and VF.. i think thats it. but the manual ring is something worth paying for.. i tried to focus via on screen and its very hard.. but the touch screen focus mode works wonders.. so if u hv to hv a manual focus effect, its still possible with the 200 , just that i cannot control the speed of focusing..

200 and 300 differe ard SGD200 only *assuming the TM to TM, HS to HS model comparison*

seriously the pana is really nice.. the OIS is amazing... pic quality i cant tell until its on the big screen but i dont think shld be dissapointed. i am sooo close to order it from pricejapan...

 

[asthio88]

so you have actually tested the camcorder? woah.. :thumbsup:
what bout the audio? supposing if you zoom all the way, can the audio be recorded as well? i am very tempted to get the HS200, was quoted ard $1.5k plus.

 

[TsQ]

so you have actually tested the camcorder? woah.. :thumbsup:
what bout the audio? supposing if you zoom all the way, can the audio be recorded as well? i am very tempted to get the HS200, was quoted ard $1.5k plus.

i played with it many times in bestdenki while waiting for my wife (but different store ofcos..hehe) .. so everything i say is based on what i tested there only.. therefore cannot tell u much about sound quality or actual PQ

according to the catalog (can download) , the audio will zoom together with the lens.. however i asked my bro (whom is a higher end video/photograher user), he says no way the build in mic can do any good.. and no point to compare sony vs pana vs canon on this as all just won't do well with zoom in mic, which is why the higher end models will hv "Mic in" for a proper, zoom capable mic

$1.5k eh? i also trying to decide btw TM200 or TM300/HS300 ..

ohh i forgot to addd.. beside the 200 series leaving out the manual ring, it also leave out this "time lapse" feature found in 300 series. "time lapse" enable u to record 12 hrs footage non stop in slow frame rate (like sunrise, flower blooming etc)... ok.. time lapse i think most wont use it.. but the manual ring is VERY useful if u like to focus in, focus out a lot.. i try to focus via the LCD in TM200 but i always outshot it..

(btw 200 and 300 hv touch screen focus.. very useful indeed.. and might let u do without the 300's focus ring if u are happy with the standard focus speed via the cam's AF)

price japan sells HS300 , with DHL to spore at SGD1300.. say 7% GST so total 1391 .. while HS200 is ard 1.5k like u say here.. hard to decide which way to go..

you hv idea how much is TM200 costing?? i rather pay less and do without the 80gig HDD for the 200 series...

 

[asthio88]

i went to a few best denki & HN outlets but didn't find any HS200 or 300 on display. product catalogs usually look good bt actual function may differ

the one function that really interest me is the AF tracking which will lock focus on the subject even if it moves. i am using it for taking vids on my young kids who move a lot, so just nice. not sure how effective though..

TM200 is $70 less. any idea how much is the external mic and the wide angle converter? maybe we should consider buying online together? i have no experience and has nvr purchased anything above $1k online, not sure worths it or not

 

[TsQ]

i went to a few best denki & HN outlets but didn't find any HS200 or 300 on display. product catalogs usually look good bt actual function may differ

the one function that really interest me is the AF tracking which will lock focus on the subject even if it moves. i am using it for taking vids on my young kids who move a lot, so just nice. not sure how effective though..

TM200 is $70 less. any idea how much is the external mic and the wide angle converter? maybe we should consider buying online together? i have no experience and has nvr purchased anything above $1k online, not sure worths it or not

i refer to the catalog as to say its a available feature, good or not i'm not sure but like what my brother said, its not gonna be too effective as the mic is located on top of the camera.. no way it can zoom in effectively.

external mic i not sure how much.. u can call panasonic SG for a RRP.. wide angle might cost u $150-200 for original , OEM will be much cheaper.

i also worried with online order but pricejapan is popular site for many australian, US to buy projectors.. as for their camcorders, they will help buyer to claim warranty within 1 yrs if anything spoils. but u hv to pay the postage to and from Japan which will cost u ard Sgd 80-100 for 2 way postage...

if the repair is minor, u can pay panasonic SG to do it for u too..

now i am just wondering shld i buy the HS300 for $1300 (1390 if got tax), or ard $1500+ for TM200 .. the $100-200 saving can go for a batt + Charger (they dont give u charger) , yet can hv the top range model..

forget about "buying together" .. haha.. as u'll having higher chance to let custom to tax u ..

Let me know if u see TM200 price.. (hear SD200 not available anymore).. btw which shop u asked? MS Color not replying my e-quote...

 

[asthio88]

exactly my point, the mic is located on top. i don't see how it can zoom in.

most shops out of stock bt they (CP, MSC) can place order frm Panasonic. was told couple of days but not sure how many.

if the saving is significant enough, i guess it's worth the trouble getting online and use the diff in the case of servicing is needed. the problem is i just don't feel comfy doing so. it's just me, kiasee.. :sweat:

anyway big tks to your input. i will head down later today and see whthr i can test one.

cheers...