Panasonic HDC HS9

Résumé : Three years ago, the Panasonic HDC-HS9 would have been revolutionary, and its image-quality-to-price ratio would have impelled users to look past its limitations. Today, the camcorder is an also-ran on our comparison chart. Its most impressive ...

Points forts : Compact size Affordable price

Points faibles : Disappointing image quality Poor low-light footage

Conclusion : Output jacks include component and composite video, USB, and HDMI ports. Unfortunately, the HDMI and DC power ports are located behind the battery, so accessibility is an issue. Working with video generated by the HDC-HS9 requires a fast modern ...

Résumé : It may not be a looker, but in all other respects this Panasonic is a stunning camera

Résumé : The HDC-HS9 delivers a decent image in bright light, but it's nothing to hold a parade for. Inside are three 1/6-inch CCDs, which is a downgrade from Panasonic's first-generation HDC-SD1, which had larger chips. Sharpness, color detail, and overall ...

Conclusion : The HDC-HS9's Auto mode suits most well-lit shooting environments. However, in lower light settings we noticed the auto focus faltering. For shooters who want a modicum of interaction with their camcorder but may not have a lot of shooting experience, ...

Résumé : Panasonic deserves credit for its attempt at the HDC-HS9 ($999 MSRP). Featuring a 60GB hard disk drive and a three-chip CCD imaging system, the camcorder's most attractive feature may be its small size. The design suffers for its slim figure, however, ...

Conclusion : Overall, the Panasonic HDC-HS9 is a decent all-around camcorder, and has proved popular in the market, but fails to best address the needs of any particular audience. Better video performance can be found from the Canon HF10 and HF100 or Sony HDR-SR11 ...

Résumé : Hi-def camcorders are shrinking so rapidly, they make singer Amy Winehouse seem positively plump. A great example is the new Panasonic HDC-HS9, a combination 60GB hard disk drive, SDHC...

Points forts : Ample HD storage ; compact and lightweight

Points faibles : Poor video and still quality ; menu and icons need updating ; poorly placed joystick