3CCD Camera System
The S100 features a 3CCD camera system similar to the type used in most professional broadcast equipment. Since being selected as the official broadcasting equipment for the Olympic Games in 1992, Panasonic 3CCD cameras have brought breathtaking images to the homes of viewers all around the world. For the compact S100, Panasonic has downsized its professional 3CCD camera system to about 1/16 the original size in terms of surface area. In a 3CCD camera system, the incident light is split into its three primary colour components (red, green and blue), and the resulting signal from each is collected by one of the three CCDs. Compared with conventional 1CCD camera systems, Panasonic’s advanced 3CCD system gives you greater beauty in 3 different ways: colour, detail, and gradation.
3.1 Megapixel Still Picture Recording
The S100 uses Panasonic’s proprietary Quad-Density Pixel Distribution technology to convert the image signal. Providing 4x the pixel density when recording still images, this technology lets the S100 capture a 3.1-megapixel (2048 x 1512) still image. PictBridge, the standard for direct printing, lets you connect the S100 directly to a printer and print beautiful photos easily.
Advanced Pure Colour Engine
At the brain of the camcorder is the imaging engine, a component that processes signals sent from the CCDs. Its performance is critical to image quality. Panasonic’s original Advanced Pure Colour Engine is an advanced system that processes the R, G and B signals from the three CCDs individually, to remove noise and improve colour-processing accuracy. The Advanced Pure Colour Engine is a big reason why the S100 reproduces such vivid, true-to-life colours in both moving and still images.
Digital Networking
In 16:9 mode, the S100 lets you capture shots that are perfect for viewing on a widescreen TV. And if you have a Panasonic VIERA TV equipped with an SD card slot, you can view still images on the wide screen without even connecting a cable. Also, you can use a Panasonic DIGA* DVD recorder to save moving pictures and still images from the SD Memory Card onto the unit's built-in HDD.
* DIGA models DMR-E500H and DMR-E100H only, since these are MPEG2 compatible.
Easy to Record, Easy to Play Back, Easy to
Enjoy!
No more searching for blank space or worrying about recording over previous footage. Simply press the Record button, and the S100 automatically finds blank memory area and begins recording. You get easy, error-free recording, and you never have to search for a blank space or worry about accidentally recording over other images.
Index screen for simple searching
Thumbnail images of recorded scenes are listed on
an index screen, making it easy for you to find a particular scene. Once
you select a scene, playback begins instantly. You never have to fast-forward or rewind.
Delete scenes right on the spot
The index screen makes it easy to delete a scene you recorded by mistake
or don't want to keep. Just select the scene and press Delete. The scene
is deleted instantly, and you don't have to rewind.
No more missed shooting opportunities! Quick Start-Up - 1.5 sec
Unlike a DVD or an HDD camcorder, the SD Camcorder starts recording quickly. In Quick Start mode*, the S100 begins recording in just 1.5 seconds from the time the LCD is opened.
* This mode can be selected from the menu.
Easy for Anyone to Use — Simple Design
Easy operation with either right or left hand
The main control buttons are arranged symmetrically for easy single-handed operation with either right or left hand. With its compact size and ergonomic design, the S100 is easy for just about anyone to use.
Simple thumb operation
Simply turn the Mode Dial and the S100 is ready to record or play back. When you turn the dial to recording mode, the lens cover opens automatically. In all modes, you can select any available function or menu setting using only the omni-directional cursor button. The S100 is so simple in design that you can do most operations with a single finger.
Shoot without taking your eyes off the subject
When you're recording, the LCD monitor shows a number of operations you can select with One-Touch Navigation. You can make settings and control a number of operations without taking your eyes off the subject.
Easy to see, even outdoors - Power LCD
A press of the Power LCD button brightens the display, making it easier to view outdoors or in bright lighting. The S100's Intelligent AI LCD automatically determines the brightness of the scene you're focusing on, and adjusts the backlight accordingly in real-time.
High-Picture Quality Wide Mode (16:9) and 2.8"
LCD
Shoot moving pictures that look spectacular on a wide-screen TV. The S100 uses the same 16:9 aspect ratio as wide-screen TVs right from the recording stage, and it minimizes the vertical zoom ratio to boost vertical resolution. There's virtually no picture quality degradation, so you get beautiful images and all the excitement of a wide screen. The S100 also features a wide, 2.8" LCD, making it easier to frame shots in the wide-screen 16:9 format. Of course, you can frame shots for viewing on a conventional 4:3 TV as well. Whichever you select, you can rest assured that the recordings will be beautiful.
Leica Dicomar Lens
The SDR-S100 boasts a Leica Dicomar
lens. Developed specifically for digital camcorders and featuring original optical technology from Leica, maker of cameras and lenses renowned by photographers everywhere, this advanced lens captures clear, crisp, finely nuanced images with outstanding detail and contrast. Also, the lens was manufactured using a multi-coating process that reduces flare and ghosts.
* Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystem IR GmbH, and Dicomar is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.
MPEG2
The S100 uses MPEG2, the same codec used in recording DVDs. In all three recording modes (XP, SP and LP), this system plays back moving pictures at 60 fields per second - the same rate as TV broadcasts - so the motion is smooth and natural-looking.
Panasonic Original MPEG2 Engine
With its ability to accurately detect differences between current and previous frames, Panasonic’s MPEG2 system can deliver outstanding detail. Panasonic has developed its own wide-range, high-precision search engine to capture even quick motion beautifully. Accurately detecting the differences from the previous frame, this new search engine can render sprinting athletes and other fast-moving subjects with outstanding precision.
Superb LP Mode Quality — A Panasonic Specialty
In our previous system, LP mode recordings were inferior in image quality to SP recordings. Panasonic solved this by using technologies originally developed for our advanced DIGA DVD players, that double the resolution*. With the S100, you enjoy beautiful pictures no matter what recording mode you choose.
* Panasonic comparison
Networking with a PC
Data Transfer: Easily transfers data
to a PC. Transferring data is as quick and easy as inserting the SD Memory
Card into a PC.
Editing: Use a PC for flexible and powerful editing. The SD Memory
Card allows non-linear editing immediately after recording. Because the
S100 requires no finalization process, you can edit video right after you
record. The S100 comes with MotionSD STUDIO 1.0E software, which makes it
easy to add titles, text and music, and to perform non-linear edits. You
can create your own special production, then save it onto a DVD disc and
view it using a DVD player.
Storage: It's easy to save data and
use it in different ways. The S100 comes with software that makes it easy
to save images onto a DVD, convert them to MPEG4 files, and attach them to
e-mail. You'll find a host of fun, creative ways to use the moving
pictures and still images you shoot.
MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
It's hard to hold a
small camera perfectly still, so unintentional hand movements can be
a problem. This is especially true when shooting video, where even
the slightest movement as you follow a moving subject can result in
blurry images. That's why the S100 features Panasonic’s O.I.S.
(Optical Image Stabilizer) technology, which is an optical system.
While electronic systems correct the handshake in the CCD image
itself, optical systems make the correction before the CCD imaging
stage — so there's virtually no effect on image resolution or
viewing angle. Also, with Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S., the settings
automatically change when you're recording a still image, providing
double* the compensation effect.
* Panasonic comparison
Pop-Up Flash
Simply flip the lever next to the lens and the
flash pops up. By pre-measuring the light level to determine optimal
brightness, the S100 lets you take crisp, clear snapshots even in dim
lighting.
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