High quality picture and sound

3MOS sensor
The HS300, TM300 and HS250 feature three of Panasonic's new 1/4.1-inch 3,050,000-pixel MOS sensors. One sensor is used for each of the three primary colours (red, green, and blue), with each sensor containing an effective 2,070,000 motion-image pixels, making it full-HD size. The three sensors team up to capture all the colour information in the scene (see diagram) and produce full-HD (1920 x 1080) images. Virtually no light is lost, so images are rich and vivid. With its total of 9,150,000 pixels (including an effective 6,210,000 motion-image pixels), the 3MOS System captures a huge amount of visual data, which translates into accurate, true-to-life images with vivid colour and stunning detail. And thanks to 1,080 lines of horizontal resolution, detail is exceptional. This advanced system uses the same approach as the 3-sensor systems that were first developed for use in professional broadcast equipment. With a Panasonic 3MOS camcorder, you can capture precious events in beautiful images that you'll enjoy viewing again and again.

 Shooting in lighting as low as 1.6 lx
With one of Panasonic's new 3MOS sensor model, you can shoot clear shots in lighting as low as 1.6 lx. With the 3MOS Sensor, there is minimal loss of colour information. This lets you shoot even in fairly dark places. Together with the high-performance HD Advanced pure colour engine, the 3MOS System lets you capture clear, low-noise images even when the lights are low.

 Advanced O.I.S. (Optical image stabilization)
Panasonic's advanced O.I.S. helps suppress the effects of hand-shake as you shoot, for both motion and still images. This system uses gyrosensors to detect even tiny amounts of hand-shake, then shifts a lens and adjusts the optical axis to compensate – all at an astounding 4,000 times per second. It also covers approximately 3 times the stabilization area of our previous SD9 model. Because the system is optical, there's only minimal loss of image quality even when viewed on a large-screen TV. In addition, to shoot high-resolution still images, the normal O.I.S. Mode 1 is joined by an O.I.S. Mode 2*, which has a higher stabilization capability. The O.I.S. corrective lens shifts and stabilizes the image the instant that the shutter button is pressed, to enable greater precision in stabilization. You get all the beauty and minimal blurring.

Mode 1 (Normal O.I.S.) The O.I.S. corrective lens constantly shifts for continuous stabilization.

Mode 2 (Still image O.I.S.)* The O.I.S. corrective lens constantly shifts for continuous stabilization.

* Only the HS300, TM300 and HS250 are equipped with Mode 2.

HD Advanced pure colour engine Panasonic took the advanced imaging circuitry used in our professional equipment and adapted it for home use in the HD advanced pure colour engine. The result is a high-speed processing unit that can handle the huge volumes of data and virtually doubles the dynamic range. The HD advanced pure colour engine also incorporates a system that improves resolution and reduces noise so your video looks just the way they do in real life.

New Leica Dicomar lens
The HD camcorders also introduce a new high-performance Leica lens in which both resolution and contrast have been improved by refinements to our low-dispersion lens and aspherical lens. A multi-coating process applied to all lens surfaces helps suppress ghosts and flaring, so you get sharp, crisp images even in strong outdoor lighting. The superb rendering ability of this advanced camcorder lens makes it ideal for capturing expressive full-HD images.

* Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystem IR GmbH, and Dicomar is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

16x Optical zoom (HDC-SD20 and HS20)
With the 16x^*1 optical zoom, you can zoom close to catch dynamic shots of distant objects. And because the zoom is optical, there's limited image degradation. Also, Panasonic's Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) helps prevent blurring – typically a big concern when shooting with a zoom. This combination of optical zoom and Advanced O.I.S. gives you the ability to take fantastic zoom shots.

^*1 The HDC-HS300, TM300 and HS250 have a 12x optical zoom.

 Extended optical zoom (HDC-HS300, TM300 and HS250)
The Extended optical zoom gives you zoom power all the way to 20x^*1. This function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power by using the centre part of the sensors. When compared with conventional digital zoom functions that directly enlarge the image data, it provides better image quality.

^*1 In 0.3-megapixel resolution mode.

5.1-Channel surround sound, zoom microphone and focus microphone
Panasonic HD camcorders are equipped with five^*1 electret condenser microphones. The centre mic helps capture the sound source and distance accurately, so you get a more 3-dimensional effect than you get with conventional systems, which capture all sounds from the front. You get a realistic sound space that's a perfect match with the true-to-life HD images

^*1 HDC-SD20 and HS20 are equipped with 3 microphones.

 Bass control (HDC-HS300 and TM300)
You can adjust the level of low-frequency sound that is included in the audio track while shooting.

 Focus mode (HDC-HS300, TM300 and HS250)
In this mode the microphones focus on sounds coming from right in front of you, even when the lens is not zooming.

 Zoom mode
In Zoom mode the microphones are linked to the lens action. When you zoom in on a subject, the microphones focus on the sound in that same direction.

Intelligent auto technology

Intelligent auto mode (iA)
Sometimes a scene is backlit or too dark, or it's difficult to get a good focus on the subject. Adjusting the settings every time is not only a hassle, it can be very tricky. That's where iA comes in. This powerful function senses the shooting conditions and automatically activates functions that will deliver optimal results. With both motion and still images, iA lets you forget about bothersome settings and makes it easy to capture beautiful, well-focused images.

* The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.

 Advanced O.I.S.
Panasonic’s advanced O.I.S. helps suppress the effects of hand-shake as you shoot. You get all the beauty of the shot, even at high zoom levels.

 AF/AE tracking
Touch the LCD screen to indicate the subject, such as a person or an animal, that you want to focus on, and let AF/ AE tracking do the rest. The camera locks on the subject and follows it around, keeping it in sharp focus and properly exposed. It keeps tracking even if the subject turns to the side. This advanced function makes it easy to get a continually clear, beautiful shot of the subject in the scene you care most about.

 Face detection
This mode captures faces beautifully. Face detection automatically senses the ambient lighting and adjusts the exposure accordingly, so faces are bright and easy-to-see. The focus also prioritizes the faces, and skin tones are smoothed. Faces in the center of the frame serve as the reference for adjustments, but the function can detect up to 15 faces in all.

 Intelligent contrast control
By detecting the intensity of the ambient light and adjusting the exposure accordingly, Intelligent contrast control prevents blown highlights and blocked shadows. This helps render natural-looking, highly nuanced images with proper contrast.

 Intelligent scene selector
The Intelligent Scene Selector function analyzes the shooting situation and automatically switches the camcorder to the Scene Mode that will give you optimal results.

 Low light
In dim lighting, the camcorder automatically switches to a slower shutter speed so that images across the entire frame are bright and easy to see.

 Portrait
This mode captures faces beautifully. With Soft skin mode, complexions are automatically enhanced to make faces attractive.

 Scenery
This mode is ideal for shooting wide landscapes and sweeping vistas, such as at the ocean or in the mountains. It balances the exposure over the entire frame to prevent brighter parts of the image, such as the sky, from being washed out or having blown highlights.

 Spotlight
The camcorder automatically uses this mode for scenes with particularly strong contrast, such as when you're shooting a spotlight area on a darkened stage. It captures the well-lit subject perfectly and prevents washed-out areas.

iA Mode for still images
The iA function is active even when the camera is in Still image mode. When the Intelligent scene selector detects the shooting situation, it automatically switches to one of the five Scene modes (Portrait, Scenery, Night scenery, Night portrait and Macro), for still image shooting, and optimizes the settings for the still image.

Networking and editing functions

Archiving and viewing

 Archiving
The HD camcorders have a USB Host function that lets you connect directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. Then just press a button and you can copy the moving images you recorded from the SD card, Built-in Memory, or HDD to a DVD disc.

 Easy AVCHD to MPEG-2 conversion
You can make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format. Choose the one that matches your playback equipment.

 Viewing
To view the disc you just burned, simply connect the HD camcorder to an HDTV via an HDMI mini cable.

Viewing full-HD images on a HD television
Just connect your HD camcorder to an HDTV and get ready for an incredible high-definition video show. If your TV is HDMI* compatible, a single HDMI mini cable is all you need. When using a video component cable, you need a separate audio cable.

 VIERA Image Viewer
Just slip the SD or SDHC memory card from your camcorder into the VIERA Image Viewer card slot on your VIERA TV, and you're ready to view full-HD moving images recorded in the AVCHD format.

 VIERA LINK
Connect your HD camcorder to a VIERA or compatible Blu-ray Disc player via an HDMI cable, and you can control both units in synchronized operation with a single remote control. This kind of simple, easy operation makes it enjoyable to view your recordings.

* With VIERA Link, a control signal sent through the HDMI cable allows linked operation of a VIERA TV, compatible DIGA DVD recorder, and the HD camcorder. Please note that this function applies only to equipment that is compatible with VIERA Link, and that VIERA Link does not let you control every function of all connected equipment.

YouTube™ uploading
HD Writer AE1.0 software, included with the camcorder, makes it easy to play or edit videos on your PC and have more fun when the shooting’s done.

• Import data: When the camcorder is connected to a PC, the software automatically starts up. Importing data takes only a single click of the mouse.
  
  
• Highlight playback: Chooses the most exciting scenes and plays them all together, backed by music.
  
  
• Editing: It's easy to add titles, rearrange scenes, provide transition effects, and edit images in single frame units.
  
  
• Archiving: Make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format.

Encode to MPEG-2 with a single click, then upload with ease. This makes it easy to upload your favourite videos to YouTube™, and share them with people around the world.

Recording functions

1.9 sec quick power on
Switch the power on and the HD camcorders are in standby mode in just 1.9 seconds*, ready to shoot when you are. This fast startup also helps reduce battery consumption.

* Depending on the recording conditions, start time may be longer than 1.9 seconds in still picture recording mode. In SD Card or Built-in Memory recording mode only.

0.6 sec quick start
In quick start mode* you simply flip open the LCD and you are ready to record 0.6 seconds. You are always ready to capture the moment, even when the unexpected occurs. Also, power consumption in quick start mode is less so you save battery time.

* Depending on the recording conditions, start time may be longer than 0.6 seconds in Still picture recording mode.

Auto power LCD
The LCD brightness can be adjusted manually to suit the surroundings. In Auto Mode, the LCD brightness is adjusted automatically in 16 smooth steps depending on the surroundings. In darker rooms it adjusts to a lower brightness, making it easier to frame the shot. Outside, it adjusts to almost twice the brightness for easy viewing even on sunny days.

^*1 When recorded at 0.9 megapixel resolution.

PRE-REC function
This clever function records three seconds of images even before you actually begin shooting. The images are held temporarily in the camcorder's internal memory, before recording onto the SDHC/SD Memory Card or hard disk begins. This helps ensure that you won't miss the start of a moment you want to record, such as when an event begins all of a sudden.

Relay recording (HDC-TM300)
The new Relay recording mode automatically switches from the built-in flash memory (once it's full) to the SD card and continues recording. You don't have to worry about missing an important shot while switching media.

How to combine motion images that are split onto two types of media as a continuous scene:

• Arrange the data that is split onto two types of media on an SD card If the SD card has sufficient capacity, it's possible to arrange all of the split data as a single continuous scene on the SD card.


• Use a DVD burner to create a disc. If the SD card is not big enough to hold all of the split data, use a DVD burner to create a disc with all the moving pictures as a single continuous scene.

Still picture recording at 10.6 megapixels*1 (HDC-HS300, TM300 and HS250) In Still image mode the HD camcorder can record stills with up to 10.6 megapixels. When simultaneously shooting a moving picture, it can record still images with up to 8.3 megapixels.*2 This high pixel count and Advanced O.I.S. mean that images look dense and beautiful. Also, when playing back the moving pictures you shot, you can capture a 2.1-megapixel still image of any scene you want. Panasonic's HD camcorder lets you enjoy high quality in both motion and still images.

^*1 For images recorded with a 3:2 aspect ratio.
^*2 For images recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Time lapse recording (HDC-TM300 and HS300)
The time lapse function uses longer frame intervals than standard shooting. You can use this function to capture shortened or condensed footage of events that actually take place over a much longer time period. For example, time lapse recording is ideal for shooting a flower in the process of blooming, or a long, slow sunset. With time lapse recording, you have an interesting new video technique to explore.

* The maximum continuous recording time is 12 hours.

Touchscreen operation
Control settings are made by simply touching the LCD screen. Operation is intuitive and easy, and the large letters are easy to read. Shooting and viewing are simple and stress-free – even for beginners.

 Quick menu button (HDC-HS300 and TM300)
The “Quick menu” button on the panel is convenient for setting the function you use most often.

 REC and ZOOM buttons (HDC-HS300, TM300 and HS250)
The REC and ZOOM buttons on the panel are easy to use… great for low-angle and other special shooting situations.

Other

Highlight and time frame index
The index function has been enhanced with the addition of a new feature that divides each recorded scene into a number of smaller scenes, and displays thumbnails for each. This makes it much easier to find a particular part of a scene without having to fast forward.

 Highlight index
The camera automatically selects and displays the most exciting scenes. It determines the level of importance of each scene based on zooming and panning, and whether there are faces and cheers. This gives you an easy, convenient way to view all the highlights together.

 Time frame index
This mode divides each recorded clip into 3-second, 6-second, 12-second, 1-minute and 5-minute intervals, and displays them. This is convenient when you want to find a specific scene within a long clip.

Highlight playback
Select the days of the recordings you want to see, and this innovative function automatically selects the most exciting scenes, arranges them, and plays them, backed by music. It decides how exciting a scene is based on zooming, panning, and scene changes, and whether there are faces and cheers. This gives you a quick, easy way to view the most exciting scenes all together. It's a great way to look back over exciting memories that you have recorded.

Manual control ring (HDC-HS300 and TM300)
The manual ring gives you easy, fingertip control over focus, zoom and exposure settings. You'll find using the ring a much more intuitive, comfortable, user-friendly process than accessing a menu screen. The manual ring and manual operation are a pleasure to use and give you the freedom to craft unusually expressive images.

 Focus
Moving the focal point back or forth lets you guide the viewer's gaze just like in the movies.

 Iris
Open or close the aperture to get just the right amount of brightness from the surrounding light.

 Shutter speed
Use a fast shutter speed to catch sports and other fast-action scenes without blurring, and slow it down for greater emotion, like images of flowing water. Try your hand at all kinds of versatile expressions.

 White balance
Select from Auto, Indoor, Outdoor and Manual according to the location, weather or type of lighting. You'll always get the best possible colouring even if the light source changes.

 Zoom
You have full control of the zooming speed and can zoom in or out to the precise degree you want.

MIC input and headphone jack (HDC-HS300 and TM300)
Sounds that are hard to pick up with the internal microphone, like birds singing and water flowing are clearly captured by an external microphone. Connecting a headphone also lets you monitor the microphone on the spot to ensure that you get exactly the sounds you want.

On-screen assist (HDC-TM300 and HS300)
A guide for correcting the exposure is shown on the monitor and is ideal for making fine brightness adjustments.

 Histogram
A graph with brightness (horizontal axis) and number of pixels at that brightness (vertical axis) is displayed. It is possible to determine the exposure of the whole image by looking at the distribution in the graph.

 Luminance
Displays the luminance level of the center of the screen (luminance display frame) in %. It makes the adjustment of the brightness of the object easier, by checking the luminance level of the object, when recording the same object in different surroundings.

 Zebra pattern
Parts of an image where white saturation (colour saturation) is likely to occur (extremely brightly lit or shiny parts) are displayed with diagonal lines (zebra pattern).