Digital Cameras Ratings: Panasonic SDR-S150 3.1MP 3CCD MPEG2 Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (2GB Card Included) Review

Average Reviews:
4.2 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I have been using this camera for several weeks in lots of different conditions: indoors, outdoors, action, stills, etc. Overall, it is a great camera if you are looking for good video performance, acceptable still performance for a video camera, no tapes, and an incredibly small size which truly does fit in your pocket.

I have not had any of the dark video issues mentioned above.

I have owned many previous miniDV cameras including a JVC, Canon Elura, Panasonic 3CCD, and Sony DCR-PC1000. To my eye, the video this camera produces video as good as the others in terms of sharpness and color accuracy. I tested it side-by-side with the Sony (the most recent model of those shown), and it performed about the same to my eye as the Sony with video, although color was a little more accurate on the Panasonic, and the still images were noticeably better. I was concerned about getting an MPEG2 camera thinking the compression would cause artifacts and have trouble with action video. I have had no problems with either.

The real reason I tried this camera is that all of the above cameras have broken after a couple years of use due to a broken tape handling mechanism, and I was thrilled about the idea of a tapeless camera! The battery lasts much longer due to not having to drive a tape, and the startup time is great since it doesn't have to get the tape across the recording heads after you switch it on. I also prefer no hard drive for durability and battery life issues, and none of the hard drive cameras are even close to this in size.

Now the trade-offs you make with this camera. At first I thought it didn't go very wide-angle which was disapponting (44mm 35mm equivalent, I think?), but I tested it side-by-side with the Sony and it was nearly identical, and I never noticed lack of wide angle on the Sony. Also, the MPEG2 format is a bit of a pain. I use Final Cut Express and iMovie on a Mac, and neither reads MPEG2 directly. That said, there is a free utility which seems to be very good called Streamclip, or you can buy a $20 add-on for your QT player to play and convert MPEG2, but it's still an extra step in the process. I believe that Premiere does not support it either. Just be aware that it's not as compatible with as many editing apps as ubiquitous miniDV and a conversion step is required.

The only other camera I seriously considered (after ruling out tapes and hard drives) was the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1A, which is also an SD-based camera. Despite having a 5MP still image resolution, most video reviews for it were extremely negative. Some surmised that this is really a still camera at the core, marketed as a video camera. Furthermore it does not have optical image stabilization, which I consider a near-must for such small cameras if you want smooth video. It does indeed record in HD, but at least one review said the video quality was poor enough that it didn't really matter. It does indeed record in MPEG4, though, which is natively read by iMovie.

So if you don't mind a significantly larger camera and tapes, there may be more compelling options like the Sony HDR-HC3 which records in HD, or perhaps one the hard-drive models. But if you're looking for a tapeless video camera, and especially an SD-based one which takes truly high quality video, this appears to be the only real choice out there at the moment (Nov 2006).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SDR-S150 3.1MP 3CCD MPEG2 Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (2GB Card Included)

Product Description:
As the follow-up to the SDR-S100, the Panasonic SDR-S150 builds on the success of its predecessor. Not only can you record MPEG2 video straight to an SD card (2GB card included), but the 3CCD image sensor and optical image stabilization work to ensure that your images look their best. The S150 also uses Panasonic's proprietary Quad-Density Pixel Distribution technology to convert the image signal. Providing four times the pixel density when recording still pictures, this lets the S150 capture 3.1-megapixel (2048 x 1512) still pictures. Plus, 1.5-second quick start and a wide, 2.8-inch LCD monitor make it easy to operate.
SDR-S150 Highlights
Leica Dicomar lens
The Leica Dicomar lens was developed jointly by world renowned Leica Camera AG and Panasonic to clear stringent quality standards as an ideal lens system for digital video cameras.

Multi-coated lenses
The multicoated lens is able to suppress diffused reflection. The S150's lens system has 12 elements in 8 groups, with 14 multicoated surfaces.
Low-dispersion glasses
It minimizes chromatic aberration caused by focal deviations in the light after it enters the lens. This suppresses both colour bleeding and false colour.

O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer)
The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) cancels the hand-shake effect by stabilizing the image that reaches the CCD. Unlike the electrical stabilization system, the optical stabilization system accompanies almost no deterioration and unnatural touchup, This also works for the still picture as MEGA O.I.S. and assure sharp, clear motion pictures and still pictures.
3CCD camera system
The 3CCD camera system is used in most professional broadcast equipment. Each of the three primary colours is processed just the way it is. That means there is almost no light loss and the colour information is accurate.
Panasonic Original Engine (Crystal Engine plus MPEG2 Engine)
The Crystal Engine renders highly precise, life-like colours by processing each of the R, G and B signals from the three CCDS, while new noise shaping filters further improve processing precision. And the new Panasonic MPEG2 Engine achieves a level of recording quality in LP mode that approaches SP mode.
Crystal Engine
The three primary colours that are separated by the 3CCD system are processed individually. Noise is then optimally removed to produce images as beautiful as they appear in nature.
MPEG2 Engine
Panasonic has developed its own new MPEG2 Engine with Wide-Range Motion Search Tecnology and Variable Bit Rate System. It renders fast-moving subjects with outstanding precision. It also reproduces MPEG2 images in LP mode with the same level of resolution as images in SP mode.
With the SD/SDHC memory card, shooting video is easier and more convenient
Compact size, super-fast startup
The SD/SDHC Memory Card is just 24 x 32 x 2.1 mm (W x H x T) and weighs only 2 g (approx.). Startup time is very short too, so you can record on a moment's notice.
Use it almost anywhere
The tough little SD/SDHC Memory Card is highly resistant to heat, light, impact and dew condensation, so you can take it just about anywhere and use it in a wide range of conditions.
Quick, easy uploading to a PC
You don't have to run a finalising process when transferring data to a PC. With the SD Memory Card's quick, easy data transfer via the SD Memory Card slot, it's easy to use the video clips and still images you shoot.

Get 3% OFF