Panasonic HDC-TM300 (Black)

Pros: Video Quality, Features, Build

Cons: Cant adjust certain functions in auto

Summary: I have used a Sony FX1 for the last 5 years semipro, but found that I was using it for family events also. It was alot to carry on vacations etc. So the wife told me to get a small easy to carry unit. I fiquired I was going to deal with a lower HD quality and lack of features. I studied reviews about Sony, Canon, and Panasonic. Canons reviews were very high, so I got the chance to play with the 21 but was not impressed with the build. Picture was very good but lacked color saturation. Still overall a good camera! Sonys 520 series was nice but expensive for what it offered. I was not able to see the Panasonic and the reviews said it was great camera with less clarity than the canon, but with some prosumer features. 3mos sensor, 10.6mp, and lots of manual adjustments. I bought my daughter a Panasonic SD 3ccd camera several years earlier after taking a sony back for poor video. That camera was impressive and compaired favorably with a Sony 2100 I also had.
I bought the Panasonic... The first check was using it in a livingroom situation, Three lamps on. The picture was bright with a little less grain then the Sony FX1. Overall a very decent picture. The FX1 could operate in even lower light (gain up) but not with decent HD, saturation, and the grain cause its picture to be unuseable. The Panasonic picture was very useable, and saturated but dropped off fast when the room was lit with one lamp.
The next day I went out on a dark wet day with both cameras. In this situation the Panasonic was impressive. Both cameras set for 0 gain. The Panasonic was sharper, more saturated and focused faster then the FX1. This I did not expect.
Now where the FX1 is at its best is "sun over your shoulder" shots and well lit stage shows, Its quality rivals Discovery Channel HD and its mix of auto/manual features are great. The Panasonics auto/manual abilities are not as flexible, but I am not afraid to have the two cameras videos on the same Bluray. The Panasonic is an fabulous camera.....