Panasonic HDC-TM80 review (Black)

While the microphone has a nice, warm quality compared with some competing tinny-sounding models, it's a lot more front-directional than most, even without turning on the zoom mic. Normally, my running commentary stands out loud and clear; with this camcorder, it was so muffled at times I couldn't even make out what I was saying. But it still picked up plenty of ambient noise.

As with a lot of these models, the LCD is difficult to view in direct sunlight. You can jack up the LCD's power and brightness separately, but increasing the brightness just washes it out and decreases the contrast, while increasing the power burdens the battery. At least at its defaults, however, the battery seems to last a decently long time.

	Canon Vixia HF M300/M30/ M31/M32	HDC-SD80/TM80	HDC-HS80	Sony Handycam HDR-CX130/CX160	Sony Handycam HDR-XR160
Sensor (effective resolution)	2.99-megapixel CMOS	1.3-megapixel CMOS	1.3-megapixel CMOS	1.49 megapixels	1.49 megapixels
	1/4 inch	1/5.8 inch	1/4.1 inch	1/4-inch	1/4-inch
Lens	15x f1.8-3.2 39.5-592.5mm	34x f1.8-4 33.7 - 1240mm (16:9)	12x f1.5-2.8 35 - 420mm (16:9)	30x f1.8-3.4 29.8-894mm (31.2-531mm 17x with Active Steady Shot)	30x f1.8-3.4 29.8-894mm (31.2-531mm 17x with Active Steady Shot)
Closest focus (inches)	0.4	1.2	1.2	0.4	0.4
Min illumination (lux)	recommended: 100 standard: 5.5 low light: 0.4	standard: 1400 low light: 7 Color Night View: 1	standard: 1400 low light: 7 Color Night View: 1	recommended: n/a standard: 11 low light: 3	recommended: n/a standard: 11 low light: 3
EVF	None	No	No	None	None
LCD	2.7-inch 211,000 dots	2.7-inch 230,400-dot	2.7-inch 230,400-dot	3-inch 230,000 pixels	3-inch 230,000 pixels
Primary media	0GB/8GB/ 32GB/64GB internal; 1 x SDHC (SDXC on M32)	0GB/16GB flash; SDXC	120GB hard disk; SDXC	0GB/16GB internal; 1 x SDXC	160GB hard drive; 1 x SDXC
HD recording	AVCHD: 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps; 1440 x 1080/60i @ 12, 7, 5Mbps (also encodes 30p and 24p as 60i)	AVCHD: 1080/60i @ 17, 13, 9 ,5Mbps	AVCHD: 1080/60i @ 17, 13, 9 ,5Mbps	AVCHD: 1080/60p @ 28Mbps (nonstandard); 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps; 1440 x 1080/60i @ 9, 5Mbps	AVCHD: 1080/60p @ 28Mbps (nonstandard); 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps; 1440 x 1080/60i @ 9, 5Mbps
Manual shutter speed	1/6 - 1/2,000 sec	Yes	Yes	No	No
Manual iris	f1.8-f8	Yes	Yes	No	No
Accessory shoe	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Audio	2 channels (5.1 via optional mic); mic, headphone jacks	2 channels	2 channels	2 channels	5.1 channels
Body dimensions (WHD, inches)	2.7x2.4x4.8	2.0x2.3x4.3	2.6x2.8x5.8	2.1x2.3x4.9	2.4x2.6x5.1
Operating weight (pounds)	13.1	8.3	10.8 (est)	10.5	14.1 (est)
Mfr. Price	$549.99/ $599.99/ $699.99/ $999.99	$449.99/$499.99	$599.99	$449.99/$499.99	$599.99
Ship date	March 2010	March 2011	March 2011	March 2011	April 2011

There's not much notable about the design; it's pretty typical for a compact camcorder. There's a three-way video/still/playback switch on the back and there are auto/manual, OIS, and power switches in the LCD recess. The lens cover has a physical switch, but can open automatically when you power on, which is a nice touch. Like most compacts, if you've got large hands you may find it a touch small. That's the primary reason to consider the HS80, because the hard drive gives you a little extra bump to grab onto.

However, if you're looking for manual features--specifically control over shutter speed and aperture--Panasonic delivers them at low price points. And the implementation works very well, despite a display that's usually too small for comfortable touch-screen use.

The camcorder also has useful features that are uncommon in lower-end models, like peaking (an edge-detection display) in manual focus, which actually makes it possible to use the manual focus on the low-resolution display.

Conclusion
I'm slightly annoyed about the naming convention here: you'd think an xx80 designation in the model name and a similar price would imply that it's a step-up or replacement model for the xx60 series, which I really liked. But thanks to the sensor, it's actually a step backward; the true replacement models are the xx90 series.

There really are better choices than this series. For many people it might be worth spending a little extra to get better video quality with the manual features; if you don't care about the manual features, you might as well go a little cheaper and get the same so-so video.