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- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 31 reviews
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"Cheap, light weight, easy to use video camera for non-tech-savvy users"
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- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 31 reviews
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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest
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alaTest.com
Editors' rating: 87
Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 275 reviews of Panasonic SDR-H40 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 67/100 and users 77/100. Comparing these reviews to 103109 other Camcorders reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 87/100 = Very Good.
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news.com.au
Editors' rating: 80
Summary: With its 30GB hard drive, SD card slot and 42x optical zoom, the SDR-H40 is a versatile little performer. If you're on the lookout for an affordable standard-def camera for casual use, it is definitely one of the better buys on the market.
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goodgearguide.com.au
Editors' rating: 75
Summary: With its 30GB hard drive, SD card slot and 42x optical zoom, the SDR-H40 is a versatile little performer. If you're on the lookout for an affordable standard-def camera for casual use, it is definitely one of the better buys on the market.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Digital Camcorders. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of digital camcorder.
Hard disk format
With digital camcorders that use built-in hard drives, you can record high-quality MPEG-2 footage and deliver more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution, depending on camcorder quality. Some video cameras will also record in AVCHD or H.264 formats, giving you more flexibility for recording. Consumer grade digital camcorders of this type have USB ports for easy video downloading onto computers.
Best for: Trendsetter; home and vacation moviemaker; business videographer.
| Relatively compact digital camcorder designs |
| Easy searching and random access to video segments |
| Selectable image-quality levels, usually including high-quality variable-bit-rate recording |
| Both video and still images can be recorded on one card (instead of on a cassette and a memory card) |
| Need for separate hard drive or DVD burning for archiving |
| Unpredictable recording times with variable bit rate |
| Less support by advanced video-editing and video-effects software than for DV format |
Supporting manufacturers: Canon; JVC; Panasonic; Sony.
Read more in the Digital Camcorder Buying Guide
See more Hard drive products
LCD and electronic viewfinder info
More pixels usually mean better viewfinder and LCD image quality. Look for a sharp LCD that's easy to see in bright light; adjustable screen brightness helps, too. The larger the LCD, the easier it will be to see (and the more power-hungry it will be); for all but ultracompact camcorders, look for at least 2.5 inches. An EVF that you can tilt with a diopter lever for adjusting focus will give you more shooting flexibility. Almost all EVFs and LCDs on consumer camcorders display color, although some video enthusiasts prefer black-and-white EVFs, which can make it easier to judge exposure. Touch-screen LCDs have begun to appear on a few consumer video cameras, usually for menu navigation and spot focusing. Some users find them convenient, while others prefer not to have to use the LCD to access camcorder controls.
See more LCD products
CNET product brief
Description: The Panasonic SDR-H40 is a hard disk drive-based, ultra-compact camcorder.Compared to other ultra-compact camcorders on the market, it is midpriced at around $330.
Pros: Has a 42x optical zoom.Also, this camcorder has optical stabilization, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced camcorders.(While many camcorders have electronic image stabilization, optical stabilization generally produces superior results.)Provides manual focus control, whereas many camcorders have only auto-focus.This product weighs just 12 ounces without battery and media, which is quite light.
Cons: None noted, given available product data.
Suitability: An ultra-compact camcorder, suited for on-the-fly shooting.
Value: In general, this camcorder has good features for the money.
Suggestions: For more help selecting the right digital camcorder, visit CNET Reviews' buying guide.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
