311 of 332 people found this review helpful. 
First Impressions By Dino Papoutsis Amazon came to August 17 came to my house on August 19. Today is August 21, 2010.
Panasonic U.S. website still have this new camera the "backorder" for Amazon seems to be perhaps the first to have this! I placed an order for pre-and have been waiting for this week. . .
What's in the box: * Camera * USB "extension cord" about 40 inches long * "AV" Cable 4 feet long (yellow composite video connector mono sound - white connector) * Attachable wrist strap * Manual, misc. additions, the warranty / return survey
Things I wanted to know and could not find on the web: * (Real) Compatibility with the iPad - no direct support (the much hyped Apple iFrame capacity means nothing I can say for ease of shooting and video directly placed on the iPad). Of course, to move any video on the iPad is a great challenge. I own Apple Camera Connection Kit CCK and hoped that this allows me to connect the camera's USB connector on this adapter CCK or the SD card itself and import the video on the Apple App photo. I still photos easier to get on the iPad and it seems that maybe the video - but the video does not play (for the good that is). I believe this is due to 1920x1080p HD I was using the 12 Mbps (VBR) on Apple's specifications more than allowed. (And do not work with content shot me 960x540/30fps iFrame (about 24 Mbps) (VBR) Maybe if you used the 640x480/30fps (about 3 Mbps) (VBR) would have worked -. But who wants to save his low defining moments? (I think the maximum bit rate IPAD is limited to 5 Mbps in the published specification). But no discouragement, here's the solution: you can watch your videos on the iPhone (in the highest quality setting) putting them through iTunes, GoodReader directly in the application (you can buy on iTunes). It is quite hidden capacity GoodReader (probably not to disturb too much of Apple) - but GoodReader lets you play videos and in the higher resolutions and speeds bits of Apple's specifications... but shhhhh, do not tell anyone, I do not think they are supposed to know. I also had the opportunity to import video into iMovie and FCP 7.
[Addition August 28, 2010: Been using the above technique GoodReader my vacation. It works, but not perfect. There is an occasional stutter. If demand perfect, flawless video on the iPad, you will have to scramble the contents of an iPhone-compatible 1080p resolution / bitrate, then put it in the video area of the iPad.]
* How long can shoot their reality - apparently references to 29min 59 sec (surprisingly low) are "single clip" time. Once you click Stop, which seems to be able to keep shooting (maybe a total of 45 minutes as described in the manual)
[Addition August 28, 2010: The battery must be charged in the camera connected to a PC. Bought a car USB charger for my road trip and does not work. They have also bought a USB charger iGo laptop did not work. Confirmed with Panasonic Support must charge the battery connected to a computer. If you decide to experiment with other in-camera charging and the techniques of the battery starts to display unusual amounts of energy in the meter on the screen, you have to pull the battery from the camera and wait one minute to reset sorta - before trying again.] Sum [October 21, 2010: See below for important new information on a $ 13.38 knock-off of the battery available through Amazon. . .]
* AV Output (I think it is called mini-USB connector) is composed only - wireless high definition or instructions on the use of high definition.
* No external microphone jack
* No external headphone jack
* Lens not have screw threads to set other objectives (see Flip Ultra HD wide angle lens / macro network hacks)
Sum [October 21, 2010: Purchased magnetic wide angle lens conversion of the New World Amazon seller live video = Panasonic TA-1 (HM-TA1) 0.45x Wide Angle Lens (HD) Black Finish W / Macro (Style) Modification of magnetic type. $ 59.00 worked great. See my review on the product page on Amazon. Includes magnetic rings with peel and stick adhesive of some sort. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041IWMPI/ref=oss_product
* Manual makes no reference to any other option other than a spare battery and SD-type memory card (which still stands today at the Panasonic website).
* UW Housing - I'm still dying to know if Panasonic will offer affordable housing for low underwater diving (100 feet) - and to date there is no indication that this may be an offer in the future.
Sum [October 21, 2010: Discovered a cool underwater in Ikelite housing for $ 246.95 on Amazon. They have bought at this time. In the manufacturer's site shows you some cool looking tiny video lights to go with him.] Ikelite Video Housing Compact underwater camcorder Panasonic HM-TA1
Pros: * The video quality is impressive - what I expect from Panasonic (I have a Panasonic AG-HMC150 - AVCHD camera independent filmmakers love) and I'm sorta a newbie aspiring freelance video producer (sometimes looks almost comparable in quality to the images of this camera for $ 4K-ish). Although this camera mostly has little chance of automatic adjustment, if optimize lighting and other conditions is very good. Certainly acceptable to aim and shoot some video material. I have the hope that can be used for camera shots of risk in future productions, where the camera may be damaged - then use clips from "high" productions.
* However pics - looks good. They have not yet done extensive photo studio / comparison, but some quick is confirmed seem very appropriate.
* Sound quality - than good. Again, note the sound is mono.
* Simplicity - more buttons than a flip, but are logical / direct.
Pros: * Design / build quality - disappointing for a Panasonic video camera. It has two doors of access for users: the battery / SD card and USB connector removal. Both are very "fragile". They have what looks like a thin rubber "string-as-thing" with the door. Now, as I told my friend in the past on many devices these are broken in a few days. However, I have noticed in most of modern electronics, these are most often used - but now seem to be made of high-tech materials it seems they do not break. Time will tell. This is my greatest concern about the longevity of this device.
* Battery CARO - This camera (of course) seems to have its own battery and very expensive - almost half the price of the camera ($ 74.95 list on the website of Panasonic VW-VBJ10) - this is simply speculation prices. Shame on you Panasonic. And the manual scares the hell out of you, if you are even thinking about a battery backup / equivalent (threats of possible explosions, etc..) I searched and searched for the closest equivalent, but when they looked like a specification 98% match, but I am an electrical engineer and I fear that if I can use this battery for $ 14 I will damage the camera.
[Addition August 28, 2010: According to Panasonic Support that you can buy other batteries have to be equivalent but V/940mAh 3.6. The charging time when connected to a PC is 4 h 10 min "45 minutes of actual recording time." If you plan to use on holiday where you shoot more than 45 minutes of video per day, you may need a second battery. . .]
Adding [October 21, 2010: Purchased at Amazon for $ 13.38 battery "Panasonic Digital Camera Battery" = "Drum King" and it worked great. 3.60V, 1000mAh, Li-ion.] Http: / / www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N6O02W/ref=oss_product
[Addition of October 21, 2010: Purchased on Amazon battery charger for $ 28.00 over the "synergy", ships and sold by super deal Yan Leung Kwong = and it worked very well.] http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001YHGPE8/ref=oss_product
* "Exposed" lens - the lens does not have any luxury visors to protect it, like many modern digital cameras (wish it did). There may be some kind of protective glass over it - but this old fashion, perfectionist is nervous about this. I'd feel better if they have had at least one lens protector.
* No hood capacity (?)-- I would put some sort of lens hood to protect the lens of the reflections / glare, but again, there seems no provision to attach a. And yes, I know this is a "low cost" of the camera.
* Software - It is preloaded in the House and it is not impressive in facilitating the use of video on mobile devices, etc. (transcoding / conversion, etc.)
Discussion: The build quality of the Flip Ultra HD - far exceeds the quality of this device. The sliding USB connector ejector should win the award for "Best plasticky garbage back out of Japan since 1960." I feel ashamed of Panasonic. This is definitely the Panasonics equivalent to Toyota's 2010 debacle. Sliding this "slider" to display the USB connector, which inspires me to pray each time I use it - I dread the slider will break in the stem almost microscopic / assembly.
The anti-vibration feature was another concern - since few of these camcorders style that seemingly has not been implemented as well. This seems to work fine, but I have to record more video with him. I also just bought a camera stabilizer of the camera - and I want to rock steady shots and crane want to get some Hollywood / motion style action. . . check this out. . . I had to buy in the UK and ended up costing more than the camera, but WOW this is sooo funny "Mini Motion-Cam" [...] (You also need a special adapter for the piece of ultra-light cameras ...) I would hope that future reviewers complain about the instability of a small camera video like this - ATTENTION, all video cameras with tripod want to shoot rock-steady video. No small handheld video camera that I know of several rock-steady shots, because our arms / hands move! So calibrate your expectations accordingly. (If you surf the web, you can find a video filmed with a Flip Ultra HD camera using a tripod -... What was the value of production / production quality of a Hollywood / Indie FLIP that believe produces 720p video - this makes 1080p and the picture is even better.)
My ideal camera for this category include two user-selectable resolutions / qualities. High so you can see a big screen TV and bottom of the screen today super small / mobile devices. Both would be a shot in parallel, so the user does not have to convert / encode for instant gratification on a mobile device. After all, this camera is not a mobile device? It sorta understand that these points quickly, shooting and surveillance cameras are all about this. "Fast seeing."
Conclusion: Recommend this camera to friends and family without reservation. It does provide a very high value and fun. He gave this 4 stars out of 5 doors, due to feeling weak / design / construction and the quality of the extremely expensive proprietary battery.
Sum [October 21, 2010: I'm loving this camera more and more. None of the doors in search cheesy has given me any problems. The sound is pretty good. I took it to work and recorded a conference call with him, and later transcribed the audio track. It was great - it worked like a mini digital audio recorder. Also used in this mode to record a narration for another film I've done. Very good sound quality - not as good as the use of microphones Pro on a PC, but good enough for home movies. I also learned a lot about how to work with MP4 files in FCP 7 Apple Final Cut Pro for editing. MP4 files are transcoded from "capturing codec" MP4 for Apple ProRes 422 (LT) "codec issue." Then, once you've finished editing, you need to encode again, back to a "codec output" (for example, something that can be burned to a DVD or Blu-Ray, etc. I created a "drop" Apple Compressor and now only raw MP4 files placed on it and convert it to ProRes 422 (LT). Using the correct file format will save you from stuttering and hair-pulling. And please, use all the video camera on a tripod, hold hands, even with image stabilization still has most of the sickness.]
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Love is ... what is an ideal camcorder for the money! By J. Walsh I fenced and hawed for a long time to get an HD camcorder. Previously, he had a gun with MiniDV tape and has a JVC standard definition HDD (hard drive) camcorder. The JVC had a bad image quality was like throwing money away. I took it on vacation and ended up scrapping all the footage as unusable. Sony had tried many other HD camcorders in stores in recent years and I was disappointed with the unstable nature of the image and how the shot would be blurred if anything leaked to the slower speed. Panasonic camcorder with this purchase, I researched for weeks before a recent vacation and was just about to give up and go with my Canon MiniDV camcorder again. Finally I saw the comments on this camcorder and it really struck me most was the talk of the capture and stabilization. These two features are honestly what has mattered most (along with the image in good condition). Therefore, the last second I bought this camera and sent to my destination and had no time left for coming to my house before leaving. It was immediately intuitive without looking at the manual. It is a striking passage from my last video. I love the way you only have to turn on and off when you close the display. I can record football games with my son and only recorded the first game of its summer season tonight 8 man league and be able to close the LCD panel and be able to hit record in about one second after the opening was incredible. A set of two and a half hours just to gain a foothold in the use of the battery by using this technique. With my video camera before, I had pretty much between games and are always running out of juice was sweating. The zoom of this unit is nothing less than incredibly good, but a good zoom without stabilization would be useless. Fortunately, the stabilization is incredible in this camcorder. With my video camera before I had to use a tripod which aims to take action or had to work hard trying to keep still and tap my arm against my body and I've never had great results when zooming at the same time hand (this with only a 12x zoom). This camcorder enters the 40x zoom easily with a large image and the effort to keep only the base yet. No zoom, you can darn near make a template and still. I love it. I have a 32 GB SD card and it looks like I will have 5 hours of video in the default mode of this camcorder (AVCHD HD at 60 frames per second). That is perfect because I always clear out of my computer sooner or later anyway. I have a 73 inches TV 1080p ... and this material really looks great on her ... massive upgrade of the things I have blurred my other cameras (most of the blurr from view on a big screen). I'm very glad I bought this. On my vacation I also went through the video images and use the images for the shots ... impressive. Being able to move around frame by frame to find the best opportunity and still get impressive image quality is great. Several times of vacation you had a group of smart and they face as if taking only one camera shot, but I did video. Then, after the holidays, I could not find the exact moment that made the group look better. There is only a split second perfect shot and not know ... with this ... just record videos and take pictures later. Do not print 8x10 large images of style anyway, but Facebook and standard-size photos of these photos look fantastic to me, as good as my regular 12 MP camera. I prefer to shoot video and extract of trying to take photos on the fly while shooting video. I have not found a feature that I like about this unit. The software worked perfectly for me and reviewing shots on the camcorder is extremely easy. I have not had any problems with the battery that comes with. There have been fired a long continuous event, however, but easily lasted me all day while on vacation and, again, was a breeze to play a shooting game. The built in LED light is a bit neat and comfortable in a dark place ... and I love that it has built in lens cover. Do not miss the fact that this does not have a viewfinder. The screen is large and is the most comfortable. While I have been receiving enough battery life to do what you want, using the LCD screen is what I prefer. I also think the picture on this camera takes a softer image than most others I've tried. Do you still want bread, not too fast. In general, however ... zooming and panning less active the better anyway. Zoom then shoot ... then zoom out, when you can. With background, the better chance usually slower bread anyway, but it seems to work well when shooting me and follow a relatively fast moving target like a soccer ball in the air. However, this camcorder is the best $ 500 I've spent a long, long time. 
