Customer Reviews for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
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Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Model: SDR-H18
SKU: 8240968
UPC: 037988980369
Selectable scene modes and white balance settings featured on this compact camcorder help you capture your memories in stunning true-to-life detail. A built-in hard drive means there is no need to worry about carrying extra tapes or discs.
Average Customer Rating:
3.9
out of 5
(11 Reviews) 11
Rating Snapshot 11 reviews
5 stars
2
4 stars
7
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
91% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
10 out of
11)
Customer Reviews for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Review 1 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
great camera
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: kh234
from Idaho
on 12/13/2007
We've had this camera for five months. We almost use it more than our regular camera. The stills that this camera takes can't replace a good camera, but still takes quality photos. I have not had a problem with computer connectivity. I have Windows XP. I've used Windows movie maker to make our own personalized videos. SO much fun. I don't like movie maker because it's sometimes hard to use and freezes up, but the finished product is awesome. The best thing about the camera is the memory. No mini DVs to mess with. It loads easily with the USB cord to the computer. We only have one battery and never have problems running out of battery life. It's so compact and tiny. It records well in dark light and other lighting situations. The built in light helps too. just don't get too close to the object you want to film...it doesn't zoom out very far. Zooming in works great.
What's great about it: works well with my computer programs, easy to use, lots of memory, lots of battery life
What's not so great: Can't zoom out very far.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 2 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Great product
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Aris
from Portland, OR
on 12/11/2007
I bought this camcorder before BF at a very good package price. This is my second camcorder. The first one was Toshiba which provided very low picture quality. I was ready for another low quality camcorder for beginners at the same low price, but it surprised me. The picture it took was very good. My husband now has a strong interest to play on it. Currently the only drawback is I found you can not pause during recording but to fully stop. Maybe just I did not handle the right function. I will dig it more.
What's great about it: great price and quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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Review 3 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Low light?
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Arnold
on 11/25/2007
...and by low light I mean indoors at night with every light turned on. I didn't myself see anything "low light" since I had every light in the house turned on, but this cam produced very fuzzy/grained video in this conditions.
What's great about it: Easy to use, easy to edit vieo
What's not so great: bad low light perfomer
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
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Review 4 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
A great picture. Very little jitter.
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Whatever
from Chandler,AZ
on 11/19/2007
Read all the reviews for cameras in this price range and finally decided on this one. After about 2 months of use, I am still happy with this camera. Some people complained that it doesn't shoot well in lower-light conditions, but if you set it to manual and adjust the IRIS and other settings, you can get pretty decent shots (TIP- READ the MANUAL!). I was a little disappointed it didn't have a microphone jack, but I can deal with it.
As far as the software it comes with- forget it. It's useless and frustrating to use (that cost it a 5 star rating). Spend some extra money on a decent video editor(CyberLink, ULead, Adobe if you got the ca$h) and you'll be much happier.
And do a google search for "SDR-H18" and "SDCopy.exe" because this little freeware program is great for getting the files from the camera to your hard drive. It sets the proper flags in the video file so your video editing programs can identify the files easier (as a MOV file. not the MOD file that's created in the camera).
As far as the software it comes with- forget it. It's useless and frustrating to use (that cost it a 5 star rating). Spend some extra money on a decent video editor(CyberLink, ULead, Adobe if you got the ca$h) and you'll be much happier.
And do a google search for "SDR-H18" and "SDCopy.exe" because this little freeware program is great for getting the files from the camera to your hard drive. It sets the proper flags in the video file so your video editing programs can identify the files easier (as a MOV file. not the MOD file that's created in the camera).
What's great about it: Picture quality, anti-jitter is excellent, easy to get video files over to a computer to edit.
What's not so great: No Microphone jack. And the software it comes with is USELESS.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
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Review 5 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Great Features and Value
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Therck
from Chicago, IL
on 10/19/2007
Bought this unit after considerable research into mid-priced camcorders. It is well rated by CR and CNET compared to others, even Sony.
Had much back-and-forth self-doubt regarding whether to go with a DVD disc or hard drive configuration. Mini-DVD is fading fast for a number of reasons. Decided on hard drive. More compact. Has plenty of capacity before having to download. Eliminates the need to purchase/carry many blank DVD discs, which can be rendered unusable. Allows very convenient access to scenes for immediate review, rearrangement or deletion.
The unit is very simple to use, right from the beginning. The design is compact and ergonomically well thought-out. As noted here and elsewhere, the zoom control switch could have been better situated for more convenient access, but this is not a major drawback.
All in all, a very good product, especially at recent sale prices (around $425.00).
What's great about it: Compact and lightweight. Ergonomically convenient controls (except for one). Excellent video quality and stability.
What's not so great: Zoom control switch is a bit less convenient to reach and activate.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
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Review 6 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Great Product!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: krsiten
on 10/11/2007
I love this camera. It is so easy for anyone to use. It is great for shooting any kind of video. This is a very good product I would recommend this to anyone. I love it.
What's great about it: Easy to handle. The Camcorder is great for any kind of video that needs to be shot. This is an easy to use camera.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 7 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
great purchase- camcorder
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: icuthruu
from Vancouver WA
on 10/07/2007
This is a lightweight, great little camcorder. The 30 GB hard drive is more than enough for your average user. The software that comes with it makes making DVDs a snap and even allows you to edit/splice clips prior to making the DVD. Quality of images is excellent.
The AC box doubles as the battery charger when plugged in.
The AC box doubles as the battery charger when plugged in.
On the down side, the zoom toggle is slightly awkward position but is fine once you get used to it. The microphone could also stand to be a bit more sensitve and the battery life is just over an hour with the standard battery it comes with. Can use it plugged in though.
What's great about it: the 30 GB hard drive really holds many hours. Software is easy to use to make DVDs/edit. Can burn DVD directly
What's not so great: Zoom toggle is in a slightly awkward position
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 8 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Great Camcorder
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: DrOckW
from Colorado
on 09/21/2007
We bought this camcorder to document our wedding and honeymoon. The quality of the video is very good as long as you have enough light. Most shots are fine but lighting is everything with Any camcorder. The ease of having an HD camcorder cannot be overstated. There is a lot of time saved and space by having a unit with it's own storage built in. The SD card recording and pictures work flawlessly. The MOD files can simply be renamed in windows as a last resort or quick fix on the road.
-Battery life is excellent we had more than enough power on one charge to tape our whole honeymoon.
-Big Bonus, This camera has the best anti jitter that I've ever seen, it stabilizes so well that your home movies come out with a more professional and less nausiating feel.
-Only con.. No Remote, no way no chance. This is the reason for only 4 stars, and the improvement available in the next step up.
-Next step up: definately consider the 3CCD model for just a little more, you'll get even better colors and more of a professional feel to your videos!
-Battery life is excellent we had more than enough power on one charge to tape our whole honeymoon.
-Big Bonus, This camera has the best anti jitter that I've ever seen, it stabilizes so well that your home movies come out with a more professional and less nausiating feel.
-Only con.. No Remote, no way no chance. This is the reason for only 4 stars, and the improvement available in the next step up.
-Next step up: definately consider the 3CCD model for just a little more, you'll get even better colors and more of a professional feel to your videos!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
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Review 9 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Great product
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: smkelly1
from Belle chasse, LA
on 09/16/2007
Read all th reviews and what can I say, they were right. Used my 12% off coupon and got it for right at $400. Best money I have ever spent. I have a three month old son and this thing is very handy and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 10 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Good beginner model
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: Ryanz
from sanj jose,CA
on 09/16/2007
This model takes great video....excellent for beginners.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 11 for Panasonic Digital Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive and Digital Still Mode
Surprisingly good value
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: GadgetJoe
on 08/16/2007
Great starter camera.
Performs very well for the price. Except for low-light situations, the image quailty is high, and the user interface is idiot proof.
The video is stored on the HD in a .mod format which is easily converted to MPEG (though I had to get some free 3rd-party software to do that). Otherwise, Panasonic made it easy to burn to DVD.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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