Panasonic VDR-D300 3.1MP 3CCD DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RH769ADHN9DGW Here's a sample of what this little camera can do. Believe or not, I shot my daughter's recital from about 30 yards (using the zoom feature, of course) & in a dark auditorium. Notice how the lens picks up all available light & the sound is clear. I had the camera sitting on my knee & the video (even with the zoom maxed out) is very smooth. I LOVE this camera...imagine how bright & clear the picture is in the broad daylight! It really is a clear picture.
I like the option of burning immediately 2 a DVD. Sometimes if I'm at my family's house I will shoot some footage & now I'm able 2 burn it & leave it with them.
I've had no trouble getting the video files from the camera 2 my computer...because I'm using the USB cord that came with it. I'd rather use my own video editing software, as I didn't like what came with the camera. I use AVS Video Editor, which does a superb job. I can create videos in just about any format. As with any new piece of technology, it takes some getting used to. I've used the camera with both Windows XP & Vista & I've had no compatibility issues. Enjoy!

The camcorder came from the manufacturer, broken....and the company I purchased it from, was not customer friendly....as of today, I am still waiting 4 it 2 be fixed.

If one takes a fairly good video that needs no editing, a TV presentation is very simple but limited 2 about 18 minutes, which is the capacity of one side of the mini DVD-RAM disc (which I prefer 2 use!).

Computer download, editing & ultimate burning 2 a normal-sized DVD is done with the bundled, two-part Pacman-style software whose manual is large but not very explicit or user friendly.

I recommend that one use only re-writable DVDs 4 the in-camera media as 4 burning presentation discs unless one is in need of shiny coasters...

I teamed up with another user & we help each other with computer-related problems. The quality of the camcorder's video output itself is excellent.

This is a five-star device with three-star software.

purchase this 4 christmas gift 12/6/06. not used unitl 12/26/06. camcorder eject door stopped working 04/06/07. emailed Panasonic 4 warranty repair- no reponse 3 wks-called 800# in manual & was told 2 ship 2 Bigston Corp 4 repairs-BIG MISTAKE-DO NOT SHIP ANYTHING TO THEM-
Bigston rec'd camera 5/10/07. 5/14/07 Bigston called & said repair not under warranty- would cost 207.50 2 repair expect repair 2 wks., i okd that & they charged my cc 5/16., 6/4 called Bigston, no idea regarding repair, now they say add'l 85.00 4 rear assby, i okd-then they charged my card 119.23, said 3-4 days 4 repair. June 18 i call Bigston no idea why my camera still is not repaired, could not get manager 2 call me back
6/19 they called said they had 2 order part!!!then they shipped camera back with an invoice that says i am due refund of $12.50. when i called them they said the invoice was wrong/mgr changed it after shipment!!!!!
i paid $ 326.73 4 repairs on a camcorder that cost 500.00 4 months ago!

When it works, it's great. However each time I go on a research trip 2 Europe or N America (ie. costing me a lot of cash) an intermittent fault occurs where the image (in still mode or video)drops out the red range, so the recorded image has a blue cast. I am an art historian, so bringing back faulty data is not good 4 my research. And dealing with Panasonic Australia is a nightmare. Neither the shop, or the repairer, or the company will take final responsibility. I have sent it away twice, & today send it back 4 another test. Even when you provide them with the hard evidence of the fault, the camera comes back just as it was. Next stop the small claims tribunal...

e.cam are a range of digital video cameras from Panasonic, which do more than just take great pictures. With a host of digital capabilities, these cameras give you entirely new ways 2 enjoy the images that you capture & expand your possibilities 4 more creative visual communications.PRODUCT FEATURES:Superior color, detail & gradation: 3CCD Camera System;Suppresses hand-shake in both motion & still pictures: O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer);Superior Leica-certified image quality: Leica DICOMAR LensSpecial high-performance imaging engine Crystal Engine;Capture even complex motion with precision: high quality MPEG 2 Engine;Take breathtaking still pictures: 3.1-Megapixel Still Pictures Recording;Pull distant subjects right up close with 10x optical zoom;Shoot wide, view wide: High-Picture-Quality Wide Mode (16:9) & 2.7" LCD;Choose the media you want with multi-format ease: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW; DVD-R;Select the recording mode 2 match your needs: XP, SP, LP Mode;Easy operation with One-Touch Navigation & Joystick Control;Find out what each icon means: Help Mode;Index screen 4 simple searching: Quick Search & Access with Disc Navigator;Easy ON/OFF.