Panasonic SDR-S150 3.1MP 3CCD MPEG2 Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (2GB Card Included)

I don't like 2 take video 4 many reasons. You end up with a lot of bad scenes in the middle of the tape, if you review the tape you have 2 forward 2 the point where you can begin taping again & it takes far 2 long 2 transfer the video 2 the PC if you want 2 burn it 2 DVD. This camcorder solves all those problems. Because of random access of the SD flash media, scenes where you accidently filmed your leg 4 10 minutes & didn't notice it till later can be deleted on the fly. It automatically begins 2 record at the end of the series of scenes so there's no fast-forwarding 2 find the spot where you can record again. And copying the video 2 your PC is as easy as pulling out the SD card & plugging it into your computer. You can begin burning a DVD immediately. Now I don't hesitate 2 video. With 3 CCDs, quality is much better than the previous few single-CCD miniDV camcorders I've owned from JVC, Sony, & Samsung, particularily the white balance & color correctness. On a big screen TV the difference is very noticable. It is dead silent when you video something. With a 4 GB card (which only cost me $29) I get about an hour of video at the highest quality setting. This means an hour worth of high-quality taping will copy 2 a single current generation DVD. The video camera is very small but feels very high quality & substantial. I ordered this from J & R & they did a great job getting it 2 me as promised & I paid a very reasonable price.

I've owned this camcorder 4 a couple of months now. I really like it. I paid just under $400 4 it. For the price, I can't imagine a better standard definition flash camcorder.

Pro's
-Tons of manual controls. They're fun 2 play with. I'm just learning videography, & this was exactly what I wanted.
-The "easy" mode works well. So if you don't want 2 fuss with the controls, you'll still like this camera. I find most of the menus easy 2 navigate.
-Really nice image quality when viewed on my 22-inch monitor. I was surprised when I viewed my first footage -- the color was pretty much perfect (vivid but natural, not hypersaturated), no noise under decent lighting, auto focus worked perfectly. The motion was very natural looking.
-Works with my 16gb SDHC card. So I can store about 15 hours worth of video at one time.
-The still-photo mode is also fun & includes tons of manual controls. You shouldn't buy this just 4 the still camera, but it's a nice extra.

Con's
-Some of the controls are less intuitive. In particular, the four-way macro/ backlighting control is sort of confusing (to me, not necessarily 2 you).
-Neither photos nor videos look all that great in low light. Even the special low-light video capture is not terribly effective (though still fun 2 play with). But I did not deduct any points here because I believe that you don't get good low-light images at this price point -- no exceptions. If you want really good low-light images from a flash-based camcorder, then you have 2 move up 2 a higher price range.
-The design is slightly awkward. There's really no way 2 maintain a comfortable, relaxed grip on the body. (Contrast w/ the body of the Samsung SC-MX10 & HMX-10, which allows the camcorder 2 rest more naturally in your grip). But I'm really nitpicking here because the grip's really not a problem in real-world use (just not ideal).
-Neither the camcorder nor the editing software are Vista-compatible out of the box. You can get them 2 work with Vista, but it is a bit of a pain. It involves separately downloading a series of drivers & firmware upgrades. The whole process took about 2 hours.
-Panasonic's US website is 99% worthless if you're looking 4 support 4 the s150. I had 2 Google around until I found the upgrades on the Panasonic global website.
-The editing software is of marginal quality.

Conclusion
-I'm very happy with the camcorder itself. All the problems I mentioned are really minor & don't even come close 2 outweighing the camcorder's many virtues. The biggest problem I had was getting it 2 work with Vista. But I think it was worth the minor hassle.

I needed a camera that fits in my handbag 2 carry around everywhere I go. This was my primary priority, second was image quality & the third was 2 be able 2 record on a memory based media. And this camera is the best you can get considering all these factors. It is not the smallest camcorder in the world but small enough 2 fit your coats pocket, very easy 2 use, just pop the lcd screen & lens cover slide open & you are ready 2 shoot. There is an auto everything & manual switch where you can override all or some auto functions. I rarely use manual overrides, because not only auto shooting does a decent job but also manual functions are very deep in the menu system that makes it hard 2 control, & this is one of my few complaints about SDR-150. I wish there was a few quick access manual adjustment buttons.
Image quality is surprisingly good, 3CCDs are really make a huge difference, accurate vivid color rendition, no visible compression artifacts etc. very very good. Another cool function is the Image stabilization system "OIS" works really good. It is hard not 2 shake this camera in your hand, it is not shoulder mounted, & your grip is even weaker then the old big DV camcorders. There is a finger grip that comes with the package that you can screw on the tripod mount, this way you can also use your ring finger instead of only index & middle finger 4 additional grip.
For the recording & editing SD cards, or any memory based recording system is the future of camcorders, long gone the days of magnetic media tapes, dv, dvd, hard drive all kind of rotating mechanisms, motors, gears, pulleys, belts etc. which makes the camcorder heavy, big, unreliable, vulnerable 2 dust, water, shake, vibration, heat & cold. These systems also need bigger batteries because they need lots of energy 2 drive the mechanisms. Another drawback of some older systems that you have 2 transfer your files 2 your editing application in real time. 1 hour video will transfer exactly in 1 hour. With this camcorder you can transfer hours of video in minutes. Editing software is altough not very advanced pretty decent, simple & easy 2 use. It can also output 2 DVD.

After I bought this camcorder, we have been using it almost everyday, every other camcorder we had owned before was stored in a bag somewhere at home occasionally used. With this camcorder, we have recorded more than our entire collection in just a few months. Yes there are certainly better camcorders out in the market, but you just can't carry them with you all the time.

Highly recommended !

This really is a first class camera 4 its size... easy 2 use, good quality output.
Only one thing 2 bear in mind... the microphone is at the rear of the device... perfect 4 picking up "heavy breathing" - or side comments on the action.... can be a bit of an embarrassment....

I enjoy this camera alot.
Friendly & photo video even in very low light conditions.
High quality video is eventually going on the tv or computer.
I have some problems with taking out the movies using the program but it's simple 2 copy the movies through the micromate reader.
I think it's the best product I have ever bought.

Meiri

The SDR-S150, with its 3CCD Camera System, reproduces color in great fidelity by using a separate CCD 4 reds, greens & blues. It's the same 3CCD technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, resulting in 540 lines of breathtaking resolution. You can count on Panasonic 3CCD Digital Camcorders 2 give you colors that are as rich & vibrant as your life. World-renowned lens-maker LEICA has developed an exquisite, 12-element, multi-coated lens that helps add a high-level of detail & subtlety 2 your creations. With refinements like a 2-stage neutral density filter 4 aperture independent adjustment, you'll appreciate the remarkably crisp, true-to-life color that is a hallmark of Leica Dicomar optics.
The Optical Image Stabilizer helps you obtain clear, beautiful pictures by compensating 4 any hand movement that occurs as you shoot video. Gyrosensors detect the amount & direction of movement, while a linear motor adjusts the lenses as needed 2 compensate. You get clear, sharp images in situations where hand-shake is typically a problem, like wide-angle shots or high magnification levels of the zoom.
What does all this mean? You can use this camcorder 4 recording great video & still images. Using an SD memory card (2GB included) with optional cards available 2 4GB, the SDR-S150 is incredibly tiny; easy 2 carry & use. It's only (H x W x D) 3.81'' x 1.1'' x 0.62'' - nearly pocket sized! Optical Image Stabilization virtually eliminates normal handshake resulting in sharper videos when camera is handheld Includes rechargeable battery, AC charger, 2GB SD card, USB cable (for PC or Macintosh transfer), A/V cable (for viewing images on TV or recording 2 VCR or DVD recorder), IR Remote Control Accepts 37mm filter accessories Unit Dimensions (H x W x D) 3.81'' x 1.1'' x 0.62'' / Weight 3.88 lbs

As the follow-up 2 the SDR-S100, the Panasonic SDR-S150 builds on the success of its predecessor. Not only can you record MPEG2 video straight 2 an SD card (2GB card included), but the 3CCD image sensor & optical image stabilization work 2 ensure that your images look their best. The S150 also uses Panasonic's proprietary Quad-Density Pixel Distribution technology 2 convert the image signal. Providing four times the pixel density when recording still pictures, this lets the S150 capture 3.1-megapixel (2048 x 1512) still pictures. Plus, 1.5-second quick start & a wide, 2.8-inch LCD monitor make it easy 2 operate.

SDR-S150 Highlights

Leica Dicomar lens
The Leica Dicomar lens was developed jointly by world renowned Leica Camera AG & Panasonic 2 clear stringent quality standards as an ideal lens system 4 digital video cameras.

Multi-coated lenses
The multicoated lens is able 2 suppress diffused reflection. The S150's lens system has 12 elements in 8 groups, with 14 multicoated surfaces.

Low-dispersion glasses
It minimizes chromatic aberration caused by focal deviations in the light after it enters the lens. This suppresses both colour bleeding & false colour.

O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer)

The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) cancels the hand-shake effect by stabilizing the image that reaches the CCD. Unlike the electrical stabilization system, the optical stabilization system accompanies almost no deterioration & unnatural touchup, This also works 4 the still picture as MEGA O.I.S. & assure sharp, clear motion pictures & still pictures.

3CCD camera system

The 3CCD camera system is used in most professional broadcast equipment. Each of the three primary colours is processed just the way it is. That means there is almost no light loss & the colour information is accurate.

Panasonic Original Engine (Crystal Engine plus MPEG2 Engine)

The Crystal Engine renders highly precise, life-like colours by processing each of the R, G & B signals from the three CCDS, while new noise shaping filters further improve processing precision. And the new Panasonic MPEG2 Engine achieves a level of recording quality in LP mode that approaches SP mode.

Crystal Engine
The three primary colours that are separated by the 3CCD system are processed individually. Noise is then optimally removed 2 produce images as beautiful as they appear in nature.

MPEG2 Engine
Panasonic has developed its own new MPEG2 Engine with Wide-Range Motion Search Tecnology & Variable Bit Rate System. It renders fast-moving subjects with outstanding precision. It also reproduces MPEG2 images in LP mode with the same level of resolution as images in SP mode.

With the SD/SDHC memory card, shooting video is easier & more convenient

Compact size, super-fast startup
The SD/SDHC Memory Card is just 24 x 32 x 2.1 mm (W x H x T) & weighs only 2 g (approx.). Startup time is very short too, so you can record on a moment's notice.

Use it almost anywhere
The tough little SD/SDHC Memory Card is highly resistant 2 heat, light, impact & dew condensation, so you can take it just about anywhere & use it in a wide range of conditions.

Quick, easy uploading 2 a PC
You don't have 2 run a finalising process when transferring data 2 a PC. With the SD Memory Card's quick, easy data transfer via the SD Memory Card slot, it's easy 2 use the video clips & still images you shoot.