Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

I bought this camera at BestBuy when I found out what YouTube was all
about. Economical, compact, & had the software 4 editing & uploading. So far, I've done 5 videos, they're all on the website, & I'm
happy with the results. I probably would have liked a move around mic, but I've no complaint with the sound as it is. Surprisingly tiny 4 the
things it does. Battery business is just fine 4 my varieties of nonsense. It should be remembered that this came out 4 the YouTube
generation, & it fits this niche very well.

After seeing mixed reviews on this product (Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom), we decided 2 try it anyway. Only took a minute or so of video before the camera got so hot you couldn't hold it in your hand. We let it cool off & tried again. Same thing. We took the memory card out & plugged it into the computer 2 view the result. The images were broken up & jerky. We sent this camera back 4 a refund -- it was utterly useless. We really expected better from Panasonic.

I got the cheaper (silver) model here on Amazon about a week ago, & am mostly pleased.

In my opinion, the real competition 4 this camcorder are not the Canon FS100 or similar flash-based mainstream camcorders, but rather the "Flipcams," Aiptek handhelds, etc. Compared 2 any of those that I've tried, the quality is much better, & the size is still miniscule.

That said, the quality is slightly worse than the 3+ year old MiniDV camera it's replacing... but at 1/4 the size, & entirely flash based, it's MUCH more convenient, very much a "go anywhere" pocket camera.

Key reasons 2 get this:
- size & portability, a "go anywhere" portable camcorder
- convenience & low cost of flash memory

Key reasons not 2 get this:
- want a more general-purpose camcorder
- want a useful still picture resolution (VGA-resoltion stills are useless.)

Other Pluses:
- good zoom range

Mixed bag:
- decent video quality
- good range of controls, but not the easiest 2 handle through the menu

Minuses:
- so-so low light performance
- electronic rather than optical image stabilization

I only feel obliged 2 write this because I have owned both camcorders. I bought the Panasonic at Wal-Mart the 1st of August. I wanted 2 tape my sons football games with it. The first couple of weeks I tried it ou & it seemed 2 do OK. Even though the MOD files could not be recognized by my computer the supplied software, while basic, did transfer them from the camera into the computer as mpg files that it would recognize. I successfully created a DVD using Roxio 10. As I used it more I noticed how bad the video was (I guess the newness wore off). The background in shots looked extremely soft & fuzzy. Anything that was close (10 2 15 feet) or if you zoomed way in was OK. When I was really disappointed was when I tried taping my sons first football game. I used it in conjunction with the video mode on my Fuji camera. I just put the panasonic on a tripod & did not zoom in far so I could capture the whole play with out moving the camera. I was not expecting 2 see good detail doing this but what I got turned my stomach. It was so fuzzy & the color was so bad that I could not tell one team from the other. there was no way I could have ever read a jersey number. Even being able 2 sort the players by teams would have helped but the video was useless. Luckily I had a few days 2 still take it back. I paid $299 4 it at Wal-Mart. I decided 2 go with the Canon FS100 ($399 at Wal-Mart but I got mine through amazon 4 $315). It is a SD Card based camera just like the Panasonic. The Panasonic is the smallest camcorder I have ever seen, so it is handy 2 have if the video quality is not an issue. The FS100 is about twice the size but fits more comfortably in larger hands (still smaller than a pop can). It feels more solid. When I saw the video I knew I had made the right choice. it records in MOD format also. Unfortunately the software that came with it would not load on my computer. I have heard that the software is not worth much any way. I had WINAMP on my computer which converted them. I have read that you can just change the file name from *.MOD 2 *.MPG but I have not tried that yet. I had video from the Panasonic on my computer still so i duplicated those shots using the CANON & made another DVD alternating Panasonic,Canon,Panasonic,etc. The difference was unbelievable. If you want a small camcorder 4 goofing off with friends the Panasonic might fit the bill. If you would actually like 2 be able 2 go back & enjoy the videos, produce good DVDs & use the videos as a learning tool, choose the CANON FS100. By the way - I just started buying stuff from Amazon & they are wonderful. I ordered the camcorder on Monday about midnight & I was playing with it by noon on wednesday.

I recently purchased this product from best buy (yesterday) & will be returning it today. The picture quality is just too bad 2 justify the $300 dollar price tag. It does have positive attributes such as size, portability & ease of use. The problem is my digital camera (still) takes the same if not better quality video as the SDR-S7. It's too bad because the positives would have made this a great camera if not 4 the YouTube like video quality.

Look! No tapes or discs. All camcorder images are recorded on a replaceable SD memory card, about the size of a postage stamp. That translates 2 a camcorder that's smaller & lighter than practically any camcorder you've used. Catch those shooting opportunities with this Panasonic SDR-S7K SD Card Camcorder. With its quick start-up time of 0.6 seconds from the time the LCD is opened, you'll be able 2 catch your baby's first walk, your favorite sports teams' win, or your pet's silly trick. Bring your subjects incredibly close with its 10x optical zoom & easily put your video onto DVD with the included video-editing software. And since it's so compact, you can take it anywhere.

LCD Monitor - 2.7 Wide (123,200 Dots) On-Screen Display Language - English / Canadian French / Spanish Recording Time with 16GB SDHC card - Up 2 3hrs 20 min in XP mode, 6 hrs 40 min in SP mode, 13hrs 20 min in LP mode PictBridge Included Accessories - AC Adaptor, Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, Hand Strap, AV Cable, USB Cable, Motion SD Studio 1.3E Software, AC/DC Cables SD Memory Card not included - SDHC - 16GB - XP(3hrs 20minutes)/SP(6hrs 40 mins)/LP(13hrs 20 mins), 8GB - XP(1hr 40mins)/SP(3hrs 20mins)/LP(6hrs 40mins), 4GB - XP(50mins)/SP(1hr 40 mins)/LP(3hrs 20 mins); SD - 2GB - XP(25mins)/SP(50mins)/LP(1hr 40mins), 1GB - XP(12mins)/SP(25mins)/LP(50mins)