| Panasonic HDC-HS9 AVCHD 3CCD 60GB Hard Drive High Definition Hybrid Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | 
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| Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $899.99
Buy New: $585.99
You Save: $314.00 (35%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (12 reviews)
Sales Rank: 517
Color: silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 42
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 30
Minimum Focal Length: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 4.5 x 1.2 x 2.5
MPN: HDC-HS9
Model: HDC-HS9
UPC: 037988256679
EAN: 0037988256679
ASIN: B0011G0Q10
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Capture high-definition video to hard disk drive; 60 GB storage | | • | 10x optical zoom; Advanced Mega Optical Image Stabilizer | | • | Face detection technology; Intelligent Shooting Guide | | • | 5.1-channel surround sound; Zoom mic feature | | • | Compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The HS9 introduces Panasonic's first Face Detection function for use in recording moving pictures with a camcorder.Face Detection automatically locates any faces in the picture and adjusts the exposure, contrast and skin tone to achieve optimal results. Even when the faces are backlit or the lighting is low, the recorded faces are clear and easy to see and not lost in the shadows.With Face Detection, there's no longer a need to use different correction functions in different kinds of shooting situations.To maximize the advantage of Full High Definition 1920 x 1080p (25fps), users must shoot top quality footage. Errors in shooting the footage can often lead to dissapointment.The HS9 assist users and the results are less mistakes.Intelligent Shooting Guide detects when shooting conditions are poor such as when the camcorder is panning too quickly or tilted, the user's hand is swinging, the subject is backlit, or the lighting is too low - and displays operating advice in the LCD. Users become aware of a potential problem before they shoot, rather than later when reviewing or playing back the recording.This gives them a chance to correct the settings and get good, error-free results every time.3CCD camera system works by splitting the light received through the lens into its three primary color components (red, green and blue), and the signal from each is processed by one of the three CCDs. Compared with conventional 1CCD camera systems, Panasonic's 3CCD system provides more vivid, true-to-life colors, greater detail and richer gradation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Pansonic HD Recorder November 16, 2008
This has one of the best picture qualities ever with the three CCD's on it. I love using it and have recorded numerous shots just with the one 60 Gig hard drive on it even though you can add a memory chip to it. The battery last a long time as well. I would have added a mic input to it though then it would have been perfect for the novice film maker. However, the sound quality of the camera is great. I would buy this product again. Also, they have great customer service.
 not impressed with this camcorder November 3, 2008
I tested this camcorder for about a week.
From a design point of view I did not like the fact that you have to remove the battery to connect it to AC power. The camcorder will not connect to a PC to download movies and pictures unless it is on AC power, so I had to plug/unplug the battery a lot while I was doing tests.
I was not impressed with the picture quality, even when shooting at the highest quality setting (17 Mbps) I could see compression artifacts and there was a general lack of sharpness in everything I shot. This was also very noticeable when taking jpeg stills, which to me is unacceptable, even the cheapest digital still cameras can record high quality jpegs. This was a surprise to me, one of the main reasons I decided to buy this camera was that it has 3 CCDs, I expected quality was not going to be an issue, but sadly it was.
There is a very curious feature in this camera that pops up messages on the viewfinder giving advice or suggesting settings to improve the image. While I can see that it might be useful to get a suggestion when to enable low light mode I've found the "you are panning too fast" message to be annoying, this appears when panning at almost any speed, even very slow speeds if the scene you are shooting is busy enough. Of course these popups can be turned off if you don't want to see them.
For those who work in 24p this camera records plain 24p streams to the hard drive and SD cards, there is no pulldown applied. This is possibly the one great feature of this camcorder, as other camcorders record 24p as a 29.97 interlaced stream with pulldown applied, which requires a processing step to restore the original sequence if you want to edit 24p native.
In the end I decided to return the camcorder. I was looking forward to a camcorder that will last me for many years (I bought my previous camcorder about 10 years ago, it was a Sony TRV-900 MiniDV if you are curious). Sadly I realized that I would get tired of this one pretty soon due to the many negative aspects I described above. I ordered a Canon Vixia HG21 now, we'll see how it goes with it.
Great product! September 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I researched many HD video cameras and was very happy with this one! I wanted the latest technology and a great picture. The picture quality is fantastic! Just make sure to use the image stabilizer or the video may be a little shaky.
 included software is out of date September 11, 2008
0 out of 5 found this review helpful
The camera is fine but the manual and included software are junk. Software will not install with XP sp3. The manual is poorly organized and very poorly written. I will not buy another item from Panasonic.
Great little cam/camera July 26, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I love this piece of equipment. While it is expensive; I got a great price at Amazon.com compared to going to Best Buy. Versatile and easy to use with beautiful sharp video and snapshots which I paired with a Panasonic Viera HDTV and my video life will never be the same.
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