| Panasonic VDR-M53 DVD Camcorder w/24x Optical Zoom | 
 enlarge | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $599.95
Buy New: $255.85
You Save: $344.10 (57%)
Buy New from $255.85
Avg. Customer Rating:   (9 reviews)
Sales Rank: 22700
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 24
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 50.4
Minimum Focal Length: 2.1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 7 x 5.3
MPN: VDR-M53P-S
Model: VDR-M53P-S
UPC: 037988253135
EAN: 0037988253135
ASIN: B0007QN888
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 1/6-inch CCD imager with 680K resolution | | • | Compatible with DVD-RAM and DVD-R formats | | • | 24x optical zoom with digital image stabilization | | • | 2.5-inch diagonal color LCD | | • | Disc navigation feature for easy on-camcorder video viewing |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Record directly onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs for multiple recording and playback options. With DVD-RAM discs you never have to worry about erasing a recording or finding blank space. You can just start recording. DVD-RAM discs can also be played back in compatible devices, like select computers and home DVD-players. DVD-R discs are strong and versatile, and can also be played back on most home DVD players.The VDR-M53 has a built-in digital still camera which lets you capture incredibly lifelike still images directly onto a DVD disc or SD Memory Card. Now you can store all your memories form a special event conveniently in one place.The optical zoom acts like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity. And, with variable zoom speeds, you can adjust how fast the camcorder lens moves from wide-angle to full telescope. In addition, the digital zoom ratio can be increased up to an extraordinary 800x. Now that's close up!Digital EIS compensates for unintentional hand and camcorder movement to help stabilize your recordings, even while you're recording as a passenger from a moving vehicle or while walking. With Digital EIS, you will not have to worry about shaky soccer games or family outings.You can also record onto SD Memory Cards. These versatile, high-capacity storage cards are extremely small - about the size of a postage stamp. They work as "digital film, " letting you capture images and then transfer them to a compatible PC, TV, PDA, or other device equipped with an SD slot. It is an easy way to share your images with friends and family.The LCD monitor provides excellent viewing clarity in full vivid color. The 2.5" diagonal color LCD screen rotates up to 270-degrees for multiple viewing angles, providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. Now you can enjoy your finished recordings right on the spot.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Learn from my lesson - Buy another product June 26, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've owned a VDR-m53 for 20 months. I have lost at least 4 event DVDs (birthdays, holiday pageant, vacation) to disk errors even when using the correct media, being incredibly careful with this camera, and following all relevant instructions. According to panasonic my camcorder is in good working condition, and the problems I'm having are due to "bad media". I've purchased the appropriate type of mini-DVDs from various major brands at several chain stores, and I've had these problems (corrupted disks/disk erros/disks in need of repair/camera unable to read portions or all of disks/video freezing) on every major brand, even on brand new disks used the day of purchase.
I'm not a clueless, reckless consumer. I was duped into buying a product that is utterly unreliable. I'm sending it back to Panasonic. Not because I want a new one (or a credit toward a Panasonic product, as they have been horrendously unhelpful with customer service and tech support), but so they understand I'd rather never see this terrible piece of equipment again.
If, in fact, they are correct and my camcorder works fine, then the DVD media is so horribly unreliable that I can assure you I will NOT buy another DVD-recording camera. So much for the convenience of recording right onto a DVD. I'd rather pay a professional to transfer my precious videos, because at least I'd HAVE them.
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER! November 21, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
If I could, I would give this camcorder a 0 of 5. Since I now have to search for a new camcorder, from reading other Panasonic model reviews, I am convinced I did not just get a lemon, but the Panasonic brand is bad.
We bought this camcorder 18 months ago at the birth of our son. It has had problems from the beginning. First, I could not finalize the disk. I called Panasonic support, who basically told me the problems we were having were because the camera was not being held still while recording. This is ridiculous since I often set the camera down on a countertop so I can be in the video. Then I finally got someone to tell me that I needed to be recording on Panasonic mini-DVDs. The best it has worked have been on the Panasonic DVDs which are some of the most expensive, and even that is no guarantee that you will be able to watch the DVD after finalization. I still have freezing of the picture and sparatic playback when trying to watch. It has skipped over whole sections. I have 3 DVD players in my home (all different brands) and the disk works on none of them.
I finally got an address to send it in for repairs. I was not happy to be without my camcorder for an extended period of time. I was told they would look at the camcorder, see if there was a problem and call me. I waited a week after I knew it was in the shop to check the status. Panasonic FAILED TO MENTION that I would need to pay $207.50 UP FRONT for them to look at it, then if any repairs were needed, this cost would cover them as well. SO, I have been without a camcorder for 3 weeks while waiting to see if it needed fixing, and the company I sent it to has not even looked at it because I have not paid them! This is crazy since I can get a brand new miniDV camcorder for $225.
The only reason it has taken me so long to take drastic action is because we are military living overseas and bought it at Best Buy. So you see why I couldn't just take it back to the store (or I would have a long time ago)! Also after spending over $500 on this piece of junk, I could not afford to just replace it. Sending it in was not an option when my son was a newborn, because I didn't want to miss any precious memories (which I ened up missing anyway!). So now the holidays are upon us, and I will be forced to purchase another camcorder, since I don't know if they will send it back to me in time for Christmas. I will not pay the $207.50 for a camera that hasn't worked well out of the box. I also had to pay shipping both ways for nothing!
Plus another thing, the still picture is bad quality. Very grainy and you can actually see pixels when you print it. We only used that function once.
I have lost so many disks, and have so many others that only play part of the DVD that when I think of it I cry. I have also wasted so much time trying to figure out how to fix the problem with a customer support that is useless. I wish I would have never bought this camcorder! IF YOU ARE BUYING THIS CAMCORDER TO CAPTURE MEMORIES, BUY ANOTHER! I will not buy Panasonic products again!
 Good camera July 13, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've bought this camera about a year ago and I am very happy with it. The batery charges fast and lasts long, the movies are good in quality (clear, not blured, the colors come out exactly the same) and the camera is light enough. The only problem I've had so far is that you cannot record in the dark - the movie comes out darker than it seemed and you can hardly see anything. Otherwise I am more than happy with the camera.
 I would not buy it again. January 30, 2006
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you buy this camera, remember to buy also additional DVD copy software (IntelVideo Copy - around $70), plus only Panasonic DVD-Ram mini DVD disks (also expensive). Also, after my experience, if you erase one DVD-ram disc at least twice, on the third use the movie will have many video or audio problems. Not knowing this problem, I ruined my friend's baby shower video. Panasonic customer service is not helpful at all. A representative was even surprised that my camera does not have USB cable!!! Other then that - let's say, once you cannot return this camera to the store, because I opened it and used it, you can still enjoy lightness of the camera. One more thing: you need to purchase the light also; this camera does not have built-in light - you will need it. ... So, how much does the camera cost after all???
Can't edit on my PC January 5, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I bought this camera because of consumer reports great reviews. But I'm bound and determined to get my images onto my PC. I purchased a DVD-RAM compatible drive for my PC and still can't get it to recongnize either DVD-RAM or DVD-R disks. Do I need special software? And if so what? Roxio DVD builder is not doing the trick.
Other than that, the camera works great, images and sound are clear, and camera is easy to opperate. If you figure out a new cell phone, you can figure out this.
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