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Panasonic SDR-H40 40GB Hard Drive Camcorder with 42x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Editorial Review:
The SDR-H40's 42x optical zoom lens has the power you need to take dramatic close-ups or get remarkable shots of even distant subjects. Panasonic's Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) suppresses the effects of handshake as you shoot. The system uses gyro sensors to detect handshake, then shifts a lens and adjusts the optical axis to compensate. The SDR-H40's 40GB internal hard disk drive lets you record continuously for up to 36 hours in LP mode without changing a disc, tape or other recording media. Panasonic's Anti-Shock Shield helps protect recorded video data from damage due to jolts and impact. The Drop Detect function senses if the camera is falling and moves the head away from the hard disk. You can transfer the motion-image data from the SD card or the camcorder's hard drive right to your PC using your USB port. With the included VideoCam Suite 1.0 software, you can easily put scenes in a different order and delete the ones you don't want. Advanced OIS Optical Image Stabilization Focal Length - 1.8 - 75.6 mm 35mm Film Camera Equivalent - 40.9-1718 mm [4 - 3], 33.4-1403 mm [16 - 9] Motion Image, and 40.7-1710 mm [4 - 3]/33.2-1393 mm [16 - 9] Still Picture White Balance - Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, and White Set with IR Sensor High Speed Shutter - 1/30-1/8000 (Motion Image), 1/30-1/500 (Still Picture) Backlight Compensation LCD Monitor - 2.7 Wide (123,200 Dots) Pure Color Engine Soft-Skin Mode Easy-to-Use Mode Dial MagicPix Images Microphone Stereo Zoom Wind Noise Reduction Date Recording - Auto Date in Date Code Quick Start - 2.1 seconds Dimensions - Height 2.76'' x Width 2.64'' x Depth 4.57'' Weight 0.75 pounds

Customer Reviews:
worth every penny
Good entry level product, great photos, the software could have been better. Enjoy using it!

Superb Product
I bought this Panasonic SDR-H40 camcorder for $250 (even better than the Black Friday price). This is a superb product with conveience to use.

Great Starter Camera
Great for a first camcorder. Takes good footage and audio, outdoors and in good lighting, not that great in a dark room. Not the best still picture quality. I was very please with the video quality, and over all satisfied with my purchase well worth the purchase price. I would recommend to first time camcorder owners, it is fairly simple to operate and very compact which was a plus for me.

Would recommend, but not Mac friendly unless your using bootcamp
As far as the camcorder is concerned it works wonders considering the price. I read the reviews and how cnet and other "Professionals" reviewed this calling it youtube quality. I've produced a couple of dvd and so far the quality is not Waner Brothers feature film but it is much better than youtube quality. I've had these dvds playing on big screen tvs and projectors and the quality is not lost. It has a nice long battery life and additional batteries are available to buy at local retailers like best buy.

Love the O.I.S. system
unlike other cameras i've used that use a digital stabilization this one moves the lens. the pictures are clear as move rather than choppy like other competitors.

all together i have only two complaints:

1) Panasonic did not include software at allows a users to transfer files onto a Mac. For those using a mac considering this product use bootcamp if you can, i use there software on a version of xp via bootcamp. It may not have the flair of Imove or Idvd but it works for producing those family moments on dvd just the same.

2) This camcorder does have a night mode setting on it but you find it useless. every time i turn it on the video slows down since the camcorder has to do more compensation for the low light levels. but on a positive note i was in a few dimly lit rooms and you could still see everything with out using the night mode.

great zoom, low light useless
pro: great zoom and anti-shake. controls are convenietly located.

cons: my regular digital camera takes better video inside.

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