Panasonic dinky HDC-SD9 may have grabbed the lion’s share of our attention, but he was released in tandem with another new model. The HDC-HS9 not quite the same appeal miniaturized, or about 10 mm wider and much heavier. However, it does pack the same characteristics that helped make the HDC-SD9 camera the most exciting that we have seen so far this year. It also has a built-in hard drive, so you do not need to invest in a large SD card to store a respectable number of video.

The HDC-HS9 uses a trio of 1/6in CCD, each with a gross of 560000 pixels. They are small, but with at least three of them are providing a discreet signal for each color channel. CCDs are aggregated for digital photography, allowing 2.1-megapixel images at 1920 x 1080 - not exactly print resolution, but enough for email and web. Panasonic Image Stabilization is the Advanced Optical variety, which is much more effective than the digital equivalent. In particular, no loss of optical resolution is involved in the anti-shake technology.

The HS9 records video in AVCHD format, which uses the more efficient MPEG-4 AVC H.264 rather than compression system MPEG-2 HDV. Four modes are available. The HA, HG and HX modes record of 1920 x 1080, but it uses the same 1440 x 1080 as HDV frame size. The title is made HA mode. Not only does this offer a rate of 17Mbits/sec - the highest of any camcorder AVCHD currently available - but it is also true Full HD, with progressively scanned frames. Other modes to always use the video, and the way SE operates at 6Mbits/sec. But all that is identical to the HDC-SD9. That highlights the HS9 is the 60GB hard drive. Even at the highest level of quality in HA, it will be enough for nearly 8 hours of video. The HS9 still has an SD card slot, but we do not see much use so readily available space on board.

Unfortunately, despite the large body compared to the SD9, HS9 has no additional features for the enthusiasts. There is no accessory shoe, no microphone input, and no headphone jack. And what looks like a manual focus ring up simply unscrews the automatic lens cover. The HS9 also has the function joystick to the side rather than the rear as with most Panasonic camcorders. Then you need two hands to operate it, rather than just one.

This makes the development manually using the cross a little trickier than it should be. But at least the sports HS9 Panasonic feature comprehensive set of hand controls. The iris can vary between F1.8 and F16 (completely open), then up to 18dB gain added on top of 3 dB increments. The trigger can be independently varied between 1/50th and 1/8000th of a sec. The joystick also allows quick access to manual white balance, as well as auto interior and exterior, as well as intelligent contrast (which avoids overexposure in light conditions). Colour Night View, a Soft Skin color setting, Low Light and Tele Macro all modes are available here as well.

Although some of the buttons are located in a different place at the SD9, HS9 always includes a separate order for the innovative face recognition. This detects up to five faces and make sure they are properly set. So, if you are against a brilliant shooting people from the sky, their faces will not come out dark. The Pre-rec feature also has its own button. This buffer few seconds of images all the time. If you hit record too slowly to catch an event, you should not miss, because it will be pre-rec tack for a few seconds on the forehead. The HDC-HS9 also sports new Panasonic intelligent Shooting Guide, which offers handy context-sensitive advice on how you could improve your video without having to take its advice. The suggestions ranged from time to switch Intelligent Light and Low Contrast modes, to let you know when your camera is moving too fast.

The HDC-HS9 includes five microphone system that can capture a 5.1 surround sound recorded as Dolby Digital. The directional capability can also be used to improve ease Zoom Mic, which tries to capture the audio concentrate on the same surface as the zoom video. The Focus Mic installation goes even further, trying to eliminate all the background noise, except that from what is in the frame.

With exactly the same optics and the CCD as the HDC-SD9, we expect the HDC-HS9 to do the same - and this is the case. In broad daylight, the colors are very vibrant, but slightly more saturated than we have come to expect from Panasonic camcorders. Nevertheless, the HS9 certainly excels in optimal conditions.

With less illumination - the equivalent of a well-lit living room - the HS9 still manages decent color. Use the manual control to push the maximum gain this improves further. But there is little visible grain, making the image less sharp than in the daylight. This increases the chances that the light that falls, and the color washes completely. Thus, while the HDC-HS9 will satisfy consumers in most shooting conditions, it is not recommended for recording nocturnal.

AVCHD as a camcorder, Panasonic sequences is now fairly widely supported by the software. It can be made to the editing application of your choice via the camcorder’s USB 2.0 port. One component of ownership and connecting video A / V minijack are provided for viewing on a TV. An HDMI port is also available, but it is hidden under the battery, as well as DC input. Not an ideal solution, since you can use it only when the camera is on food, and more is the variety of mini-HDMI also need an adapter for use with HDMI cables .

Verdict

We have forgiven the HDC-SD9 amateurs lack of features because its small size and reasonable price, will make you much more likely to keep it with you at all times. Although the HDC-HS9 has almost the same features, plus a hard disk of 60 GB is more normally proportioned and around £ 200 more expensive. Having Full HD video quality associated with a healthy video storage capacity will also leave many disappointed by the absence of a skating rink and the fact that you can not connect a microphone third. The HDC-HS9 is still a great camcorder, and would sell like hot cakes in Japan. But it would be even better with a little more functionality lovers, especially for the money.