Panasonic's HDC-TM700 and HDC-HS700 HD camcorders get priced and dated for US

Spring has arrived here in the States, which means that nearly every single one of those camcorders introduced at CES this year will be shipping out in time for you to capture Little Billy's summer league baseball, Tiny Tom's first dip in the ocean and Merry Maggie's (eighth) wedding ceremony. Included in that bunch is Panasonic, which has informed us that its HDC-TM700 and HDC-HS700 1080p 3MOS camcorders will be available in the middle of next month (that's April, for those without a Gregorian calendar nearby) for $999.95 and $1,399.95, respectively. You know capturing Bashful Brad's Bar Mitzvah in the finest of quality is worth it.

[shizzledmg Posted Mar 26th 2010 8:28AM]

the red color on the casing is a design sin

[Le Big Mac Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:18AM]

@shizzledmg

Dude, "touch of color" -- it's klassy.

[SVTruong Posted Mar 27th 2010 11:00AM]

@shizzledmg

red on the lens barrel have always been a design cue for cameras and camcorders to mark a higher level product. This is just a mark of hierarchy.

[robotlove Posted Mar 29th 2010 6:52AM]

dear engadget why dont you ever include the zoom specs on camcorders? please?

[Distant Posted Mar 26th 2010 8:33AM]

I still have a Sony mini-DV camcorder. I should get with the times.

[Le Big Mac Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:18AM]

@Distant

How does miniDV quality compare to AVCHD? (I'm assuming miniDV on an HD camcorder, not SD--duh).

[espentan Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:30PM]

@Le Big Mac

I was about to arrest you there ;)
The HD Sony miniDV camcorder I have is vastly inferior to the one I have using AVCHD, but that's not surprise given the fact that they are a couple of generations apart. The resolution on the tape eating camcorder is also lower 1440x1080i vs 1920x1080i.

[AlthalusTheThief Posted Mar 26th 2010 8:53AM]

Looks very like the Canon L series with the Red Ring. Though I must say I don't not like it. I would get it.
It's a shame it doesn't have interchangeable Lenses.
Perhaps the next version will? But I doubt it.

[wack Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:33AM]

@AlthalusTheThief
At the $1000 price point for a dedicated HD Camera, you're not going to get interchangeable lenses. You need a DSLR system for that, and perhaps the only camera that would be in this would be the Canon Rebel Ti2 but the whole point of the HDC 700's are improved image stability for run and gun shooting, not exactly something you can do through an DLSR.

@Bratan
um, tell me where to get a 5D Mk II with a comperable lens for under $1400 and I'll be happy to ge it.

[Information Central Posted Mar 26th 2010 5:15PM]

The press release on this is worthless because it's missing two critical pieces of information:

1. What codec do these cameras use?
2. What's the maximum bitrate?

And a 35mm (35mm equivalent) wide angle is pretty lame. At least they mention it as a feature, though, instead of touting ridiculous "20X zoom!"

[Bratan Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:40AM]

At this price you might as well get 21mpx Canon 5D Mk II :) Anybody is still using those overpriced HD camcoders?

[majortom1981 Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:46AM]

@Bratan how much zoom do you get out of the box though with that camera?

[glennS Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:10PM]

@Bratan
I've not played with a DSLR, but a friend of mine works with a local small independent film maker that relies on them. My understanding is that the DSLR cameras a fantastic for set shots (ie scenes) but have a file size limit that restricts each scene to a few minutes. That is fine when you plan to edit it all together. But it isn't going to cut the mustard when all you want to do it film a birthday party or a kids soccer game, or any situation when you just want show up and start filming. If I am wrong about the DSLRs, them please correct me.

[techlord Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:17PM]

@Bratan

DSLR would had jelly effect when focus moving object, 5D mark 2 is $2500 body, with the lens added would easily cost $4000. True the 5d mark 2 is more design for certain professional use, but this camcorder has new f 1.5 lens would be excellent in low light and also has lots of function. 1/4 of cost is idea for home use, 5d mark 2 body alone weight almost twice as this camcorder.

[Le Big Mac Posted Mar 26th 2010 2:04PM]

@Bratan

At the Canon 5D price you might as well get a Canon XH-A1 camcorder or something similar.

[Bratan Posted Mar 26th 2010 4:06PM]

@majortom1981
You can get as much zoom as needed :) But yeah I got the point, you guys are right file size limitation and price of 5D MKII do make it less usable than this camcorder. It's just that since I'm a photographer I now use my canon primarily for all my video chores and find camcoders a bit outdated technology. And at $1400 this seems to be just crazy...

[techlord Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:15PM]

http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/hd/hs700_tm700_sd700/ official page

[Old fogie late bloomer Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:27PM]

I wonder if the contrast ratio drops precipitously after a year of use....

Sorry, cheap shot. ;)

[fonso Posted Mar 26th 2010 8:35PM]

This appears to be the direct replacement of the TM-300 which was a beast of a machine for the price point. So far, the improvements seem to be:

- 1080p / 60p frames with 24p native capture capability (maybe 2 hours of footage to consume 32gb at 60p HA mode?)
- 12x optical zoom
- Significantly cheaper price point than the TM-300

I don't think Final Cut Pro has a capture setting for 1080p 60 fps yet... This looks like another winner to me.

[Water Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:37PM]

Make me think should I wait and buy this? Hmm I just want something simple to make good home videos and YouTube