On CBS.com: Watch Exclusive CSI Cross Over Video
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet

Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Panasonic HDC-HS250

Product Name Panasonic HDC-HS250

Panasonic HDC-HS250

 Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

 Canon Vixia HG20

Canon Vixia HG20

 Panasonic HDC-TM300 (Black)

Panasonic HDC-TM300 (Black)

 Canon Vixia HF20

Canon Vixia HF20
Release Date 04/15/2009 04/01/2009 09/15/2008 04/01/2009
Price Range Check latest prices » $599-$1023 Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $750-$900 Check latest prices » $1063-$1300 Check latest prices » $579-$1000
Review Summary A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS250 is the best deal of its product line, but has the same annoying touch-screen interface. While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price. A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 nevertheless has an annoying touch-screen interface. While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier-looking.
Series See all products in this series »
User Rating Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product!

Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder - 1080p
Enclosure Color Black Black
Digital Zoom 700 x 300 x 200 x 700 x 300 x
Optical Sensor Size 1/4.1" 1/4" 1/3.2" 1/4.1" 1/4"
Optical Sensor Type 3MOS CMOS CMOS CMOS CMOS
Min Illumination 1 lux 0.4 lux 0.2 lux 1 lux 0.4 lux
Digital Video Format AVCHD, H.264 AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVCHD AVCHD, H.264 AVCHD, MPEG-4
Image Stabilizer Optical (Advanced O.I.S.) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (Advanced O.I.S.) Optical (SuperRange)
Min Shutter Speed 1/2 sec 1/2 sec 1/2 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/8000 sec 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Cloudy, Indoor, Outdoor, Sunlight Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (warm white) Cloudy, Indoor, Outdoor, Sunlight Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)
Camera Flash Built-in flash Built-in flash Built-in flash Built-in flash Built-in flash
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Sensor Resolution 2.99 megapixels 2.99 megapixels
Total Pixels 3.89 megapixels 3.3 megapixels 9.15 megapixels 3.89 megapixels
Analog Video Format NTSC NTSC NTSC
Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Scenery, Fireworks, Low light, Spotlight, Night scene, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Night portrait Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode
Exposure Modes Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction Auto mode, Red-eye reduction Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator Flash +/- compensation AF illuminator
Remove from comparison