Handy Cam Segment,Handy cam, camcoder, flash media, internal memory, DVD, mini DV, sony, canon, compact, horizontalvertical.

The Panasonic VDR-D310 (USD699) is no doubt their best-level DVD camcorder, substituting VDR-D300. We admired that camcorder for its superb functioning in bright light conditions and convincing manual control system. On the other hand, Sony’s DCR-DVD505 gave an even better image result. This year these two companies lessened the price of their substitute models to a great extent. However they also produced a much fresher top-class model – AVCHD high definition DVD camcorders. Not everybody is prepared for HD, however, and the VDR-D310 gives convincing argues to stay in standard def for the moment: nice video, optical image stabilization, a reasonable low cost, and many more.

Brand

• Sony

Search By

• Still Image Resolution

• Technology Type

• Camcorder Style

• Still Image Capability

Camcorder Style

• Camcorder Style

• Compact

• Vertical

Video Performance

The Panasonic VDR-D310 (USD500) is outfitted with three 1/6” Charge-coupled devices, all having a gross resolution of 800,000 pixels (540, 00 effective pixels in 16:9; 640,000 pixels in 4:3). The specifications are same as of last year’s camcorder VDR-D300 (USD535). Once more, it is the one and only 3-chip DVD camcorder. Other producers choose for a single, bigger chip, which is likely to give good results in low light conditions. In bright light conditions, the functioning can be pretty close. Panasonic’s 3-chip camcorders seem to give superb looking color.

At 3000 lux, the color balance is remarkably great. It’s basically the same picture similar to the last year’s VDR-D300. The fine detail preservation is reasonably good.

Low Light Performance

The three small Charge-coupled devices did not perform greatly in low light conditions. The camcorder in fact performed badly as compared to the MiniDV model, the PV-GS320. However the image did not miss a great deal of fine detail, the image dulled to a great extent if matched to bright light. The colors missed their liveliness totally. On the other hand, we should acclaim Panasonic for avoiding noise.

All Panasonic camcorders give the power to manually handle the gain on one occasion the aperture has been opened up completely. However a manual gain boost is utilitarian in the case if the camcorder has not been released the function mechanically. The gain level goes equal to 18dB, whereas the auto control had already forced it equal to that max. There was nowhere to go from here.

Wide Angle

We examined the VDR-D310’s utmost field of view by putting the camcorder on a tripod stand on OIS switched off and the zoom drew back to a maximum wide angle. The right and left angles were then evaluated employing a vertical laser. The difference between angle evaluations showed us the maximum field of view, which on the VDR-D310 demonstrated to be 43 degrees.