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Panasonic VDR-M50

review DATE:09.08.04

Panasonic VDR-M50

review

By Glenn Menin

The Panasonic VDR-M50 is a single-CCD subcompact video camcorder that records directly to DVD media. If you want a device that will produce DVDs you can pop into your DVD player and watch on a TV, you'll find the VDR-M50 convenient. But if you want to record to the higher-quality DV format (as opposed to MPEG-4), this isn't the camcorder for you. Both the video and the still images leave something to be desired.

red arrow Read the Panasonic VDR-M50 full review

Company

Panasonic Corp. of North America

http://www.panasonic.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: 
  • Weight: 1.15 lb
  • LCD size: 2.5 inches
  • CCD Resolution: 0.68 megapixels
  • CCDType: Single CCD
  • Video Recording Format: DVD-RAM, DVD-R
  • Still Image Recording Format: Secure Digital type / MB
  • Battery Life: 2 Hr
  • Image Stabilization: Digital
  • Focal Length (Wide): 2.1 mm
  • Focal Length (Telephoto): 37.8 mm

Bottom Line

While it may appeal to people who want the simplicity of being able to record directly to DVD-R or DVD-RAM discs, the Panasonic VDR-M50 will also frustrate enthusiasts by virtue of the DVD format's limitations. Ad-ditionally, we aren't impressed by the video—a problem in a $799.95 camcorder.

Pros

Very small and portable. Easy to use. Welcome 18X optical zoom.

Cons

Mediocre image stabilization and still-image quality. Can't shoot higher-quality DV, only MPEG-4. Mediocre audio.

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