Of course, even the best technical specifications can be undone by a terrible user experience. So how does the Panasonic HDC-TM10 actually handle? What immediately strikes you is its compact size. It fits snugly into the palm of your hand, held firmly in place with a small, adjustable strap.
It's not cluttered with buttons either. There's an easy-access record button on the back next to the battery release switch. Below this, a simple slider enables you to flick easily between Record and Playback modes.
SIMPLE: Panasonic included as few buttons as possible to make it easy to use
Flip open the 2.7-inch LCD and you can start recording video and taking digital photos within a few minutes.
The LCD rotates 180 degrees and is touch-sensitive, making it easy to access the main menu and camcorder settings. In contrast, the buttons below the display are slightly unresponsive and require a firm push to activate.
At first, the Panasonic HDC-TM10 can feel slightly fragile. But despite its lightweight construction (we've held heavier mugs of tea...), it's surprisingly rugged. Admittedly, it's not the sort of camcorder you'd want to drop. But if you did, there's a good chance it would survive the fall.
TOUCHSCREEN: it's easy to operate and the interface is clear and simple
The small battery slots neatly into the main body of the Panasonic HDC-TM10, above component, HDMI, A/V and mini USB connections. This 725mAh cell can be juiced-up in about an hour and a half and you'll get roughly the same amount of continuous recording time from a full charge.
Bigger batteries are available if you need to shoot for longer. While Panasonic also supplies a DC cable in the box, which enables you to plug the HDC-TM10 into the mains via the battery charger. Very handy.
Your comments (1) Click to add a new comment
wheaty
November 11th
1. I found your review to be very helpful and the TM 10 would seem to be the camcorder that I ought to buy. At present I have an old Sony Digital 8 camcorder and I do like the ease with which one can edit Mini DV video. I was thinking of going for a Sony HDR XR 105, but it seems that it may not be as good as the TM 10. However, I am concerned that I would have to get new software to be edit the video in the AVCHD format. Presumably that is the format for all High Defintion video, but is there some difficulty with MTS files - in one review that I read, it referred to "the dreaded MTS" - it sounds as if having recorded all the video, I might struggle to edit it. I would be most grateful for your thoughts and is the AVCHD from Panasonic any fifferent or more difficult to unravel than that from Sony or Canon.
Many thanks
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