Recording media is not included, be prepared - always carry extra media.
The Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder puts 1920 x 1080 high definition recording at your fingertips, along with hours upon hours of storage thanks to the 120GB hard disk drive and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot. In addition, the camera features a number of shooting controls that take the guesswork out of shooting video. The HS80 sports respectable functionality, with the detail and beauty of HD, at a mid-range price-point.
The basic features of the HS80 reveal a 2.7" touch screen LCD, and a 34x wide-angle zoom lens. The LCD, aside from providing intuitive touch screen control of the camera also enables 1.0 second Quick Power-On and 0.6 second Quick Start. Both options get you shooting fast, while preserving battery life when you're not recording. On the inside, the camera has all the standard features one would expect a mid-range HD cam to have. Intelligent 42x zoom, optical image stabilization, a fast processor, and a 1/5.8" CMOS image sensor are core functions that help to make the video you capture as true-to-life as possible, not to mention, to keep the process moving.
Along with the core features you would expect to find on every camcorder for basic operation, the HS80 embodies a number of shooting controls that help to make the shooting experience an enjoyable one. While fast becoming the norm on HD camcorders, there are some that still do not provide a separate digital still capture function. The HS80 provides you with a 3MP still picture mode for taking pictures. Intelligent Resolution Technology, incorporated in the Crystal Engine PRO, helps to make your videos better without the need for you to do anything. This technology brings definition, while reducing noise, to your memories automatically.
Other features the camera offers up for stunning recordings include Intelligent Auto, which automatically sets the camera to the right settings for the situation, Face Recognition, which optimizes focus and exposure on your subject's faces, and other features like Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, and Pre-Rec. There are many more features that make your recording easier as well; features like Color Night Rec, Focus Assist, composition guidelines... Whatever you're situation, the HS80 has a shooting control to help you capture wonderful memories that will last generations.
It's also worth mentioning that the HS80 features Panasonic's new zoom mic and wind noise canceller. With these two aspects of the camera you'll be able to get high-quality audio without the need for an external microphone or headphones. The zoom mic zooms in on your subject's audio, reducing other sounds to the background. Additionally, the wind noise canceller detects and suppresses wind noise - allowing for clearer audio, even when shooting on a windy day.
When you're ready to share your video the HS80 comes with Panasonic's HD Writer AE 3.0 software. This software helps you edit, share, and archive your footage. It will even help you get your videos up on sites like YouTube and Facebook. Other post-production options include connecting your camcorder to your HDTV via the optional VIERA Link and archiving your footage with an optional DVD burner.
The Zoom Mic function that links with the camera's zoom action has evolved even further. Compared to previous models, the noise-reducing performance is improved by 1/3 (-10dB). It lets you clearly record the sound of your target subject
The Wind Noise Canceller automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise. It lets you capture natural sounds with lifelike ambience even when shooting in windy conditions outdoors or by the sea
Sports, portrait, Low Light (motion image only), Spot Light, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Scenery, Night Scenery, Night Portrait (still image only)
Active mode comes in handy when shooting while walking or playing with your children. The wide correction area corrects even relatively large hand-shake motion. It's especially good for active video shooting
This mode captures faces beautifully. With Soft Skin mode, complexions are automatically enhanced to make faces attractive
This mode is ideal for shooting wide landscapes and sweeping vistas, such as at the ocean or in the mountains. It balances the exposure over the entire frame to prevent brighter parts of the image, such as the sky, from being washed out or having blown highlights
The camcorder automatically uses this mode for scenes with particularly strong contrast, such as when you're shooting a spot lit area on a darkened stage. It captures the well-lit subject perfectly and prevents washed-out areas
In dim lighting, the camcorder automatically switches to a slower shutter speed so that images across the entire frame are bright and easy to see
This function detects subjects who are registered in advance and automatically snaps the shutter to catch the subject's best possible smile. It's great for capturing the smiles of certain people in a group
This function automatically snaps the people within the LCD frame smiles. It gives you shots of an entire group of people smiling, making it great for group shots
Simply touch a subject within the LCD frame. This function will then lock on and start tracking your subject. When the subject smiles, it'll automatically snap the shutter
You can easily zoom in and zoom out by simply touching the LCD with your fingertips. Shoot at any angle of view while watching the screen
Even when shooting movies, you can touch the subject on the screen to instantly focus on it, and easily switch to still-image shooting
You can flip through thumbnail pages, display one of the thumbnail scenes, highlight a scene, and more, with easy, intuitive, fingertip operation
Anti-Shock Shield
Playback image effect mode
Enjoy more impressive highlight playback with natural switching effects
View highlight playback of the images you've taken, together with a variety of fun effects
Enjoy highlight playback with speedy, dynamic effects
Enjoy highlight playback with dramatic effects applied mainly to your subject's faces
The Face Highlight Index selects scenes that have faces in them and displays them in an index format. This handy function lets you quickly find and view scenes that have people in them
The camera automatically selects and displays the most exciting scenes. It determines the level of importance of each scene based on zooming and panning, and whether there are faces. This gives you an easy, convenient way to view all the highlights together
This mode divides each recorded clip into 3-second, 6-second, 12-second, 1-minute and 5-minute intervals, and displays them. This is convenient when you want to find a specific scene within a long clip
Connect your HD camcorder to a VIERA or compatible Blu-ray Disc Player via an HDMI mini cable, and you can control both units in synchronized operation with a single remote control. This kind of simple, easy operation makes it enjoyable to view your recordings
Just slip the SD card from your camcorder into the VIERA Image Viewer card slot on your VIERA TV, and you're ready to view full-HD moving images recorded
You can make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format. Choose the one that matches your playback equipment
To view the disc you just burned, simply connect the HD camcorder to an HDTV via an HDMI mini cable
Also Enjoyable When the Shooting's Done
When the camcorder is connected to a PC, the software automatically starts up. Importing data takes only a few clicks of the mouse
The videos you've recorded are easily uploaded to YouTube or Facebook in their original high quality. HD Writer AE 3.0 lets you share your videos worldwide
Chooses the most exciting scenes and plays them all together, back by music
It's easy to add titles, rearrange scenes, provide transition effects, and edit images in single frame units
Make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1.5 Megapixel 1/5.8" CMOS |
| Lens |
2.38 - 81 mm f/1.8 - 4.0 |
| Zoom |
Optical: 34x Intelligent (Optical): 42x Digital: 2000x |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| System | NTSC |
| Recording Media |
Hard Disk Drive 120GB SD/SDHC, SDXC |
| Recording Time |
Hard Disk Drive 120GB: HA: 15 hours, 50 minutes; HG: 20 hours, 30 minutes; HX: 31 hours, 20 minutes; HE: 51 hours SD 4GB: HA: 30 minutes; HG: 40 minutes; HX: 1 hour; HE: 1 hour, 30 minutes 16GB: HA: 2 hours; HG: 2 hours, 40 minutes; HX: 4 hours, 10 minutes; HE: 6 hours, 40 minutes 32G: HA: 4 hours, 10 minutes; HG: 5 hours, 30 minutes; HX: 8 hours, 20 minutes; HE: 13 hours, 40 minutes 64GB: HA: 8 hours, 30 minutes; HG: 11 hours; HX: 16 hours, 50 minutes; HE: 27 hours, 30 minutes |
| Video Format |
High Definition MPEG AVC/H.264 1920 x 1080i (60 fps) |
| Still Image Resolution |
JPEG: 2.6 Megapixel, 1856 x 1392 JPEG: 2.8 Megapixel, 2064 x 1376 JPEG: 3.0 Megapixel, 2304 x 1296 |
| Audio Format | 2-Channel Stereo |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
| Screen Size | 2.7" |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Lux |
1400 7.0 (1/30 Low Light scene mode) 1 (Color Night Rec) |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Light - Yes Flash - No |
| Tripod Mount | 1/4" |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Inputs | None |
| Outputs |
1x HDMI C (Mini) 1x USB 2.0 1x A/V |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Headphone Jack | No |
| General | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements |
Windows
Mac
|
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.36 x 2.52 x 4.29" / 60 x 64 x 109 mm |
| Weight | 0.58 lb / 265 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 22 customers
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I just received this camera and love the small size. Was able to recently use it at a sporting event and the picture looks great. Just Ned to figure out all the features. Like using the hash marks to film and zoom is smooth. Easy loading of video onto my Mac, which has been a nightmare with my Sony products for video. Like the face recognition features as well. My outdoor video was not as bright as I thought it would be as I was in a very bright setting, but maybe I need to set up something on the camera. Would like a little more battery life as well. So far, I really happy with it. Always happy with B&H products and service as well.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
This is a great little camera. It has so many features; and the most notable at least for us is the image stabilization which works great. The cam is very light and the battery last a long time (enough for 1hr plus of recording). Thanks.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I bought it for everyday use, to record and share special moments. It's the easiest to use gear you might get, with excelent image quality at a very affordable price.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I was looking for a camcorder to convert my 40 year old 8 mm home movies to digital form. This camcorder worked well for this task. The hard drive allowed a lot of recording at one time.
The included software was also useful and a bonus. It includes wizards for specific tasks that make it useable out of the box.
You can turn most of the features of the camcorder on and off making the unit really flexible.
Since this is the only camcorder that I have ever used, I cannot say much about video quality other than it looks good to me.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
My first camcorder,so I'm a beginner.Love the size and feel.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I use my camcorder primarily to film workshops given by and for the Art Cloth Alliance by its members and to create art videos for art shows and galleries.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
HD is awesome I had sd panasonic camera with 3ccd before and after 4 years it was time to upgrade the picture quality is awesome and the pic stabilizer really makes a difference I plan to burn my movies to bluray to really get a good use of the camera I also bought an extra battery and a mini hdmi cable to view movies on tv what I like is the touch screen. you can pick by recording scene and view in tv as opposed to rewind tapes in the past I am glad i bought it.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
At the first glance, this camcorder looks like a cheap one. However, it's very powerful. First of all, it is very light, good to hold and record vedios for a long time. What surprised me the most was the lens. It has a 42x zoom lens, which is awesome. After all, a very good camcorder to have, and worth the money.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
Very good HD quality for a single CCD. The manual is large but the instructions for some settings need more explanation, e.g. zoom mic setting can only be accessed from manual mode and the explanations of the HD video modes could easily be misconstrued causing the user to think they were using best quality when in fact they were set to poorest. This may be the cause for some reviews critical of HD output. The strap is rather thin and difficult to adjust for a comfortable tension on the hand while using the zoom button which is probably a compromise needed to keep the camera compact. Given my short time with the product I may be overly critical but I can say that bang for the buck is fantastic. Awesome zoom, very good sound, great HD (when using the HA setting) and some very slick features like facial recognition, smile detection (which will snap a still of recognised faces during filming) and surprisingly good still quality for such a low megapixel rating make this a pretty good "only camera" with light weight and small size. Highly recommended
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
For the price this is a great HD camcorder.It is very small and light,great for filming long periods of time.Very easy to use,all functions can be used just by touching the screen.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
for recording moments of our son.
mostly family moments, videos, pictures
easy to use
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
good for pics and video.
clear video,zoom awsome.
have not found anything i don't like so far.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I just got this camcorder so I haven't used it a lot, but so far so good. I'll be using it for birthday parties, school programs, etc. I like the size of the camera, ease of use, the light on it, & the clarity of the picture. I think it's going to do everything I need it to do and more.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
Have found it easy to use. Need to get accustomed to the lighting conditions when filming.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
Camcorder has been great so far. Used it on a tripod to record lacrosse games. Playback is great and recording to hard drive or memory card seems to work like expected. Auto focus works well. Can zoom in quickly or cover most of the side of the field. Wide angle is great.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I am using this for general family functions and just excellent, it serve it's purpose.
Very handy and touch screen control are just great.
Very intuitive...only thing I miss is optical eyepiece.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I'm use my new camcorder for my family.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
I only use for capturing moments @ home, travel, wedding, celebrations Etc..
Its just good for people like me who are just new to Video Photography. Makes our job simple to use, clear instructions.
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
We use this to film our childrens' activities and it works great for football, band, gymnastics, and running around the house!
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Comments about Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder:
•The HD. Quality its. EXELENT!
•the ZOOM. its perfec to take sobjets with long distance
• The compac size. its incredible. (its smaller then my hand)
• The video Quality looks. Amazing on my HD TV!
I LOVE THIS CAMCORDER.....
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