Panasonic HDC-HS80 Camcorder

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.