The Panasonic HC-V500E HD Camcorder (PAL) is capable of shooting 1920 x 1080/50p high-definition video using the AVCHD format. It's also capable of shooting digital still JPEG images in a range of resolutions and megapixels. You can record your footage to the camcorder's SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot, which can support up to 64GB memory cards. The V500E features a convenient 3" (7.6 cm) LCD touch screen display with intuitive touch control features for recording and playback. It also features a mini HDMI output for playing back footage in Full HD on your compatible HDTV.
The V500E has a high sensitivity MOS image sensor, progressive recording ability and a lengthy list of shot-enhancing features. This list includes Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.), a 50x Intelligent Zoom and 32.4mm wide-angle Panasonic lens. It's also equipped with O.I.S. Lock, still picture recording at 3.0 megapixels, a stereo zoom mic, Tele-Macro focusing and iA (Intelligent Auto). With recording features like this, you'll be able to produce beautiful HD images/videos with incredible color, detail and the flowing beauty only progressive recordings can deliver.
Progressive recording, as opposed to interlaced, reproduce the entirety of an image both across, up and down. This yields vibrant, true-to-life colors and authentic reproduction of each frame. Plus, when you watch your videos on an HDTV, you'll see each shot as it was intended to be seen - in Full HD 1920 x 1080p at 50 frames per second. You may even forget you're watching a home movie. Other highlights include 2D to 3D Conversion, Face Detection, Scene Modes, Advanced Highlight Playback, camera flash, LED video light, auto lens cover, composition guide lines and a variety of indexing functions.
When you're done shooting and ready to edit, the V500E comes with the HD Writer AE 4.0 (Windows only) software for editing, archiving and sharing your footage. It offers help for uploading to social media sites like YouTube and Facebook. Plus, when you're ready, the mini-HDMI port provides an uncompressed, Full HD video and audio link to your HDTV. Using the HDMI interface also ensures that the cameras two-channel AAC or Dolby Digital audio is transferred to your home theater surround sound, giving you high-definition audio to match your HD video. You can even burn your footage to DVD or Blu-ray by purchasing the proper DVD or Blu-ray Disc writer.
Main Features
32.4mm Wide Angle Lens
The 32.4mm wide-angle setting fits more people and more of the background into the frame than conventional models. This is especially handy when you want to take a group photo in a small room. It fits your subjects in even when you shoot from up close, and makes it possible to pick up even small sounds with the mic
Intelligent 50x Zoom
The V500E feature an Intelligent Zoom function that goes all the way up to 50x. When using Intelligent Zoom, Intelligent Resolution technology lets you shoot at high zoom rates while preserving the image resolution. You get sharp images of highly detailed objects - without the blurry edges
Hybrid O.I.S.+
HYBRID O.I.S.+ uses five-axis correction to thoroughly suppress blurring all the way from wide-angle shots to powerful zoom shots. It also achieves superb effects when shooting while walking. This lets you capture crisp and clear images without blurring, in almost every shooting situation
Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) Lock
The image-stabilizing effect is increased by pressing and holding the O.I.S. Lock indication on the LCD screen, which maximizes the blur detection sensitivity. This is great for when you want to zoom at a fixed angle, like for bird watching
Still Picture Recording
Still Picture Recording mode lets you shoot with a maximum resolution of 3.0 megapixels. You can also simultaneously record video and still images at 3.0 megapixels
Crystal Engine PRO
The Crystal Engine PRO instantly processes the huge amount of data that goes into Full-HD images, and further enhances Full-HD quality. It produces smooth, high-resolution zoom shots even when the range exceeds the limit for optical zooming. Crystal Engine PRO clearly delineates even the tiniest details of your subject, with extremely natural beauty. In addition, its Noise Reduction (NR) technology has been completely redesigned. The low-frequency noise that occurs when recording in dim lighting has been further minimized. Plus, Intelligent Resolution Technology ensures sharp and crisp pictures, resulting in bright and beautifully colored motion images
Intelligent Resolution Technology
The Intelligent Resolution Technology incorporated in the Crystal Engine PRO uses edge detection technology to confirm the edges of objects within the image, then emphasizes the edges for optimal clarity. For example, it brings crisp definition to patterns and the outlines of objects like flowers. Conversely, it reduces noise and enhances the natural smoothness of parts without edges, like the sky. The increased sharpness is especially effective for images with delicate details. This highly advanced technology maximizes the beauty of Full-HD images
High-Sensitivity Sensor
The High-Sensitivity Sensor on the V500E has a higher level of sensitivity than conventional
sensors, which makes dark scenes brighter and more beautiful. It's ideal for shooting indoors, at parties and in similar situations, which greatly increases your shooting opportunities
AVCHD Progressive Compliant 1080/50p Recording
Full-HD 1920 x 1080/50p (progressive) recording conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlace) recording. Fast-moving subjects, such as in sports scenes, are smoothly recorded. The progressive recording of the V500E fully complies with the AVCHD Progressive standard
Zoom Mic
The Zoom Mic function that links with the camera's zoom action has evolved even further. The noise-reducing performance is improved from previous models to -13dB. It lets you clearly record the sound of your target subject
Wind Noise Canceller
The Wind Noise Canceller automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise. It lets you capture natural sounds with lifelike ambiance even when shooting in windy conditions outdoors or by the sea
Tele-Macro
You can shoot macro close-ups while maintaining a distance of 19.7" (50 cm) from your subject. In addition, using the zoom at full magnification makes it much easier to capture extreme close-ups without your body or camera casting a shadow on the subject and while keeping the background in soft focus
3" Wide LCD with Intuitive Touch Operation
The easy-to-view, wide 3" (7.6 cm) LCD touch screen display allows intuitive fingertip touch-operation. When shooting, you can use Touch Zoom to instantly zoom in and out and Touch Shutter to automatically focus when shooting still images. For playback, you can change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. Plus, when shooting movies, you can touch the subject on the screen to instantly focus on it or easily switch to still-image shooting
Auto Power LCD
The LCD brightness can be adjusted manually to suit the surroundings. In Auto Mode, the LCD brightness is adjusted automatically in 16 smooth steps depending on the surroundings
Wide Viewing Angle LCD
The LCD has a viewing angle of 170° vertically and 170° horizontally. Images are clear and bright even when viewed from an angle, so everyone can gather around the LCD to enjoy on-the-spot recordings
iA (Intelligent AUTO)
This powerful function senses the shooting conditions and automatically makes the settings and activates functions that will deliver optimal results. iA does the bothersome settings for you and makes it easy to capture beautiful, well-focused images
Scene Mode
Automatically selects the most suitable shutter speed and aperture for the shooting location and situation. Choose from scene modes like Sports, Portrait, Low Light (motion image only), Spot Light, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Scenery, Night Scenery and Night Portrait (still image only)
Color Night Rec/Color Night View
Color Night Rec and Color Night View deliver images with color, even in dim lighting (1 lux)
Approx. 1-Second Quick Power-On
Switch the power on and the HD camcorders are in standby mode in about one second, ready to shoot when you are. When the LCD is closed, the power automatically switches off. This fast start-up and automatic shutdown also help reduce battery consumption
0.6-Second Quick Start
Using Quick Start mode, you simply flip open the LCD and you're ready to shoot in just 0.6 seconds. When Eco mode is also used, the power turns off whenever the camcorder has not been operated for 5 minutes. This reduces wasted power consumption, and enables a longer battery life
iFrame Mode
The V500E lets you record videos in the iFrame. With iFrame, the video in your camera is the same format you'll edit, so it's fast to import and edit with compatible video editing software. iFrame is based on standards, so it works with a number of applications - such as iMovie
iFrame Shooting, Transferring, Editing, Uploading & Sharing
You can shoot in iFrame mode and quickly transfer your data to a PC with no need for data conversion. Plus, data transferred from the camcorder can be directly edited with iMovie (sold separately). You can also easily upload and copy video content, as well as share your movies on YouTube and Facebook
Focus Assist
This function shows which subjects are in-focus by displaying their outlines in blue. You can easily check the focus on LCD when manually focusing, to ensure consistently clear, sharp images
Pre-Rec Function
This smart function records three seconds of images even before you actually begin shooting. The images are held temporarily in the camcorder's internal memory, before recording begins
AGS (Auto Ground-Directional Standby)
The O.I.S. linear motor system can detect when the camera is in an unusual shooting position - such as when you've inadvertently left it on in recording mode. In these cases, the camera automatically stops recording, saving both battery power and media storage space
Composition Guide Lines
With wide LCD monitors, it's hard to keep images perfectly level. The HD 40 Series solves this by displaying horizontal and vertical Composition Guide Lines that make it easy to keep the subject straight and level
LED Video Light
When the camera determines that the ambient lighting is insufficient, it automatically switches the light on. This illuminates your subject for shooting. The LED (light emitting diode) has low power consumption, a long service life, and the safety of a low operating temperature
Auto Lens Cover
When the power is turned on, the lens cover automatically opens. When the power goes off, the lens cover closes. You don't have to keep removing and replacing a lens cap - or worry about losing it
World Time
Setting the time is as easy as selecting a city from the displayed map. The World Time function lets you set the time for two cities; home and destination. You don't have to figure out the time difference at your destination, and it's easy when you get home
2D to 3D Conversion
2D images can be easily transformed into 3D images with the 2D to 3D Conversion function. Simply connect the camcorder to a 3D-compatible TV with an HDMI cable. The 2D to 3D Conversion function then uses the image processing capability of the engine to convert 2D images into 3D. This is an easy and casual way to enjoy the excitement of 3D without using a 3D camcorder
Advanced Highlight Playback
Select the days of the recordings you want to see, and this innovative function automatically selects the most exciting scenes, arranges them and even plays them with music. The V500E features playback effects that include slow motion, still image fading and flash playback. Plus, four image effect modes - natural, pop, dynamic and classical - have also been added. You can set different effects based on the mood of your images and enjoy memorable scenes just the way you remember them when shooting
Face Highlight, Highlight & Time Frame Index
The index function has been enhanced with the addition of a feature that divides each recorded scene into a number of smaller scenes, and displays thumbnails for each. This makes it much easier to find a particular part of a scene without having to fast-forward
HDMI Interface
You can quickly connect your HD camcorder to an HDTV using the HDMI interface. It allows you to use a single cable to playback your videos in high-definition
VIERA Link
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
Playback with SD Card
Just slip the SD card from your camcorder into the SD card slot on your VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc player and you're ready to view your Full-HD moving images
Archiving and Playback
With a USB Host function, you can connect the camcorder directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. Then just press a button and you can copy the moving images you recorded from the SD card or built-in memory to a DVD disc
Easy AVCHD to MPEG-2 Conversion
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
Importing Data
When the camcorder is connected to a PC, the software automatically starts up. Importing data takes only a few clicks of the mouse
Easy YouTube & Facebook Uploading
The videos you've recorded are easily uploaded to YouTube or Facebook in their original high quality format. Plus, HD Writer AE 4.0 lets you share your videos worldwide
Editing
Along with the full editing functions such as adding titles, rearrangement scenes, transition effects, and editing images, a Timeline mode has also been added. This allows a timeline to be displayed with a storyboard, for highly accurate editing while fine-tuning the timing of video images. The playback timing of background music can also be finely adjusted to enable precise insertion
Short Movie Story
The Short Movie Story function makes it possible to transform still images and videos into dramatic short videos. Once the still images or videos are selected and you choose a theme and background music, the software takes over to automatically produce the movie. When completed, you can save the video onto a disc in HD image quality, or easily upload it to YouTube or Facebook
Video Retouch
Video Retouch lets you decorate images with text, graphic painting or stamp pens. By using a game-like approach to add an extra editing touch to finished images, they become even more attractive and enjoyable
Other Features
Effective Pixels (Motion Image): 1.30 - 1.12 megapixels (16:9)
Effective Pixels (Still Image): 1.09 megapixels (3:2), 1.30 - 1.12 megapixels (16:9), 0.97 megapixels (4:3)
35 mm Film Camera Equivalent (Motion Image): 32.4 - 1345 mm (16:9)
35 mm Film Camera Equivalent (Still Image): 37.3 - 1419 mm (3:2), 32.4 - 1345 mm (16:9), 40.7 - 1547 mm (4:3)
38x Optical Zoom, 50x Intelligent Zoom On, 42x Intelligent Zoom Off, 100x Digital Zoom and 2500x (maximum value of zoom magnification)
White Balance: Auto, Indoor1, Indoor2, Sunny, White Set and Cloudy
Shutter Speed (Motion Image 50i/50p): 1/25-1/8000 sec with Auto Slow Shutter on and 1/50-1/8000 sec with Auto Slow Shutter off
Shutter Speed (Still Image): 1/2-1/2000 sec
Auto/Manual Iris
Recording / Playback Modes: 1080/50p (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) / HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) / HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) / HX (9Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) / HE (5Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080) / iFrame (28Mbps / VBR), (960 x 540)
Thumbnail Display: 20 thumbnails/page, 9 thumbnails/page or 1 thumbnail/page
Dolby Digital (2ch) audio recording for 1080/50p, HA, HG, HX and HE recording modes
AAC (2ch) audio recording for iFrame and MP4 recording modes
Simultaneous Recording (16:9): 3MP (2304 x 1296) and 2.1MP (1920 x 1080)
Power Consumption (max): 5.7W (recording) and 7.7W (charging)