Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Black) Features

Additional Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Black) Information

The S7 is a camcorder you can take just about anywhere, as you would a small digital still camera. The S7 fits nicely in the palm of the hand. This outstanding mobility makes the S7 an ideal choice for business use. Just slip it in a suit pocket or handbag and carry it anywhere.

The power turns on or off as soon as the LCD is opened or closed, and Quick Start recording begins in only 0.6 seconds. This combines with the camera's handy compact size to help catch those sudden and immediate shooting opportunities.

If your TV has an SD card slot and can play MPEG-2 files, just slip your card into the slot and get ready to watch beautiful motion or still images on a large screen.

Panasonic SDR-S7 Highlights

Small enough to fit in a pocket or bag Compact Size and Cool Styling The SDR-S7 is small enough to slip in a pocket or bag. Cool enough to take everywhere you go. This is one stylish camcorder you'll never want to be without.

Easy Shooting at High of Low Angles You can freely adjust the angle of the LCD monitor for comfortable viewing no matter how you're holding the camera. The SUB REC button on the side makes it easy to shoot when you're holding the camera low. The buttons are laid out simply and logically for easy one-hand operation.

High Picture Quality with a 2.7-inch Viewing Screen This model offers the High-Picture-Quality Wide Mode, which produces images that make for beautiful, dramatic viewing on a wide-screen TV. The image is processed on 16:9 area of the CCD. Because the image decoded has the same proportions as your wide-screen TV, there is virtually no picture quality degradation. You get beautiful images and all the excitement and dynamism on either a wide 16:9 screen TV or a conventional 4:3 TV. This model also features a wide 2.7-inch LCD, making it easier to frame shots when you're shooting in 16:9 mode. You can enjoy shooting wide, and viewing wide.

Pure Color Engine The Pure Color Engine converts the CCD output signal from a complementary color signal into an RGB signal at an early stage and extracts the low-frequency luminance component from the RGB signal. This innovative engine also achieves truly superb color reproduction for high-zoomed pictures.

High-quality MPEG 2 Engine Panasonic's MPEG2 engine is a wide-range, high-precision search engine that produces smooth, beautiful motion pictures. Because it precisely records the differences in each frame, it can render fast, complex motions - like those of athletes in the thick of the action - with exceptional precision. The MPEG2 engine also uses Variable Bit Rate technology that Panasonic developed for the high-end DIGA DVD recorder. Giving LP recordings nearly twice the resolution captured with previous Panasonic camcorders, this lets the camcorder record clear, smoothly flowing pictures.

10X Optical Zoom Distant subjects can be enlarged so they appear to be right up close. This allows dynamic shots of both motion and still pictures.

Shooting Functions

Pre-Record Function (Images are Recorded Before you Begin Shooting) This clever new 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 onto the SDHC/SD Memory Card begins. This helps ensure that you won't miss the start of a moment you want to record, such as when an event begins all of a sudden. For example, if you're waiting to snap a shot of a jumping dolphin, you can press the REC button after you've made sure that the dolphin has cleared the surface of the water. The camcorder will record the entire scene, from the instant of the dolphin's jump until it disappears again into the sea.

Power LCD Simply press the Power LCD button and the LCD becomes brighter, making it easier to see outdoors or in other bright locations. Also, a new scanning technology allows the LCD to show diagonal lines more sharply.

Select the Recording Mode to Match your Needs This unit records in VBR. VBR is an abbreviation for Variable Bit Rate. VBR recording automatically varies the bit rate (amount of data in a fixed time) depending on the subject being recorded. This means if a subject with sharp movements is recorded, the recording time is reduced.

One Touch Navigation and Easy Operation The cursor makes the camera much easier to use. You can handle a number of operations quickly and easily. Easy to use Design You can do most operations with a single finger. Direct Mode Dial Just rotate the dial with your fingertip to select the icon that corresponds to the mode you want. Simple Cursor Operation Press the center of the cursor to display icons on the screen. Quick Search and Access with Thumbnail View Unlike videotape, you don't need to rewind or fast-forward to search for specific scenes. The camcorder LCD screen displays a list of the recorded scenes for quick and easy searching.

Easy On/Off reduces the time required for operating the camera. When you open the LCD, the power turns on. Shut it and the power turns off.

Quick Start mode helps shoot videos on the spur of the moment. This mode lets you shoot those not-to-be-missed scenes by turning on the power just 0.6 seconds from the time the LCD is opened.

Color Night View gives you smoothly flowing pictures even in dark places, where it's normally difficult to capture good shots.

World Timer Handy for travelers, this function makes it easy to set the camcorder time when you cross time zones and again when you return home. Simply select your destination from the displayed map, and the camcorder is automatically set for that time zone. The time for two different places can be set -- such as home and destination -- and you can switch between the times by simply pressing a button.

Editing and Networking

Storing on a DIGA If you have an MPEG2-compatible DIGA DVD recorder with an internal hard disk and SDHC/SD memory card slot, saving your images on the hard disk is as easy as inserting an SDHC/SD memory card into the slot. This saves space you'd otherwise need for storing the recording media, and makes playback easier. And once the data is on the hard disk, it's easy to copy it to a DVD disc.

Easy DVD Copying Connect the S7 directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. You can then copy recordings from the SDHC/SD Memory Card to a DVD disc with easy operation. The disc you make can be played on DVD players, so playback is easy too. Copy from your memory card to DVD Includes USB 2.0 and Editing Software
USB 2.0 compatibility lets you upload a motion picture data to a PC at high speed over a single USB cable.

You never have to finalize an SDHC or SD Memory Card, so you can transfer data to a PC right after you shoot. Just slip the card into the slot on the PC, and you're ready to upload and edit. The camera comes with MotionSD STUDIO software that lets you add music and words during editing or copy your recordings onto a DVD disc.

Optional Accessories and Products

Panasonic DIGA DMR-EZ475VK - DVD recorder/ VCR combo - black Panasonic 16GB Memory Card Panasonic VW-BN1 DVD Burner

What Customers Say About Panasonic SDR-S7 Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Black):

So buy a couple of extra batteries (good news at least the batteries are inexpensive). To be fair I tried all 3 rec modes and even in the best day-lit scenes the mpeg-2 engine can't handle a straight line border with 2 different colors (the edge of a table against a different color floor). I've owned this camera for a few months and the video quality is not as great as digital-8 or mini-dv. The short recording time on a fully charged battery I've observed is consistent with all previous reviews.So why buy this video camera - easy easy easy simple menu to navigate for set up, small and light - this is the video camera you would bring to an amusement park and you could have in your hand on a roller coaster or tape the kids at the park, being active anywhere out and about. I don't understand why Panasonic couldn't engineer the camera to fit a slightly thicker battery to accomodate 2 hour recording, or at least a full hour (there's certainly room inside the body of the video camera). As it is I only get 40-45 min on a battery. This is what you wish you had in your hand while using a digital still camera and wanted to record better video. This is NOT the video camera for special events like weddings where things like gradual shading and very fine detail is important - I would stick with mini-dv or an HDD video camera or step up to HD if using flash memory SD, MS, CF etc.I use a Windows based PC and first I just copy the contents of the card to my hard drive, simply rename the recorded files from.MOD to.MPG and any off-the-shelf media editing software that records to DVD will work: Nero, Roxio, even Windows Movie Maker.

I examined the file information for a video that I produced in 16:9 (widescreen) mode, and was surprised at a few things. Also, in this mode, everything you see is a mirror of the image being recorded. If you record a video in 16:9 format and run the raw.MOD video file directly in a program like MS Media Player, you will note that your videos are compressed (in width) to fit the 704x480 resolution (faces look narrow, circles look oval, etc). With current prices of 4GB SD cards, this is not bad. Remember, these are MY ratings based on my need.Pros1. It is possible some parts are Chinese, but I like knowing that the unit comes from somewhere with more experience producing quality electronics.7.

3. Videos can be created in either letterbox (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.8. (Impact: Medium) Price (why I bought the camera). I should mention that I would NOT purchase this camera (for its quality and features) for more than this amount.6. I received this unit yesterday afternoon, and started playing with it immediately. I picked up the camera on sell for $140. (Impact: Low) The buttons on the side of the camera are relatively small.

Interestingly, the unit organizes the video files into separate folders (one for each day), although I saw nothing on the unit menu playback that showed the unit uses this information.5. The camera has a built-in cover to protect the lens and easy to use.9. (Impact: High) The features provided are surprisingly numerous for the price.2. 3. It is sold as having "DVD Quality Recording" capability (there is even a label on mine on the side of the camera as a testament to this), which is not the case once you view your first video. Transforming the raw 704x480 into either 16:9 or 4:3 formats means you will have to do some video editing. If you have big hands or fingers, you might find it difficult to work your way through the menus. (Impact: Medium) The battery/SD card slots are accessed through a door on the bottom of the camera.

I have included my own personal rating (impact) for each one. (Impact: Medium) The unit is made in Japan. Besides the long time to charge the battery, you should be aware that the battery will not charge while the unit is turned on. I find this excessively restrictive.5. Unfortunately, I am using the unit on a tripod, which means the tripod connection adaptor, screwed on to the bottom of the unit as well, prevents easy access to the SD card (meaning I can't easily swap out memory cards while recording).6. The screen/viewer (monitor) is surprising good (brightness, clarity, clear of defect spots) for the price. This means you may need multiple batteries if you're planning an all-day trip or event.8. You can get the features to return (and the image to NOT be in the awkward mirrored mode) by pushing the monitor back against the camera with the monitor screen facing out.

(Impact: Medium) While every feature setting can be viewed in the LCD monitor, it took me some time to realize that these features (or ANY menu displays) will NOT appear if the monitor is in "self-portrait" mode (where the screen is flipped out and turned 180 degrees). I had no problems getting my Windows XP Dell computer to recognize the unit, which added the camera as a removable disk. (Impact: Medium) Video files are saved as ".MOD" file extensions, although the file seems to comply with the MPEG-2 format. (Impact: High) Sound quality is better than my previous unit, and seems quite sensitive to sound.

I have already resolved to ensuring I keep the camera plugged between even intermittent uses. I found no explanation for why it was designed this way, but I personally find this odd.4. 7. (Impact: High) Be aware that while Panasonic states that the camera will record in 16:9 and 4:3 formats, it is more accurate to state that the camera alters or manipulates the lens to produce the videos. (Impact: Medium) Feature settings on the camera are split into "Basic" and "Advanced" but as yet, I cannot discern the logic in how features were assigned. This might seem an odd "pro" to some but I have exceptional bad experience with electronics made in China, and personally steer clear of such items now. The stretching/crushing for the 4:3 format is not as severe, so recordings in this format will produce a video that is of slightly better quality than that of the widescreen format (just not in wide-screen).

Note that with 40-70 minutes of battery life, it doesn't make much sense going to a larger memory card unless you have multiple batteries.4. (Impact: Low) The layout of the manual does not make it easy to find specific features.10. Here are my first impressions of the camera.Overall Impressions:If you have a tight budget, and are looking for a unit that uses standard memory cards for recording (as opposed to a hard drive), produces REASONABLE quality digital video and audio, and has the standard set of features, you'll like this camera. (Impact: High) The USB connection provides easy transfer of files to a PC or Mac. You will need to use a video editing program like the MotionSD STUDIO software (provided with the camera) to get it into the proper format. (Impact: Medium) You have to plug the AC adaptor into the unit before you can connect the camera to a PC or to your TV for transferring or watching videos. You MUST turn it off to charge the battery.2. (Impact: High) The battery is a clear con.

I had no problems getting my computer to recognize this format. We'll see if it stays that way.Cons:1. The unit records at 48K Hz in 256Kbps AC-3 stereo format (through a single opening on the front of the unit), and offers several selectable special audio recording features (wind reduction and a zoom feature which increases or decreases sounds/noise not directly in front of the camera while zooming). This could take some time getting used to if you are moving the camera while having it trained on you as well as images in the background. If you are okay with a 640x480 resolution image, then you'll be okay with this camera; otherwise, save yourself the trouble if you want REAL DVD quality.Now, here are some specific pros and cons I have noted so far about the camera.

If you know how and don't mind the hassle, then you're okay. According to the manual, it takes 2 hr 15 min to fully charge the battery, which lasts from 40-70 minutes. This means the videos must be "stretched" horizontally to approximately 853 pixels wide to fit the 16:9 format (or crushed vertically to about 396 pixels, meaning loss of data). I also examined files in 4:3 video resolution mode and found they ALSO are in 704x480 resolution (though the specs state the effective pixels is 340K). It is compact (which some might think is not good), light-weight and easy to use.The biggest drawback is not so much with the camera, but with the marketing.

(Impact: Low) No SD memory card comes with the unit (so be sure to purchase your own). Some I would think are Basic are under Advanced and vice-versa. With a 21% stretching or crushing, this ultimately affects either video quality or size (which I noted when I played the video back in true 16:9 format). Also, the actual video resolution was 704x480 (330K), though the specs in the manual state the effective pixels are 300K in this format.

If you do the math, you will see 704x480 is NOT a 16:9 ratio (it is 22:15). (Impact: High) A 4GB SD memory card can record 50 minutes of XP video and audio (the highest quality available on the camera). However, you should verify you can work with this file type, or be aware that you will need the included software to successfully transfer the files into a.MPG (mpeg) file format.9. This means it takes at least twice as long to charge as it takes to discharge.

This requires a technical explanation. (Impact: Medium) I have not looked for another battery that would provide a longer life for recording (40 minutes is really not much), but my assumption is that since the battery fits into a slot on the bottom of the unit, it might be hard for Panasonic to produce a more powerful battery that fits here. The good thing is that you are not likely to do this very often.11.

I haven't used the Windows software so I can't comment on it. I bought the SDR-S7 to use as a compact, always-with-me tool for recording video blog entries. The Panasonic has lived up to that task very well. That has worked 100% of the time for me and I've been able to import with no problems. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this camera. It produces good quality video for a consumer camcorder of this type, it's incredibly compact, has optical zoom and a useful array of manual controls, and it uses standard SD cards instead of some weird proprietary format.

If you need lighting you can buy a light bar that will screw into the tripod mount, that's probably your best bet. I wanted something compact that shot good quality video (not HD, just good SD). The only downside to this camera is a result of the size - the battery life is limited to a little over an hour, and there is no cold shoe, microphone input, or auxillary lighting. The built-in microphone records in high-quality stereo, it does pick up some environmental noise but there's not much you can do about that on any device at this price level.I use a Mac, and I've had no problem importing the video files into iMovie for editing. The trick is to have iMovie '08 or '09 and to plug in the camera or card reader *after* you start iMovie. If you need an external mic then you won't find that option on *any* camera at this price level.

Pros:small sizegood quality videouses standard SD cardsreplaceable batteryoptical zoomCons:no mic inputrelatively short battery lifeno on-board light

I bought this camera on sale a few weeks ago and have used it quite a bit. The standard 4:3 aspect ratio is done using the 640 x 480 pixel resolution. However, the max resolution of the CCD is 704 x 480 which is not true 16:9 since that would be more like 843 x 480. The small size is a true plus. The sound quality with the mic is really pretty good. The included software is ok but one has to play with the settings a bit to get the optimum quality output. It's very easy to use and for the money, is really pretty good. But the specs say the camera will also shoot widescreen 16:9 and it looks like it does.

I've uploaded some files to YouTube and they look reasonably good. The 16:9 setting is a bit strange. So I have no idea how this does 16:9 with only 704 x 480 pixels. All-in-all, this is a good little video camera for the money.

THis is a very affordable item which serves my basic needs for capturing home footage.