The Panasonic TM900, HS900, SD900 and SD800 are new flagship high-definition camcorders. They all feature an Advanced 3MOS System for enhanced colour reproduction, resolution and gradation, the ability to shoot home movies in 3D, and full-HD 1920 x 1080, 50 progressive recording at a 28-Mbps bit rate. Elegantly finished in black, the Panasonic TM900, HS900, SD900 and SD800 will all be available from February 2011.

Panasonic UK Press Release

Introducing Panasonic’s newest HD Camcorder - The 900 & 800 Series

Panasonic’s newest HD Camcorder uses an Advanced 3MOS System for the best Optimal Image Quality for Recording both Superb 2D and 3D(1) Images

Panasonic HD Camcorder - HDC-TM900
Panasonic’s new flagship high-definition camcorders deliver optimal image quality featuring new and evolved Crystal Engine PRO for better light gathering efficiency and low-noise recording even in dim lighting. The new HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900, HDC-SD900 and HDC-SD800 all feature an Advanced 3MOS System delivering the best image quality in Panasonic’s long history.

In all the new models, Panasonic, the UK’s leading brand in High Definition Camcorder, has successfully enhanced colour reproduction, resolution and gradation. The optical image stabilisation system has also been further improved to produce extremely clear, crisp images that exceed even full-HD, 1920 x 1080-pixel images in quality in both wide-angle and zoom shots.

An exciting addition to 2011’s Flagship line up is the ability to shoot home movies in 3D, with an optional 3D Conversion Lens, VW-CLT1. Simply attach the lens to the barrel of any one of the HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900, HDC-SD900 and HDC-SD800 to create powerful, true-to-life 3D images like those created by Panasonic 3D recording technologies in Hollywood movies. Each of the new models allow users to easily create their own 3D movies, something that only professional image producers were previously able to do. The AVCHD format enables playback using a Panasonic’s 3D VIERA TV and Blu-ray DiscTM player/recorder, as well as easy editing and saving of edited results to a DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

Offering unparalleled picture quality, the new HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900, HDC-SD900 and HDC-SD800 all offer full-HD 1920 x 1080, 50 progressive recording at a 28-Mbps bit rate, which allows the camcorders to conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlaced) recording to produce the ultimate in image quality. It minimises afterimages and flickering caused by subject motion, and renders crisp, detailed images allowing you to enjoy the superbly smooth images and intricate details of 1080/50p recording.

To maximise such high video quality, Panasonic set out to develop the ideal camera system. The result is the advanced 3MOS System, which combines the Leica Dicomar Lens, the 3MOS Sensor and Crystal Engine PRO.

The F1.5 Leica Dicomar Lens on all four new models is manufactured using measuring instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG. This lens not only suppresses ghosts and flaring, but also minimises the distortion and degradation of contrast and resolution that tend to occur at the lens periphery. Thanks to a large 46-mm diameter, the F1.5 lens offer brighter images than previous lenses. In addition, its 35mm wide-angle capability makes it ideal for many different shooting situations, such as self-portraits and group photos indoors and landscape shots outdoors.

An advanced image sensor system, the 3MOS Sensor, separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colours—red, green and blue—and processes each colour independently. As a result, it offers beautiful images with significantly better colour quality, detail and gradation than conventional sensor systems.

Each of the camcorders also feature the evolved Crystal Engine PRO, which instantly processes the huge amount of data that goes into full-HD quality for extremely clear, crisp motion images that exceed even full-HD 1920 x 1080-pixel images. The evolved Crystal Engine PRO increases sensitivity and reduces low-frequency noise to achieve bright images with minimal noise when shooting under low light conditions. It has reduced the noise level by approximately 45% as compared to conventional models(2). This maximizes the 3MOS features of excellent colour reproduction, high resolution, and rich gradation, and lets the user capture vividly coloured images in either bright or darkly lit places.

The New HYBRID O.I.S. is a hybrid optical and electrical image stabilisation system. In addition to the blurring caused by vertical or horizontal wrist movements, these camcorders can also detect the subtle blurring that occurs when the entire arm moves vertically or horizontally. The detected blurring is corrected using a lens in the optical system and a sensor in the electrical system. In electrical image stabilisation, an area of the sensor that remains unused during zooming is used. This makes it possible to suppress image degradation. Powerful correction is also achieved during high-powered zooming, which allows users to capture beautiful images even when shooting on the move or while zooming, where blurring from hand-shake is common.

Belying their slim and compact size, Panasonic’s top of the range 900 Series semi professional models are equipped with a 12 x optical zoom which includes a multitude of technical features. With a manual focus ring, Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), Hot Shoe and mic terminal – these camcorders are fully equipped to handle your shooting needs.

The HDC-TM900, HS900, SD900 feature not only 3.5-inch LCDs, the largest ever mounted on a camcorder, but also new touch-operation functions. The large-screen LCD with touch operation offers easier operation than previous models. In addition to the single-handed variable speed zooming of previous models, the new “Touch Zoom” function provides stable zooming while recording. The user simply touches an indication on the LCD to activate slow zooming, thus enabling smooth, optimal adjustment of the angle of view. Another touch-operation function is the “Touch Shutter,” which automatically focuses and takes a still picture when the user touches the subject on the screen(3). The user can also change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. This kind of advanced touch operation provides much smoother shooting and playback than in previous models.

Offering superior image quality – in true 1080p High Definition recording – HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900, HDC-SD900 and HDC-SD800 deliver beautifully smooth and detailed images. Thanks to the 3MOS sensor, colours stay beautiful even in underlit scenes. Elegantly finished in black, the new models will be available from February 2011.

1 The optional VW-CLT1 3D Conversion Lens is required for shooting 3D images with a 3D-compatible model (HDC-TM900/HS900/SD900/SD800/SD90).
2 When compared with the HDC-TM700/HS700/SD700.
3 Cannot be used in motion image recording.

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