Panasonic HDC-SD100, HDC-HS100 User Manual

Panasonic Introduces the World’s First Full HD
Camcorders with 3MOS

Panasonic introduces two new Full High Definition camcorders, the HDC-SD100
and HDC-HS100, that use the advanced AVCHD video format to record 1920 x
1080 images in breathtaking full-HD quality.

With manual functions enabling users to capture dramatic, artistic images these models also incorporate in High

Definition the world's first 3MOS system, newly developed by Panasonic based on 3CCD technology, renowned for

its excellent colour reproduction. With expanded light-receiving areas, MOS sensors significantly improve image

quality even in low lighting. The HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 deliver an AAA (triple A) performance in all aspects

of image quality, functions, and operating ease.

Designed to be resistant to a certain level of impact, the

HDC-SD100 records onto SD and SDHC memory card

and in addition to its compact size, this makes it ideal for

casual, walk-about shooting (a 32-GB SDHC Memory

Card enables around 12 hours of recorded video clips to

be stored.) Thanks to Panasonic’s HD link capabilities,

users can eject the SD Memory Card from both new

models and slip it into the card slot on a Panasonic

Freesat TV (TH-42/46/50 PZ81) or a BD50 or BD30

Blu-ray DiscTM Player*, and enjoy instant large-screen viewing of the stunning HD images.

* For AVCHD format camcorders, as of 18 June 2008

The HDC-HS100 is a hybrid model that enables recording

HD images onto either an SD or SDHC Memory Card or

the built-in 60-GB hard disk. With a 32-GB SDHC Memory

Card enables around 12 hours of recorded video clips to

be stored, and the 60-GB hard disk can store around 23

hours (both in HE mode). This gives the HDC-HS100 a

total capacity of around 35 hours of Full-HD recording

time. Users also have the ability to copy recorded video

images from the SD Memory Card to the hard disk, or

vice versa, with easy operation allowing flexibility to record to whichever media best suited for the consumer.

Panasonic’s VW-BN1 DVD Burner (optional) can be used to burn images onto DVD’s in original AVCHD format with

no need to use a PC. The discs can then be easily played with the VW-BN1 and sent via the HCD-SD100 or

HDC-HS100 to a large-screen TV for viewing in HD without use of a Blu-ray DiscTM player or similar device.

The HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 both come packaged with HD Writer 2.6 software for Windows, and also support

iMovie '08 for Apple Macintosh, allowing users to edit the footage they capture. The HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100

will be available from August 2008 at the Panasonic eShop.

New 3MOS Sensor

The HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 feature new 3MOS

sensor. Developed by Panasonic, light passing through

the lens is split into its three primary colour components

(red, green and blue), and the signal from each is

processed by one of the three MOS circuits. Compared

with a conventional 1MOS, Panasonic's new 3MOS

system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, in

greater detail with richer gradation.

The MOS sensor’s light-receiving area is about double* that of a CCD sensor ensuring sensitivity is higher. This

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high-precision imaging element is the first in the world** to shoot in lighting as low as 2 lux enabling both new

models to capture exceptionally clear, bright images.

* Compared with the HDC-SD9/HDC-HS9

** For HD camcorders as of 18 June 2008, shooting in Low Light mode at a shutter speed of 1/25

New Leica Dicomar Lens

The Leica Dicomar* lens system used in the HDC-SD100

and HDC-HS100 comprises 12 lenses in 9 groups,

including aspherical lenses to improve resolution and

contrast and an LD (low-dispersion) lens to prevent colour

bleeding. A multi-coating process is applied to all lens

elements to minimise chromatic aberration, to ensure

images are crisper, clearer, and free of flare and ghosting.

The use of a highly-refractive lens also made it possible

to have both 12x zoom power and a compact body.

*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH, and Dicomar is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

Enhanced HD Crystal Engine

To maximise the capabilities of the new HD-level 3MOS sensor featured in the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100,

Panasonic has enhanced its renowned Crystal Engine image processor, resulting in the HD Crystal Engine. A noise

reduction circuit combines with the Intelligent Contrast Control circuit to boost image quality while reducing power

consumption. The dynamic range is also approximately twice that in previous Panasonic models, which helps

prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows and allowing for more natural colour expression. Offering both higher

image quality and longer battery life, the HD Crystal Engine takes camcorder performance to new heights.

Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)

With Panasonic's Advanced O.I.S., gyrosensors detect

hand-shake and a lens unit shifts to correctly align the

optical axis, and produce sharp, blur-free images. This

happens at a remarkable rate of 4,000 times per second.

Now the compensation area has been almost tripled

compared with previous systems*, so even very

significant hand-shake is corrected. Users can capture

clear, sharp images even when shooting long-distance

zoom shots, where hand-shake is typically a big concern and there is no loss of quality as images are captured in

full original beauty.

* Compared with the HDC-SD9/HDC-HS9

New Manual Ring

The Manual Ring is provided for users who want more

creative freedom in their image production. With these

new models users can enjoy precise, responsive fingertip

control over five key settings -- zoom, focus, iris, shutter

speed, and white balance.

New On-Screen Assist

On-Screen Assist function displays a guide for exposure

compensation. There are different assist guides - Zebra Pattern, Brightness Level, and Histogram. These enable the

user to determine the brightness level, and make the adjustments desired with precision not achievable by simply

looking at the image on the LCD.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

The world's first iA function* is offered on the HDC-SD100

and HDC-HS100 models automatically activating several

convenient shooting functions at once. These include

Advanced O.I.S., which compensates for hand-shake to

eliminate blurring; Face Detection, which adjusts the

exposure so faces are captured perfectly; and Intelligent

Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast.

Also included is the Intelligent Scene Selector, which

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