Save Price Panasonic HCV700K 3D Full HD 28mm Wide Angle SD Camcorder (Black)

Like another person here, i narrowed it down to the Canon HF 500 and this, the Panasonic HCV700. There is one reason i chose the Panasonic, it's wide angle lens. You can fit more in to the picture, quite a bit more. My girlfriend and i vlog on You Tube. We often hold the camera and point it at ourselves, or have to shoot in tight spaces. We tried the Canon HF500, and at arm's length you could barely fit your face in to the shot. With the Panasonic HCV700, we can fit much of our upper bodies! So, i think Panasonic is smart to advertise this as a "28mm Wide Angle" camcorder. It's true, and it's really nice.

I haven't tested this camera in all situations yet, but i can say that it's already looking nice in a somewhat dimly lit room. The 1/2" sensor in a camera this small is pretty amazing. If you're trying to decide between this and any of the lower priced models. Think about spending a little bit more on this because i believe the less expensive models come with a 1/5" sensor, and that's actually a huge difference in performance. Built in memory is the first thing i'd pass on. You can get SD cards relatively cheap, and save your money right there for the better sensor.
Canon XH A1, Canon LEGRIA HF R36, Sony DCRSR58EX, Sony HDRPJ10EB, Canon LEGRIA HF R16, Canon LEGRIA HF R26, Aiptek 3D iH3, Sony DCRSR78ES, JVC GR D240EK, Canon LEGRIA HF R36, Panasonic HC V 100, Sony Pro HVR Z1 , Panasonic SD60, JVC Everio GZ E15, Sony HDRXR160EB, Canon LEGRIA FS406, Canon LEGRIA HF R38, Sony NEX VG20EH, Flip Video Ultra, GoPro HD Helmet , Sony TD20 Full HD, Sony HDRTD10ESDI, Samsung Q20, Sony HDRXR155EB, Panasonic V500M, Panasonic WA20, Kodak Zi8 HD, Panasonic TM80, Canon LEGRIA HF R306, Sony MHSFS1B, Panasonic SD900, Sony Handycam CX250, Panasonic SD90, Panasonic X900M, Panasonic V10 HD, Sony Handycam HDRCX730, Panasonic V100, Panasonic WA2, Canon LEGRIA HF M52 , Panasonic HS80
One thing i found to be really curious about this camera, however, is that it does 1080p 60 frames per second. I thought it would be a nice option to have, yet i figured i'd shoot mostly 30fps. Well, it never occurred to me that there ISN'T a 30fps (or 24fps) option on this camera! At 1080p, your only option is 60fps. I don't mind, but i've never seen a camera offer only 60fps. It's a look and feel some people may not like for all situations, and traditionally saved for fast action. Now, you can shoot 30p in half resolution of 960x 540, but of course that's not nearly as nice. There's also plenty of 60i options, but i would never recommend shooting Interlaced.

To me, the wide angle, larger sensor and frame rate are the big topics when talking about this camera. Covered those. Overall, it's an excellent camera. Seems well built, i like how the battery fits and doesn't extend out the back (like some other camcorders). The touch screen is nice and responsive, and there are quite a few nice options. Auto mode works well, yet it has all the proper manual functions if you like. The optional shoe mount (say for an external mic) is really nice. It looks like the hand grip thing is built in, and i wouldn't mind taking it off. No big deal though. I also wouldn't mind more actual buttons rather than always having to use the touch screen. Overall, no complaints, except i'd actually like to shoot at 24 or 30fps in 1080p.
Canon XH A1S 3CCD, Panasonic TM55 Full HD, Panasonic HX WA10, Panasonic HX WA10, Samsung QF20, Sony HDR SR10E, Panasonic HS60, Sanyo Xacti CA100, Canon LEGRIA HF M56, Panasonic HDC TM80EB9K, Sony HVR V1E, Sony Handycam HDR TG7VE, Sanyo Xacti CA100, Panasonic TM900, Canon LEGRIA HF M406, Canon LEGRIA HF R106, Samsung H200, Canon LEGRIA HF M307, Sony Handycam DCR SR15E, Panasonic HDC SD10, JVC GZ EX215BEK, SONY Pro HVR Z5, Canon LEGRIA HF R26, Sanyo VPC WH1EBL, Panasonic SD600, Panasonic SD800, Panasonic SD80, Samsung HMX Q10TP, Canon LEGRIA HF R206, Canon LEGRIA HF R16, Canon LEGRIA HF R26, Canon LEGRIA HV40, Panasonic HS900, Sanyo VPC SH1EXR, Panasonic V100, Samsung H300, Panasonic SDR S50, Canon LEGRIA HF M506

Like i said, what sold me was the wide angle and the 1/2" sensor. Really makes for some nice looking images. I bought this camera for $449 through Amazon! I'm not sure how they managed to offer it for $100 less than everyone else, but for the price you'd be hard pressed to find a better camcorder! Highly recommended. I can't give it 5 stars, because it's somewhat strange that you can't shoot in traditional 1080 30p(and 24p would have been nice too), but it's really my only complaint.

I'd like to give it 4.5, but you can't give half stars! So, it's a 4 from me.

Background:
I havent bought/used a camcorder in 10+ years. However, I do enjoy digital photography as a hobby of mine. For the past 2.5 years I have been shooting with a Pentax K-X DSLR, with either the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens or the Pentax DA 50mm f1.4 prime. The K-x does HD video also so my main comparisons and thoughts will be based on what I had seen the K-x do in terms of video. Decided to ultimately buy a dedicated camcorder b/c the lack of active auto-focus in the K-x was a deal breaker in terms of shooting video of my baby girl

Canon HG20, Panasonic HDC SD20, Canon LEGRIA FS46, Canon LEGRIA HF S200, Canon LEGRIA HF M41, Canon HV20, Sony NEXVG10EBDI, Panasonic HDC SD200, Canon LEGRIA HF M406, Canon DM XM1, Sanyo VPC CA9ER, Panasonic SD40, Panasonic SDR T50, Canon LEGRIA HF R28, Canon HF10, Canon LEGRIA HF S100, Canon HF100, Sony HDRXR200VE, Sony DCRSR77E, JVC GZ E205, Sony HDRCX305EB, Canon LEGRIA HF M306, JVC GZ HM845BEK, Sony HDRCX155EB , Panasonic SD80, Sony HDRXR105E, JVC GZ MG630S, JVC GZ MG330H, Sony HDRCX105ES, JVC Everio GZ HM430, Sony HDR SR12E, Panasonic TM700, Panasonic SD80, Panasonic SD60, Canon LEGRIA HV40, Sony DCR SR32, Sanyo VPC WH1EYL, Canon LEGRIA HF200, JVC GZ MG630A, Samsung R10, Panasonic V500, JVC GZ HD300R, Sanyo VPC CA9EBK, JVC GZ E15, Panasonic SDR S50 , Canon LEGRIA HF M46
Comparisons to other camcorders in price range:
This HC-V700K is Panasonic's mid-range camcorder, its so-to-speak "top of the line consumer" camcorder (next step up being prosumer, Panasonic X900MK). The HC-V700K is for all intents and purposes the 2012 version of the 2011 TM-90K, a very highly rated camcorder in 2011.