Panasonic TM900 Daily Deal
For DSLR shooters, sometimes you just want a simple solution to shooting video. Maybe a good ‘B’ camera. Above is a nice example from Vimeo member Roger Shealy of the performance the TM900 camcorder offers. Replacing the TM700 (which was a great camera), the new Panasonic TM900 is a 3MOS sensor with Leica Dicomar lens, and offers 20x Image Stabilized Zoom. The TM900 also provides smooth 60fps at a full 1080p. If you want to record high quality HD video without the pitfalls of DSLRs, this is a great little cam. There’s a built in 32GB hard drive, but can be expanded via SDHC media. It has a 3.5mm microphone input so you can use your Rode VideoMic Pro and record directly. It can also be upgraded with the Panasonic 3D Lens. Today Amazon listed it on their deals page knocking off a good $189 dollars (Click here).
Panasonic TM900K 3 MOS with 32GB Internal Flash Memory (Black)
Not a really accurate comparison in my opinion. I use a 7d with a 50mm 1.8 all the time and get ultra sharp shots for the dollar. This simply looks like he wasn’t focused properly.
I think Ryan Conley from Film Riot put it best but in terms of an iphone vs a dslr (but I think is still applicable in this case). You can’t make an iPhone look as good as a DSLR but can certainly make a DSLR look as bad as an iPhone.
Just my opinion though.
I owna TM700 and a GH2. THe 700/900 is a great cam, and several folks I know through vimeo use them as B Cams. The 700 was my primary video cam for my trip to the Southwest in 2010, and I got some spectacular shots in 1080 60P mode. My biggest quibble is that it only has a 35mm EFL on the wide end.