Panasonic TA20

$249.95

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$249.95

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77 out of 100 View Review (1) , Write your own review

The HM-TA20 is a triple-tough design with waterproofing down to 3 meters for use even in seawater, shock-proofing to withstand a 1.5-meter drop, and a dustproof structure. This tough, compact, easy-to-carry design is ideal for both everyday and highly active use. A dustproof design keeps the HM-TA20 safe even if handled with dirty hands or used in a place with swirling dust. The HM-TA20 is protected against sand too, so you can take it to the beach or sports field with no worries. And it's waterproof, so if the body gets dirty you can simply wash it off with water.

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Description

Full-HD performance in a tough mobile camera
The tough performance of the HM-TA20 stands up to active shooting – anywhere, anytime. You can shoot superior high-definition movies without worrying about drops or breaks and then upload them to your favourite social networking site with a few simple clicks. It’s the perfect companion for bloggers on the move.

Three easy steps for social networking
Shoot your choice of Full HD* movies or still images with your HM-TA20, then take out the USB and plug it into your computer. The embedded software will launch automatically and guide you through uploading the content. You can instantly showcase your masterpiece on your blog, share it with your Facebook friends or create a Youtube sensation. The HM-TA20 offers USB input, SD card slot and mini HDMI input for ultimate connectivity and iFrame Mode for PC and Mac users is a standard feature.

Tough design for active shooting
This compact multimedia star is triple-tough** designed. It is waterproofed down to three metres, able to withstand a 1.5 metre drop and boasts a dustproof body. You can throw the HM-TA20 in your wet beach bag after an exciting day of filming underwater, let it get dirty taking action shots out on a sports field or even take it climbing without worrying about the camera dropping from your hand.

Capture the best images in any light
The camera is equipped with Night View Mode, allowing you to shoot with twice the brightness*** of the previous model. This function automatically detects low-light scenes and lights up the mode selector button on the screen. Just press the button and Night View Mode will deliver clear images with minimal noise, even in a darkened room, nightclub or party.

Intuitive operation makes everything simple
Everything about the HM-TA20’s design centres on intuitive operation. The three-inch touch panel has a simple button layout and is incredibly easy to manage. The camera is easy to hold for vertical shooting while the horizontal position allows for wide, full-screen playback and editing. To make things even easier, the Record button is located below the touch-screen, so you can just pick up your camera and begin filming.

Big features in a tiny camera
The HM-TA20 only weighs 156 grams, yet it still manages to pack in a host of brilliant features. An Electrical Image Stabiliser (EIS) system helps to correct the blurring caused by shaky hands, whether you are shooting while walking or taking self-portraits. A webcam facility turns HM-TA20 into a webcam for Skype calls and the bonus tripod is perfect for webcam use and to hold the camera while shooting. For true-to-the-original sound recording, the HM-TA 20 also has a new “IC Recorder” function for clarity when recording business meetings, lessons or concerts.

*Full HD video with 1920x1080 pixels in Panasonic’s home-use, high definition mobile camera refers to video recordings with 1920 pixels in the horizontal direction, and 1080 pixels in the vertical direction.

**Not shockproof or dustproof under all conditions. Waterproof at maximum 3m.

*** Compared with the HM-TA1.

Specifications

Megapixels	5MP
Sensor Size	1/4"
Optical Zoom	-
Digital Zoom	4x
Internal Memory	-
Video Resolution	Full HD 1080
Image Stabilisation	Electronic
Min Shutter Speed	1/30 sec
Max Shutter Speed	1/4000 sec
Minimum Aperture	-
Video Light	Yes
Built-in Flash	-
Viewfinder	-
Memory Type	SDXC
File Formats	JPEG, MPEG-4
LCD Size	3.0"
Touchscreen	-
Connectivity	USB 2, mini HDMI
Battery Type	Lithium-ion
Charger	-
Dimensions	64.3x112.6x17.7 mm
Skill Level	Beginner
Lifestyle Uses	Family/Pets/Party, Lightweight, Slim & Stylish, Underwater/Beach/Snow
Waterproof	3m

Customer Reviews

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Value for money

Overall

Image quality

Ease of use

Build quality

Battery life

Great buy

Canary, Sydney

This was my first HD video camera, and I was looking for something small enough to fit in my pocket and to bring out whenever the fancy took me. The TA20 fits that bill perfectly. I recently took it with me on a 3 night fishing trip to Darwin, and it was small enough to fit in my pocket, and not so bulky that it was a pain (I forgot to use it on the first night as I forgot it was there!). The shockproof qualities are great as I have clumsy kids, and the ability to use it underwater (including salt water) suits my fishing needs perfectly.
The camera has excellent sound (one of the reasons I chose it, due to a good review in Choice magazine), but be aware that the stereo microphones are on top of the unit and tend to have water in them if you use it underwater in a vertical position - a shake out is required to clear the sound. I was quite nervous the first time I dunked it, but it worked perfectly without issue (apart from the diluted sound noted above).
The view can be hard to see in bright sunlight, and the viewing/recording area is only about 35-45% of the available screen area, but I would guess that is a problem for most ultra-compacts. It does the job admirably, and really suits my outdoor/fishing lifestyle. Great buy.

Pros: Compact, Build quality

Cons: Screen size

Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes