The Panasonic HDC-HS100 is a fairly compact camcorder that still satisfies the demands of a video enthusiast. While the storage capacity (a 60GB internal hard drive) remains unchanged since the HDC-SD9, most of the internal features have been updated and improved: a small viewfinder, a mic jack, a headphone jack, an accessory shoe, and better handling. The HS100 also cast CCD sensors aside and implemented three CMOS chips to enhance video performance. Most importantly, Panasonic included a multi-function lens ring that can adjust a variety of settings—an addition that should captivate manual control enthusiasts everywhere.

While the HDC-HS9 was designed for consumers looking for a compact, easy-to-use camcorder, the HS100 is built for semi-pros and people who want true control over their footage. The camera doesn't have the video quality of new models from Canon, Sony, or Samsung, but it does have the best manual control interface in the industry. The multi-function lens ring allows you to adjust aperture, shutter speed, gain, focus, white balance, and zoom. No other consumer HD camcorder on the market offers this many options.

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 includes a 24P frame rate setting, but managed to render it completely unpalatable.  You cannot enable the 24P mode without also enabling the "Digital Cinema" mode, which heavily oversaturates color. Even more vexing is the fact that you can enable the accursed Digital Cinema mode without 24P mode, just not the other way around.

Panasonic provided the HDC-HS100 with a solid design overhaul, making a device that feels great in hand. Unfortunately, Panasonic didn't fix its port placement predicament found in the HDC-HS9. The ports still hide in the most difficult-to-reach spot on the entire camcorder—behind the battery. This means you must disconnect the battery and plug in the external power adapter whenever you want to connect the camcorder to a television or computer. The small joystick is also too far out of the way, resting inside the LCD cavity. Placing the button on the back of the camcorder, or at the base of the LCD screen (like Canon does) would have been a far more practical location.

Like most recent HD camcorders, the HDC-HS100 records video in the AVCHD format. With this format becoming the standard, it is readily compatible with most editing software and programs. The only problem is that the footage can be difficult to edit on a computer. The files are large and require powerful hardware to render, edit, and compress. This is something you should be aware of when purchasing any camcorder that records in AVCHD.

Performance (read in-depth lab performance at Camcorderinfo.com)
The Panasonic HDC-HS100 produces a very good image, but it is clearly a step below Canon, Sony, and the Samsung SC-HMX20. The image is sharp and colors are vivid and over-saturated. However, the Panasonic shows too much graininess in areas of high contrast. Even more problems occur in low light. Since Panasonic uses three small sensors instead of one large sensor (like most of the competition), it doesn't have the best low light sensitivity.

While the HDC-HS100 does have a 24P mode, the setting really doesn't do much good. It gives colors an outrageous neon glow and it does little to actually boost low light performance. Unlike Canon's 24P mode, which improves low light sensitivity and gives a brighter overall picture in both moderately low and very low light.

Comparisons (read in-depth lab comparisons at Camcorderinfo.com)
If you're looking for a consumer camcorder with a variety of manual controls and an excellent interface, nothing beats the Panasonic HDC-HS100. The lens ring is one of the best adjustment tools you can have and the array of controls can't be matched by any other manufacturer. However, if you're looking for the best video quality, especially in low light situations, you should check out Canon, Sony, and Samsung.

Both Canon and Sony offer HD camcorders that record to internal hard drives. Canon has the HG20 and HG21 and Sony has the HDR-SR11 and SR12. Like the HDC-HS100, the Canon HG20 and Sony HDR-SR12 both contain 60GB hard drives. The HG21 and HDR-SR12 have gigantic 120GB hard drives. As far as control is concerned, Sony does implement a "Cam Control Dial" which helps make fine tune adjustments—it is not as good as Panasonic's lens ring, nor does it have as many controllable settings, but it does a better job than a joystick (what Canon uses) or directional pad.

There are other options if you want to stick with non-linear media (no tape), but don't like the idea of having a huge hard drive inside your camcorder. The Panasonic HDC-SD100 is identical to the HDC-HS100, but records solely to SD/SDHC cards, reducing the overall size and weight. Canon offers three solid state HD camcorders—the HF100, HF10, and HF11—and Sony offers the HDR-CX12 and the ultra-compact HDR-TG1.