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Panasonic VDR-D50 DVD Camcorder with 42x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | 
| Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $349.95
Buy New: $346.98
as of 3/13/2010 19:48 CST details
You Save: $2.97 (1%)
New (2) Used (5) from $106.75
Seller: Hoosier Electronics
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 2231
Color: silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: Yes
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 42
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 75.6
Minimum Focal Length: 1.8
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 5.1 x 2.1 x 3.5
MPN: VDR-D50
Model: VDR-D50
UPC: 037988255825
EAN: 0037988255825
Release Date: January 31, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Capture video direct to DVD | | • | 42x optical zoom | | • | Panasonic's Advanced Mega OIS technology | | • | Widescreen LCD | | • | One-Touch Navigation for easy, intuitive setting and shooting |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The VDR-D50's 42x optical zoom lens has the power you need to take dramatic closeups or get remarkable shots of even distant subjects. But with long-distance zoom shots, even a tiny bit of hand shake has a huge effect on picture quality. That's where Panasonic's Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) comes in, suppressing the effects of hand shake as you shoot. The system uses gyrosensors to detect hand shake, then shifts a lens and adjusts the optical axis to compensate. This all happens a remarkable 4,000 times per second. And because the system is optical, no image quality is lost. Thanks to Advanced O.I.S., the images you capture look incredibly clear, sharp and blur-free even at high zoom levels.For quick and easy operation, this DVD camcorder automatically finds a blank section on the disc when you start shooting. And with multi-format recording, you can choose whichever type of disc works best with your DVD player or recorder. When you finish shooting, just take the disc from the camcorder and slip it right into your DVD player or recorder. There's no need to connect any cables and you can start viewing your memories right away.You can either insert the DVD disc right into your PC or use the included USB cable to connect the camcorder to your PC and transfer the motion-image data that way. Then with the included VideoCam Suite 1.0 software, you can easily put scenes in a different order and delete the ones you don't want. When you're finished with your video production, you can resave the edited version onto an SD memory card or a DVD disc.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Crapped out after six months November 18, 2009
John Oicman (mahoogyville, NJ)
The thing died after six months. Stick to Sony, this was garbage. it does not recognize when a disk is in the camera.
Uses SMALL 8cm/3" DVDs type MINUS, not plus November 14, 2009
Slacker Mom (St. Paul, MN)
Page 22 of the manual states that this unit uses the small sized discs, size 8cm or 3", NOT the regular sized discs. Now, you CAN format/finalize these small discs in such a way that they play on regular DVD players, but
it might confuse people that you need these smaller discs. Also, you need type MINUS, not PLUS. The manual says
you can buy: 8cm/3" DVD-RAM single/double side, 8cm DVD-RW single/double side, 8cm DVD-R single/double side, 8cm DVD-R DL dual layer on single side.
These smaller discs can be hard to find in stores, but readily available on Amazon.
To read the manual yourself, go to the manufacturer's web site.
What you need to know to use editing software September 16, 2009
gardendor (Elmont, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Soon after I bought this camcorder, I bought a new CPU with Vista 64 bit operating system. When I tried to install the VideoCam Suite software that came with the VDR-D50 a window popped up that warned me the software was not supportive of 64 bit and all I could do at that point was cancell the installation. I called support at Panasonic and after 20 minutes of being transferred from one tech to another spoke with a tech who was very helpful. Not only did she walk me through installating the software successfully but she assured me that nothing will probably go wrong. She then proceeded to inform me about using the software since, as she admitted, the owners manual that came with the VDR-D50 was, let's say, less than a well written instruction manual. There are two important things you need to know if you want to use the software to edit your recordings. The 1st is you must use only DVD-RW discs and YOU MUST FORMAT THEM BEFORE YOU START RECORDING WHETHER IT IS A BRAND NEW DISC OR ONE THAT YOU USED BEFORE [and therefore must format to use for a new recording]. The next important thing is that YOU MUST USE THE VR FORMAT. If you format using the VIDEO FORMAT, which is the default formatting mode for this camera, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UPLOAD YOUR RECORDING TO YOUR PC AND USE THE VIDEOCAM SUITE TO EDIT AND CREATE.
So, simply put, you must use DVD-RW discs and as soon as you insert the disc and the camera asks if you want to format the disc, toggle to yes, press the toggle button and then on the next screen switch the formatting from VIDEO FORMAT to VR FORMAT and press the toggle button to accept that format. If you do this you will be able to upload your recordings to your PC using the USB cord that came with the camera and use the VideoCam Suite Software to edit.
Unfortunately, I had already recorded a family reunion. I now have to tell everyone I won't be able to share the video of this event via email. If you do not use DVD-RW discs, format them as soon as you insert them to make a recording and format using VR FORMAT then you will not be able to do anything with your recordings other than to play them back on your computer or DVD player (after finalizing of coarse). Fortunately, I do own a VCR/DVD recorder so I can connect the camcorder to my TV and produce copies of my Family Reunion Video that way. However, I will have to include all the stuff I would have edited out and I will have to use snail mail to share with my family.
Not only did the Tech who helped me specialize in handling complaints for the VDR-D50 specifically, she also told me she was going to start a file on my problem which is submitted to a central problem solving committee of a sort She also supplied me with a case# to use should I need tech support in the future and told me exactly what/who to ask for next time I call so that I would be directed to a VDR-D50 tech immediately. It seems to me that Panasonic is trying very hard to improve thier products and customer service.
As far as the VDR-D50 itself I am very pleased. As others stated before me it produces beautiful videos that are crisp to the eye. The many features on this camera earned the 4 stars I gave it.
Software Problems June 27, 2009
Tyrus B. Foster (Woodlands, TX United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I own a VDR M70 and software is no available for the VDR disc drive that will work with Vista. This requires me to have an old computer with
windows XP to use my camera. I regret that I bought this camera from Akmazon as I could get som satisfaction if i had bought it locally.
 Nice little camcorder May 28, 2009
Mark E. Lorenzi
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm not going to get into all the specifics here but I will just say that for the money I paid I am very satisfied with this camcorder. I have only had it for a short whil but it takes nice videos and works as I would expect it to. I am very satisfied.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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