Panasonic TM900 (1080p50 Hybrid Image Stabilisition and i20 Zoom Test Video

A

andykwilkinson

Well-known member
Posting this for anyone interested in the new Panasonic TM900. See notes below and on the YouTube page as well as links to other tests (1080p50 in slow motion) that I've been doing. Hope this is useful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh7dS8bsL-I

Testing how good the Hybrid Image Stablisation and 20x Intelligent Zoom is on the new Panasonic TM900. All shots were taken at 1080p50 (28Mbps) during a quick walk round Ely yesterday lunchtime.

Shots were deliberately mostly static rather than panning shots and, obviously for this test video, without a tripod - as the aim is to see just how effective (or not) this latest Panasonic TM900 stablisation system is.

Camera settings mostly as shipped except I adjusted down Sharpness to -1 and Colour to -1. [EDIT: I've since learnt that this may only affect the picture when in Manual mode]. The 20x iZoom shots are labelled and there is one shot of the sundial at 12x (limit of the TM900 Optical Zoom, again labelled). Note that the 30x and 40x Digital Zoom function was not used (as all it will do is degrade the image - but it's there if you really want it!). All shots were also taken in iAuto mode (yeah...I know!) but, again, I wanted to see where the camera might under/over-expose, loose focus etc.

On the whole it did a pretty good job I think. Note that this camera has excellent manual controls (manual focus ring, peaking, zebras for exposure setting etc.) which I would otherwise typically use - along with a tripod of course ;-)

Then, it was a VERY quick/basic edit in Vegas 9E last night in a 1080p25 timeline (each media clip with an Undersampling Rate of 0.5) and rendered out to a 1080p25 file (1.1GB) for web uploading overnight. Music is a royalty free/copyright free purchase from AKM Music (Soundscapes 3 CD).

By the way, there was a glitch in the render at 1.55-1.57 that's not on the original media clip - no matter for this quick test. No image adjustment or colour grading at all. WYSIWYG out of the camera.

See my other TM900 test videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqTaPtIG5g4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDHc-NvpyEQ
 
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And here is an extreme low light TM900 test clip I've just put up on Vimeo. For some reason their 720p HD version is not yet available to view but the lower res one is. Anyway, the 59 second raw 1920x1080p50 .mts should be available to download for 1 week from today but note its 174MB

http://vimeo.com/20962097
 
OK, well it seems Vimeo's encoders assumed my TM900 Extreme Low Light Test video clip was not worth encoding to their version of 720p so I put it up on YouTube this morning and it's now available in 1080p (albeit after it's been through YouTubes encoding engine - but hey at least you can see it in 1080p on the web now), link below. Note that the original footage looks a lot cleaner/nicer - and that's an understatement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DJO1Q0RVBw

Remember, you can still download the original 1080p50 clip (from Vimeo) until the end of next week and decide for yourself what it looks like.
 
Here are links to two videos - not "tests" - taken with the TM900, showing it's performance outdoors under harsh conditions:




Both videos are downloadable to see the real quality. The first also demonstrates the audio qualities - it's a parade!

These are 108060p videos, no transcoding.
 
The objective slashcam review is at:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=www%2Eslashcam%2Ede%2Fartikel%2FTest%2FPanasonic%2DHDC%2DTM900%2D%2Dbauaehnlich%2DHDC%2DSD909%2Dund%2DHDC%2DHS900%2D%2Ehtml&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&sl=de&tl=en

English translation not too great. The advantage of this site is that you can compare the objective performance (resolution charts, frame grabs) across camcorders readily.

The conclusion is the TM900 and TM700 are still the sharpest camcorders, with least artifacting. Not the low-light leaders.
 
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TM900 video with sports action

TM900 video with sports action

Here is one more video, with sports action. Some zooming and panning, as is relevant for sports. Also, Intelligent Zoom is used, so that some shots are 700mm equivalent. Harsh midday sun: -1 exposure. ND filter, 1/60th shutter, 108060p:

 
This video displays the prowess of the TM900 in low light and very bright light. Use in low light - subterranean NYC (subway, tunnels beneath Grand Central, Grand Central Terminal itself, which is very dim). Fixed shutter 1/60th, manual audio, awb, manual video (iris and shutter) except below ground. Manual exposure was necessary in bright light to avoid overexposure.

Earth movers, flowers, camermen, Chinese violin, condiments, trains.



The original, non transcoded file can be downloaded.
 
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TM900 & Steadicam Merlin - Best Settings (So Far)

TM900 & Steadicam Merlin - Best Settings (So Far)

Here are some much improved settings for flying a TM900 on a Steadicam Merlin. Details at the end of the video and in the notes on the YouTube page linked below. It's still very light/not quite as smooth compared to flying my Canon 7D on the Merlin but I hope that'll improve with practice (I've been flying the 7D for a year now). At least with the TM900 you can fly for a very long time without ANY arm fatigue. Also, see the link on the YouTube page for an additional video test with an extract of this 1080p50 slowed to 1080p25 in post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzGKVIfjomE
 
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XLR sound

XLR sound

I am considering buying the TM900. It seems like it might be the almost perfect camcorder for my needs. I do have one concern. It has a TRS connector (tip, ring, sleeve) audio jack, which means it has unbalanced audio.

Based on what I've been reading about the built-in mic and also (mysterious) fan noise, I am planning to get an external mic. Because of the unbalanced sound, I would be limited to a short run of cable with the mic mounted on the camera. Something like the Rode video mic. If I want to use a lavaliere mic as well, I guess I'll need to buy something like little juicedlink mixer. I'm starting to carry around a lot of stuff, and spend beyond my budget:)

I know I want a flash memory or flash card based camcorder. I would consider buying a used one if it has XLR audio and I can find one in the same price range as a new TM900.

What are people's thoughts about the audio on this camera, and also, any recommendations for a used pro level camcorder with XLR sound inputs?

Thanks,
Phil
 
I've a Rode Videomic Pro on order which I'm hoping will improve audio on the TM900 (as much as any on-camera mic can do at this price point). For serious professional work I use serious professional XLR capable cams, XLR mics and/or flash audio recorders. Maybe, just mabe, at NAB next week Panasonic will announce a Pro version of the TM900 with XLR to compete with Canon's XA10, JVC HM100 etc. Sort of like a revised HMC-40/41. Hope so! But it still won't hit your budget. By the way, fan noise has not at all been an issue for me on my TM900. Maybe I need to get my ears syringed out ;-)
 
Three TM900 test videos

Three TM900 test videos

These videos illustrate various features of the TM900, including audio. In no cases was fan noise an issue, but then no videos were shot in a quiet studio. There is music: bagpipes, string quintet, soprano.

The British museum video makes use of a polarizing filter to deal with the fact that most of the exhibited item are behind glass. The filter effectively removed glare and enabled the colors to come straight through. Also tricky mixed natural sunlight and indoor light combinations requiring use of manual WB.

The videos also include: political protests, jugglers, videophotographers doing interviews (with quite different equipment); tourists on boats, buses and lions; champagne, mummies, indoor lighting, balloons, living statues in silver and gold, filming a music video.



 
Springtime Sunrise - In Ely (Panasonic TM900 & Canon 7D)

Springtime Sunrise - In Ely (Panasonic TM900 & Canon 7D)

My latest film. Shows the capabilities of the TM900 really well I hope. I used my Canon 7D and Canon 100mm Macro IS and Canon 70-200mm IS for the flower shots that top and tail this latest little ditty. The master looks lovely on my big monitors, stunning, razor sharp, but looses a little after YouTube compression...

I'm still blown away by the capabilities of this tiny little TM900 and I think I'm pretty close to matching it well with my Sony EX3 (in good & studio light, in corporate work I'm doing at the moment) - but that cam took a rest for this little film.

The 7D gives a different kind of look and capability, ideally suited for what I used it for in this, I think.

It's great having different tools for different applications. I love 'em all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAZ8nASItXQ

I hope you enjoy the film. More notes on the YouTube page.
 
Thanks Andy and all the other forum members who have posted about their experiences with the TM900. I have ordered one from B&H Photo Video. I also ordered the Rode Videomic Pro. I am very much looking forward to putting the camera through its paces and I will share my experiences.

Phil
 
Great combo Phil. I hope you have as much fun with it as I'm having with my TM900/Rode VMP. The TM900 has a wealth of features (some of which I've still to try) but the bottom line is it produces stunning images for its price point and size. I'm amazed more people don't know about it. Good luck and we all look forward to reading how you get on.
 
Hi All, I'm brand new to this site.
Thanks for all the helpful info. The images look great.
Can you tell me if the TM900 has a healthy set of manual controls. I was a professional cameraman many years ago. I read that the Panasonic TM700 has good manual controls and was wondering how the TM900 compares.
Also please advise me on accessories. I'm thinking for instance a mini to XLR adaptor ( Beachtek? ) would be helpful. Do you agree and, if so, what others might be good?
Finally are there similar cameras comparable to the TM900?
Thanks everyone.
 
Hi, I'm also a brand new to this site.
For 2 month I own a TM900 camera. I just sold my Sony VX200 with its Steady cam. I still own a much lesser Steady cam.
I have been using the Tm900 for a 17 day cruise from Forth Lauderdale to Barcelona and I must say it fullfilled my expatiations.
The small size, the ois and face recognition impressed on me. I have manage to make DVD:s to a quality that suits me. I done all my shootings at free hands so far, but I am going to use my monopod in the future.
I have examples of my first shoting in Fort Lauderdale on youtube:
http://youtu.be/smAj1ZAelaI
and from from a church:
http://youtu.be/9Ms2rS4_WsQ
Dont forget I'm shooting at free hand.
//Bosse
 
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