Panasonic NV-MX300

Bottom-loading DV cassettes may frustrate heavy tripod users, but Panasonic has at least used the maligned feature to save on bulk compared to its fatter NV-DS28B stablemate. Adding on the portly lithium ion battery pack then balances the camera for mounting, although this and the tape take the unit over its 700g rated weight.

The NV-MX300's lens cap, as with the NV-DS28B, is translucent white. Its second role, other than protective, is to aid the setting of white balance; with the cap fastened, a single button press will perform the task automatically. The LCD, measuring 2.5in, is built into its body, as with the NV-DS28B. Aside from the VCR controls, the critical buttons reside at the front within easy reach. The manual focusing button rests underneath the lens at a 90-degree angle to the menu and focusing jog dial. Around this area you'll also find separate buttons for titling and picture-in-picture for video or multiple stills.

The NV-MX300 is a three-CCD camcorder, so we were hoping for optimum image quality. As expected from the higher technical standard, red reproduction indoors was deep and convincing. However, at the wrong lighting angle the NV-MX300 could also overcompensate into a murky, fresh blood-style tinge. Green lighting brought out the tiniest degree of shimmer but performance was otherwise great, while blue lighting gave excellent results - although, once again, the slightest degree of incorrect lighting fixture turned the black cloth purple on playback.

Outside, the sun could cause a haloing effect if it drifted into view without clouds to diffuse its intensity - something Sony's DCR-VX2000E could compensate for with its neutral density filter. However, manual focusing gave solid results for the rooftop tests. When the sun was behind the subject we were able to film silver metal furniture without any haloing, and no jagged edges. This was among the best reproduction we'd seen, challenging Canon's XL1S and Sony's DCR-VX2000E.

Audio quality was also impressive, although manual level control is hidden deep within the menu system. An 8Mb SD card is supplied for still pictures. There's also a separate USB reader for uploading to a PC, although the optimal 1,568 « 1,152 resolution is interpolated.

With its extensive feature set, the NV-MX300's bottom loading wasn't enough for us to dismiss it. If you don't have another £641 for Sony's DCR-VX2000E, then this model offers an amazing combination of image quality and feature set for the price.