A simple, crisply designed upright camcorder, the Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin Camcorder is as svelte as a cell phone and will fit comfortably into any standard sized pocket. Boasting vigorous 1080p HD recording capabilities and the secondary ability to take 8 megapixel still photographs, the Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin is a capable video recorder, though it needs careful handling. The lens is set in the upper center of one side of the case and the LCD screen occupies the same position on the reverse side.
All of this is packaged in a lightweight pocket camcorder that comes in dark gray and for a few more dollars, purple and red. Though you will need to focus and practice a bit to get the best out of both the video and audio output of the Panasonic TA-1, the device certainly gives value for money when it comes to actually producing a finished video.
FEATURES
Size and Weight: 2.1 x 0.7 x 4.1 inches ; 3.4 ounces
Video Recording Modes: You can shoot at several different resolutions, with the upper limit being represented by 1080p HD video, which translates to a size of 1920 by 1080 pixels on the screen. Standard HD is recorded by this camera at 1280 by 720 pixels, and detail is superbly rendered with crystal clarity at both of these upper sizes. It is also possible to film in 960 by 540 and 640 by 480, in both cases at 30 frames per second, though these video files will be correspondingly blurrier. An LED light adds illumination to dark filming environments.
Still Photos and Frames Too: Good quality 8 megapixel stills can be shot with this camera, and there is a robust Still Image Capture function to pull single frames out of your video captures, too.
Memory Expansion: The Panasonic Ultrathin has an SDHC card slot for expanding memory to store your video and still captures until you can upload them.
Skype Video Conferencing! The ability to use the camera for Skype, the video call program, enhances the camera’s usefulness. Connecting it to a computer provides the capability for videoconferencing, where you can talk face-to-face with others.
PC and Mac Compatible: Notable, too, is the pleasant detail that the video is equally compatible with the Mac operating system, making this a camera desired by both Windows and Apple enthusiasts.
Audio Recording: The audio recording of the Ultrathin is of good, though not amazing, quality, but is as good as can be expected from a pocket-sized camcorder.
Proprietary Battery and USB Charging: The Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin makes use of a proprietary battery rather than generic rechargeable batteries, and this Panasonic battery costs roughly half the full price of the camera itself. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries with an external charger can be used if they are labeled as being compatible with Panasonic cameras–there is little risk of damaging the device if you observe this rule, but you should be aware that there is always a slight chance that a specific battery will be incompatible with your camcorder.
The proprietary battery works well, too, but can only be charged via the USB cable included with the device, and then only when plugged into a computer. USB battery chargers plugged into the cigarette lighter in a car, for example, will fail to charge the battery and will, in fact, cause it to “freeze”, necessitating removal and reinsertion of the bat
tery in the camera to “reset” it before it will supply power again. Since the USB cable ejector is not durable, it is probably advisable to purchase a good, compatible rechargeable battery and an external battery charger.
WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE
Camera
USB “Extension Cord” About 40-inches long
AV Cable
Attachable hand strap
Manual
DRAWBACKS
Although the Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin produces high quality video files, it suffers to a considerable extent in the matter of basic physical engineering. One of the standout weak points of Panasonic’s engineering are the flimsy access doors for the battery/SD card and the USB connector ejector. An incautious push on the USB release tab could easily snap this part and make it very difficult to disconnect the camera from its USB cable. If you need a rugged camera for outdoor adventures, read our review of the Kodak PlaySport Zx5.
The external case of the camera is weakly designed and blows or weights placed on the Ultrathin are apt to damage the internal parts fairly easily. The lens is easy to scratch unless you exercise great care, and there is no lens cap and nowhere to mount one easily. Finally, the proprietary battery is expensive.
SUMMARY: A GOOD POCKET VIDEO CAMERA; CONSTRUCTION IS LIGHTWEIGHT
Considered purely as a video recording device, the Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin stands firmly in the first rank of pocket camcorders, with its capacity to produce high-quality video with decent sound for either Windows or Mac. It is ultra portable and fits easily into a pocket or handbag. With numerous video resolutions, crisp and stable imagery, this camcorder is well suited for those who take pride in their video abilities.
The flaws of the Ultrathin lie mostly in its physical construction–it is an excellent camcorder but is not as durable as you might like. Considering that it sells for well under $100 though, this is a great value for those who can handle it carefully.
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