Panasonic DVD DIGA Palmcorder VDR-M53 Camcorder - Silver

The Panasonic DVD Palmcorder Camcorder VDR-M53 is a 3" DVD-RAM and 3" DVD-R-based, ultra-compact camcorder.

If you're a beginner like me, at least for a DVD Camcorders -- then this is a good one for you. This was a definite improvement from my old Sony Hi-8 Camcorder... So light weight, compact and good quality. Of course like any other new technologies, you need to read instructions, fiddle with it and keep using it until you are comfortable. I guarantee that you can master recording videos in no time at all!

Price? It's a little expensive, maybe around $500-$600 (when it first came out, I paid $545) but you can find good deals anywhere today (especially on eBay Auctions), it's just a matter of looking around. Sometimes Circuit City or bestbuy have good deals too.

Quality? Pretty good. Good button display, easy to navigate, do very well in filming dark places. For Stills, not really that great but it's a-ok. It's easy to handle, and what I love most is the zoom. It can go way far and still have great images.

Recommended Accessories:
SD Memory Card at least 125 MB thru 512MB (for stills)
Camcorder Case for extra protection
3" DVD-R, or 3"DVD-RAM - Use the 30 mins.I use Sony DVD-R cause it's good quality and great price.
Extra Rechargeable batteries

Love the size of this camera. It is a little tuff trying to figure out how to use it. DVD-RW will not work in this camera, and the instructions do not state this. The mini DVDs to fit this camera are very hard to find, and buy. The camera can use a memory card (SD, but it will not record movies with the card, only still shots. Other then that the camera works well, and is a joy to own.

THIS WAS A XMAS GIFT FOR MY SON IT WAS A GREAT SIZE FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO STORE AND TAKE CARE OF! IT WORKS GREAT AND RECORDS RIGHT TO DVD (NOT THOSE GAUDY VCR OR MINI CASSETTES ETC) IT IS,ALSO GREAT FOR STORAGE AND OF COURSE THE PRICE WAS QUITE REASONABLE AS WELL AS A SMALL FRACTION OF WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST NEW & OR FROM OTHER VENDORS ETC! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE AS IT, WORKS GREAT FOR ADULT VIDEOS AS WELL : )IT CAN EASILY, GET INTO THOSE SMALL HARD TO REACH PLACES THAT YOU REALLY NEED A CLOSE UP AND NICE VISUAL FRAME ON & STUFF HA HA LOL (;-O)

We were going to purchase a hand held video camera because we are going on a cruise next May, so we did some looking and pricing in town and the ones we saw were pretty expensive. So I decided to shop on E-Bay to see what I could find. I found this one, a Panasonic, which the name is pretty reputable, so I decided to bid on it. After I got it, it took awhile to find the disc to go in it, but finally found some locally. We ride motorcycles also, so we can use it for just about any event, anywhere at anytime, especially when we go on a mission ride with the Patriot Guard. (IF you don't know what the Patriot Guard is, just look up on the web). It has turned out to be a really good camera for the money that I paid for it and I know that we will use it a lot. I am satisfied with the purchase and the product. Marilyn

nice camera very good. recommend for international Bayer's too i am one of them. every thing work fine. but this hasn't the PC connection. so only play the records with the TV. this is a problem.