Panasonic HM-TA1

Panasonic HM-TA1

Here's the thing about bringing a new product to a crowded market: you have to either offer something different and/or better or something similar to the competition at a lower price. This is especially true for pocket video cameras, and Panasonic's HM-TA1 minicamcorder delivers neither. With plenty of models already available from camera and camcorder manufacturers as well as multifunction devices like the iPod Touch and a bevy of smartphones, the TA1 is fairly undesirable for its price and features. Add to that the overall poor design and there's just not much here to like. It is small and the video quality is very good--at least in bright conditions--but the device is otherwise unremarkable. Unless you can find it for cheap, there's little reason to pick the TA1 over minicamcorders from Flip, Kodak, or Sony. The TA1 is a candybar-style minicamcorder that is held vertically. The device is attractive, lightweight, and very compact. Unfortunately, the design goes downhill from there. For starters, the body is made from glossy plastic (available in three color choices) with silver edges that show every fingerprint and is somewhat slippery to hold.