SD/HDD Camcorder, 40GB HDD, Advanced OIS, Powerful 42x Optical Zoom

The H40 boasts Panasonic's Advanced O.I.S. Detecting and correcting hand-shake around 4,000 times per second, this high-performance system is about eight times more effective than previous systems and suppresses even tiny amounts of blurring caused by hand-shake. Several of the models are also equipped with a high-power optical zoom lens. The SDR-H40, offers a 42x zoom.

This hybrid model can record on either an SD (or SDHC) Memory Cards or their built-in hard disks. The SDR-H40 has a huge 40-GB hard disk. It has a 42x optical zoom lens and Advanced O.I.S. It can record onto SD (or SDHC) Memory Cards as well as their hard disks.

The H40 can hold up to 36 hours of memory.* This model protects data well too, thanks to its exceptional reliability. This is made possible by the super-reliable SD Memory Card, which does not require any kind of transport mechanism, together with an Anti-Shock Shield that helps protect the built-in hard disk from the effects of external impact. With its extended recording times and rugged designs, this model is ideal for shooting lengthy events or for taking on the road. It also offers a new function that simplifies the process of copying recordings from the Memory Card or hard disk to a DVD disc. Simply connect the camcorder to a VW-BN1 DVD Burner (optional) and press a button. No PC is required. A DVD disc created this way can be easily played on DVD players.

*In LP mode.


Feature Explanation



Large-Capacity Hard Disk

The H40 has a 40-GB hard disk that holds about as much data as 28 8cm-DVD discs. It can hold up to 36 hours of recording (in LP mode).


Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) [New]

Panasonic's O.I.S. uses gyrosensors to detect hand-shake and then shifts the lens unit to align the optical axis. Now Panasonic has taken image stabilisation a step further with Advanced O.I.S., a new system that's eight times more effective than the previous system. Advanced O.I.S. checks and compensates for hand-shake around 4,000 times per second. Because this system is optical, there is no loss of quality. Images are captured in all of their original beauty. Advanced O.I.S. prevents even the subtle blurring that can be caused by a tiny amount of hand-shake. In an age of large-screen, high-resolution TVs that make every imperfection visible, an effective system such as Advanced O.I.S. is essential.

42x Optical Zoom [New]

Enjoy remarkable 42x zoom magnification in a camera that fits comfortably and securely in one hand. Since the zoom is optical, it captures both moving and still pictures with exquisite beauty.

Crystal Engine & Pure Colour Engine

The Crystal Engine is a special image processing circuit for 3CCD camera systems that process the R, G, and B signals from three CCDs individually to remove the noise and improve colour processing accuracy. Pure Colour Engine is the same one for high-zooming cameras. Each engine achieves truly superb colour reproduction for high-quality pictures.

Create DVD Discs with One-Touch Ease [New]

Most people use their camcorders for three main purposes: to shoot, play back, and archive video recordings. They want each of these to be as easy as possible. The H60 and H40 are packed with a host of functions designed to do exactly that. In the past, copying video recordings from the Memory Card or hard disk to a DVD disc was a two-step process that involved transferring the data to a PC, then copying from PC to disc.
This new function lets you save images onto DVD discs without all the fuss. Connecting the H60 or H40 via USB cable to a VW-BN1 DVD Burner (optional), and pressing a single button is all it takes to copy recorded video clips from an SDHC/SD Memory Card or a hard disk to a DVD disc (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL). The disc you make can be played on DVD players, so playback is easy too.