Panasonic HM TA20 HD flash memory camcorder

Panasonic's HM-TA20 Waterproof Mobile Camcorder is not only compact and versatile, it's tough. Triple tough. Yes, it goes out of its way to record high-quality video, photos and audio, but it's also waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. That means you can take it on all sorts of rough-and-tumble adventures without fear of it turning into a shiny, pretty doorstop.

Like many ultra compact cameras in its class, the HM-TA20 can shoot up to Full-HD 1920 x 1080 video, giving you the highest possible image quality for large-screen HDTV display. Also standard is the TA20's Electrical Image Stabilization (E.I.S.) to keep your handheld shots from getting too shaky. Add to that the ability to snap high-quality 5MP photos and you've got a solid and stylish electronic companion that fits snugly in your pocket.

But the TA20 is more than just a tough, reliable warrior-cam. It also revels in flourishes of its own-starting with a large, bright 3" Touch Screen LCD for easily composing your shots. Use it vertically for shooting and horizontally for playing back from an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card (purchased separately). You can also shoot at night, using either the built-in LED video light or Night View mode-which lets you capture well-exposed images even in dimly lit environments. If self-portraits or rock-steady images are called for, the included mini tripod provides a sturdy foundation to shoot from.

Other fun additions include a trio of image effects-Sepia, Soft Skin and Monochrome-to enhance the already high quality of your images. And if audio is all you need, then a separate function lets you record just that (in linear PCM stereo, no less). When it comes time to share your recordings with friends, a built-in USB terminal and HDMI port let you easily connect the camera to a computer for editing and uploading or to the nearest HDTV-to elicit every ooh and ahh your footage deserves.

Features:

Tough Design for Active Shooting: The HM-TA20 is a triple-tough design with waterproofing down to 9.8 feet (3 meters) for use even in seawater, shock-proofing to withstand a 4.9-foot (1.5-meter) drop and a dustproof structure

Waterproof to a Depth of 9.8 Feet (3 Meters): Take the HM-TA20 underwater as deep as 9.8 feet (3 meters) and get some great shots in a pool or the ocean. Swim along with tropical fish, capture shots of a beautiful coral reef, or get action footage of a friend snorkeling

Shockproof for Falls from Up to 4.9 Feet (1.5 Meters): The HM-TA20 is designed to resist damage even if dropped from a height of up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters). Panasonic fortified the outer body casing, making it thicker to improve rigidity and strength

Dustproof: A dustproof design keeps the HM-TA20 safe even if handled with dirty hands or used in a place with swirling dust. The camera is protected against sand too, so you can take it to the beach or sports field with no worries

Full-HD (1920 x 1080) Recording: Record high-quality Full-HD (1920 x 1080/30p) movies with this handy little compact. Save those fun moments forever in beautiful HD images

Compact Size: Even with its compact size and super mobility, the HM-TA20 lets you shoot Full-HD movies and photos. Just slip it into a pocket or hang it from your wrist. It goes wherever you go. Perfect for capturing everyday fun

3.0" Touch Screen: The HM-TA20 has an easy-to-see 3.0" touch panel with intuitive operation. The touch panel has a simple button layout and is easy to operate. The vertical configuration makes the camera easy to hold for shooting, while the horizontal 3.0" screen simplifies playback

Night View Mode: The HM-TA20 is equipped with Night View Mode, which lets you shoot with twice the brightness of the previous model. When shooting, this function automatically detects dark scenes and the mode selector button lights up on the LCD screen

Voice Recording: The linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) system records sounds that are faithful to the original. You can also shoot a photo while recording sounds. Enjoy playing your recorded sounds and photos simultaneously

Tripod Stand Included: A tripod stand comes bundled with the HM-TA20. It's handy for web camera use, or to hold the camera still to prevent blurring while shooting

E.I.S. (Electrical Image Stabilizer): The E.I.S. system helps to correct the kind of hand-shake blurring that often happens with compact cameras. Record all the images you want, whether you're shooting while walking or taking self-portraits, without having to worry about blurring

Effect Function: Give the image some warmth with Sepia mode, make it extra cool with Monochrome mode, or capture beautiful skin tones with Soft Skin mode. Match your shooting to your mood and subject

Still Picture Recording: The HM-TA20 lets you save a smile from someone special, or capture the beauty of flowers bathed in sunshine. You can save memories like these in high-quality images with 8-megapixel (5MP effective) resolution

LED Light for Shooting in Dim Locations: The built-in LED lets you capture bright, crisp images even in dark situations, like indoors or during nighttime events. (The LED light does not go on when operating in Web cam mode.)

Still Image Capture: You can cut out and save still images by simply pressing the Photo Cutout button while playing back a video. This ensures that you'll never miss that perfect shot again

Easy Web Uploading (HD Writer PE 2.0 Embedded Software): Upload your movies onto YouTube and Facebook. As soon as you plug the TA2's built-in USB terminal into a PC, the embedded HD Writer PE 2.0 application (Windows only) launches automatically

Built-in USB: The TA20's built-in USB terminal means that there's no need to carry around an adapter. And you can charge the battery by simply plugging the USB terminal into a PC

HDMI Connection: The TA20 features a mini HDMI terminal that lets you enjoy images with natural Full-HD quality by directly connecting the camera to an HDTV

Panasonic HM TA20 Waterproof HD Flash Memory Camcorder: