Choosing a TV: Sony or Panasonic? SONY, PANASONIC, SAMSUNG: Best Digital Video Camera wins….

27.03.2014 / 412

Immediately after reading the title, the question may arise - why only these two companies, when there are many other manufacturers? The answer is simple - the article is intended for those who still prefer to buy Japanese electronics, despite the success of Korean and Chinese. Well, in Japan, the undoubted leaders in this area are Sony and Panasonic.

Well, for starters - a little about the history of these companies.

Two geniuses, engineer Masaru Ibuka and businessman Akio Marita, founded in 1946 a company with a boring long name for research in the field of electronics and the production of innovative products. Things were going well until they changed their name. They called their brainchild simply: SONY. The word is equally well pronounced in any language. Formed by consonance from 3 English words: sunny, sonny, sonus (sunny, son, sound, respectively). In 1957, the company launched the first transistor radio with this name on the market. And - a stunning success in Japan and in the world. Sony was the first to adopt a strategy: supply creates demand, working ahead of the curve. And one after another creates novelties. 1964 - desktop calculator, 1968 - TV Trinitron, 1979 - audio player, 1980 - video camera, 1997 - VAJO laptop. It also has a flat screen TV, digital camera and more. Now the range of products of the company is simply boundless. Its production sites are scattered all over the world. It seems that even at the headquarters in Tokyo they do not know who and where rivets crafts and fakes under their brand.

PANASONIC

Mitsushita Denki was actually the name of the company, and Panasonic is one of the names of its products. Now this word is the official name of the brand. Regarding the race: if SONY developed self-reliance, like the North Korean Juche, then Panasonic widely, sometimes even shamelessly, used any available experience. Konosuke Matsushita once made an offer to the Dutch company Philips, which, after a whole year of resistance, she could not refuse. Technology from the Dutch, production from the Japanese. And things went. They did not stand on ceremony with domestic trifles at all, they bought them in the bud. The most famous JVS was swallowed for debts. In sports, the race for the leader does not involve overtaking. In business, it's all over the place. Panasonic caught up and overtook all competitors, including the main one: Sony. Competition is such a powerful engine of progress that we, consumers, can hardly keep up with the latest in electronics. And to buy them all - so almost every month you have to get used to a new TV.

Two drops. twins/twins

What TV to choose? The variety of assortment drives into a stupor. First of all, let's decide, plasma or LED. If you are a fan of bright, saturated, albeit not quite natural colors, then plasma. Rumors of the death of this technology are greatly exaggerated. Panasonic managed to get rid of the shortcomings of plasma TVs, while maintaining and enhancing the advantages. A new line of Panasonic Smart VIERA with full-featured intelligence has been developed. The high-quality Neo Plasma panel is resistant to fading and has a longer service life. The latest unique development of FocusedFieldDrive improves dynamic scenes, works without distortion in the most resource-demanding fast games. There is a separate video processor, displaying the smallest details in real time. The VT60 and ST60 series models provide 3D video in FullHD resolution. Includes active glasses, two pairs. Programmers have offered in this line a new control system VieraConnect with the broadest possibilities - up to user recognition by the image from the camera and setting the content to the tastes of this person. Some applications are controlled by voice commands. Pairing with a mobile device and using it as a remote control is provided. The price depending on the model is from $400 to $4100.

LED TVs are also not bypassed, in 2013-14 the company offers 7 product lines for every taste and budget. This is
- Panasonic WT 60;
- P.DT 60;
- P.FT 60;
- P. E6;
- P. EM6;
- P.B6;

In each line from two to five models, a total of 20 modifications. Most TVs use the LG IPS LED matrix 50, 100 and 200 Hz. Last frequency for the tops in the list. Price from $600 to $3000. If the model designation contains the letter R, then the TV is flashed for the CIS countries, the menu is in Russian, a DVB-T2 digital tuner is built in, and so on. Models for Europe can be delivered to Russia from the European Union through Lithuania and Latvia. They do not have the Russian language and you should not try to reflash, it is easier to learn the English menu. They are somewhat cheaper.

SONY LCD TVs are presented on the world market no less worthy. And plasma for Sony is yesterday, like a CRT is the day before yesterday. By the way, Panasonic also intends to stop producing plasma panels. No, perhaps, about the twins and two drops, I got excited. SONY is the undisputed leader in innovation, from birth to the present day. Already, 4K TVs are offered to the consumer, producing the so-called ultraHD (UHD) image. They have a 4-fold increase in the number of pixels compared to the full HD format, and provide a resolution of 3840x2160. Triluminos technology, which provides such unprecedented quality, is based on the use of quantum dots in film microcrystals. For 2013-14, the following series of LED TVs have been announced and are already being produced at the company's factories:
- W900 40, 46 and 55 inches, all with Triluminos, new lighting, acoustics, support FullHD 3D, Smart TV and more;
- W802 47 and 55 inches with all features;
-W650;
- R series 550, 450, 400 with screens 50, 60, 70 inches.

Sony W900

Advanced models have edge lighting, active 3D, backlight dimming locally, Motionflow XR 800Hz distortion compensation, 2-core processor, separate X-Reality PRO video system. For games together on one device, 3D glasses are included. Everyone sees only their picture on the full screen. The same system (Simul View) allows you to watch two different programs on the TV at the same time. Wi-Fi and NFS are standard for communication with mobile gadgets. In budget models, the functions are smaller and simpler, but the image quality is practically not reduced.
Sony BRAVIA KDL-55W905A has been named the Best TV of 2013 by EISA. Let's evaluate its main characteristics:
- backlight - Dynamic Edge LED;
- screen - LCD, 55 inches, 16:9, resolution 1920 x 1080, FullHD, 3D;
- refresh rate 800 Hz;
- 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic);
- viewing angles 178o x 178o;
- stereo sound 2х10 W;
- unique innovative image processing schemes, dynamics improvement, color optimization, scanning, the ability to display movies at a frequency of 24 frames / sec;
- TV standards NTSC, PAL, SECAM;
- digital standards DVB-C, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T, DVB-T2;
- when connecting a PC, resolutions from 640x480 to 1920x1080 are available;
- Internet (installed browser Opera);
- support for media formats MPEG1 / MPEG2PS / MPEG2TS / AVCHD / MP4Part10 / MP4Part2 / WMV / MP3 / WMA / LPCM / JPEG;
- AV input, audio x2, SCART, HDMI x4, USB x3, Ethernet, Wi-Fi;
- output audio, optical, headphones;
- dimensions 1241x756x298 mm;
- weight 22 kg;
- price $2600.

findings

A thoughtful analysis shows that modern devices from different companies of the same class produce such a high-quality product (image and sound) that technical nuances will be invisible to a simple consumer and can only be detected using special test devices and programs. It is better for the average buyer to use common sense and find out where the product is assembled. No wonder there are concepts: white assembly (Europe, USA, Japan), yellow (Asia), red (CIS). In addition, there are outright fakes. How to discover them? At least in appearance. The global brand cannot afford the slightest carelessness in the packaging, especially in the product itself. Well, pay attention to simple things, such as compliance with the parameters of the power grid, TV signal. Buy from a large specialty store. In such a reputation is valued. Ask the seller for details. But don't let anyone make decisions for you. The difference isn't big enough to bother with.

You can’t make a mistake with the choice of a video camera, lovers of photography and video filming know this very well. But what to do if the stores are flooded with models that are similar in characteristics and prices? How to decide when in almost every of them a polite consultant highlights only advantages? The answer suggests itself: to conduct its own, independent examination.

So, three digital video cameras from giant manufacturers - SONY HDR-CX200E, PANASONIC HDC-SD80 and SAMSUNG HMX-H320BP. All these models are in the same price range of 10,000-12,500 rubles.

Let's compare the main characteristics according to the technical documentation:

As you can see, the best resolution of the matrix is ​​\u200b\u200bfor the SAMSUNG camera, 5 megapixels. Compared to conventional sensors, this sensor has improved light sensitivity. The first point in the "piggy bank" SAMSUNG.

The highest magnification is 34x for the PANASONIC camera. The zoom of the other two models is weaker, and in order to achieve good quality, you will have to shoot from a tripod when zooming in. Plus one point - to the applicant from PANASONIC.

With almost the same physical dimensions of the presented HD camcorders, SAMSUNG has the widest 3-inch LCD screen, which can not help but contribute to comfortable shooting. Second score from SAMSUNG.

Now let's evaluate optical stabilization. The SONY HDR-CX200E takes good pictures in the right lighting conditions. Practice has shown that with a lack of light (for example, in the evening on the street), the camcorder shoots worse, but stabilization does not fall below the average level. As for the night mode, it is, unfortunately, missing, as well as the ability to adjust the white balance.

PANASONIC HDC-SD80 stabilizer works only in good light conditions. At dusk, and even more so in the dark, the result of shooting is not at all pleasing.

The image stabilization of the Czech video camera also causes other complaints. Some of those who have purchased this model note that when shooting, objects are “blurred”, this is especially evident in the captured panoramas. If a lot of small details fall into the frame, then graininess is detected when the image is enlarged. So if you want to get only high-quality shots, you will have to limit yourself to shooting close-ups of foregrounds without sudden movements. But, unlike the previous contender, here you don’t have to worry about the white balance - with sufficient illumination, the automation works flawlessly.

Optical stabilizer SAMSUNG HMX-H320BP does not reveal serious flaws. The stabilization in this model has a dual system that automatically smooths out the slightest movement of the camcorder. The manufacturer authoritatively claims that the picture will remain stable even when shooting on the go or while riding, for example, on a bicycle. The third point in the "piggy bank" of this video camera.

And finally, let's evaluate the performance of the battery. A fully charged SONY HDR-CX200E battery lasts only one hour, which is clearly a weak indicator. Here the problem is solved only by replacing the "native" battery with a new one, which, of course, will entail additional costs.

A charged PANASONIC HDC-SD80 battery enables continuous video recording for 1 hour 45 minutes.

SAMSUNG challenger battery lasts 3 hours continuously, and this is the fourth point in favor of this model.

So, according to the results of an independent examination, among the three models presented in the nomination "Best Digital Video Camera" wins... SAMSUNG HMX-H320BP! Manufacturers from China and South Korea - our imaginary "Oscar".

Most smartphones and tablets can shoot video, but its quality is nowhere close to that of a good video camera. It delivers sharper images and better sound, and can shoot much longer than devices that offer video capture as a secondary option. To answer the question of which digital camera to buy, you must know exactly what you want from the device. Looking for a camera to capture your outdoor adventures or family vacations? Need a gift for a teenager to support his budding blogging career? Need a camcorder that can shoot in 4K?

To help you make your choice, we've pored over industry-specific resources like Lifewire and Epfilms to come up with a top camcorder that includes the best value-for-money models for amateur and professional videographers.

10 Canon VIXIA HF R82

The winner in the category "best zoom" will allow you to capture objects that are far away (for example, players during a football match). The camera has an impressive 57x optical zoom range and an optical Image Stabilizer ensures that footage is sharp. It also has Wi-Fi and NFC, which can be used for video streaming or can be used as a video baby monitor (when plugged into a wall outlet).

And a new backlight compensation feature allows users to avoid creating a silhouette (when the light comes from behind the subject) even without using manual exposure mode.

9 Canon XA30

The best professional camera in the 2017 video camera rating. This compact device has a 20x optical zoom and an upgraded HD CMOS Pro sensor that eliminates noise in low light conditions. Native 24p video recording corresponds to the frame rate of a movie camera. And the Highlight Priority option allows you to better work out the details in the highlights of contrasting scenes.

The camera also features a detachable handle for improved portability, an external microphone holder, manual audio control, zoom control, dynamic range mode, infrared illumination, and an indicator lamp.

8 Panasonic HC-WXF991K

If we review the best Panasonic camcorders of 2017, then this model will be in the “best 4K camcorder” section. It is equipped with a high quality Leica Dicomar lens with a 20x optical zoom range and a BSI sensor.

The manufacturer has provided the device with many options, such as:
- A set of effects "Like a movie", it allows you to shoot video in slow and fast pace, do a slow zoom and scale only the background.
- Picture-in-picture recording, for this you need to connect your smartphone via Wi-Fi and use it as an additional camera.
- Operates in 4K Photo mode, in which the camcorder takes 8-megapixel pictures. Their quality surpasses the best SLR cameras.
- Ability to crop 4K video (Full HD image is cropped from 4K resolution frames).

7Sony HDR-CX405

The camcorder market has traditionally been dominated by Sony and Panasonic. They produce a variety of models, from budget to high-end devices with many options. If we talk about the Sony HDR-CX405, then this is one of the best camcorders of 2017 for beginners in video shooting. It can shoot Full HD (1920x1080) video at 50fps, has 30x optical zoom and 60x digital zoom. The device has a 2.7-inch LCD display with face detection, SensorSteadyShot image stabilization, and intelligent auto mode. More than enough for the money.

6 Panasonic HC-V380K

This is ideal for parents who want to film their children's games and sports. No matter how far away you are, the 50x optical and 150x digital zoom will let you capture every minute of the day. Video recording comes with a resolution of Full HD 1080p, you can manually set the exposure and focus. The camera is very light and compact, and its additional advantage is the presence of Wi-Fi and a bright three-inch display with good viewing angles.

5 Sony FDR-AX53

One of the best 4K Sony camcorders of 2017 in our review. It uses advanced optics - an Exmor R® CMOS sensor with an increased area of ​​​​each photosensitive cell for good shooting even in the dark. The ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 20x optical zoom has a focal length of 26.8 mm and allows you to capture as many objects as possible in the frame.

And the ultra-fast hardware autofocus and image stabilization make for stunning UHD video (3840x2160) that you can enjoy for years to come.

4 Sony HXR-NX30U

This is the most expensive camcorder in the ranking. For the money, it offers a very large functionality:
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T optics for perfect image quality.
- Balanced Optical Steady image stabilization technology, which greatly helps in eliminating camera shake.
- Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor, known for impressive low-light shots.
- Optical 20x zoom and the ability to shoot at a maximum resolution of 1920×1080. The internal memory is 96 GB, which means you can store a lot of video material without a memory card.
- A huge number of manual settings.
- Massive package including microphone, remote control, rechargeable battery pack, lithium battery, DK-415 cable and charger.

3 Panasonic HC-V160

Main advantages of the device: compact size;
- 38x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom;
- the presence of 2.7 LCD screen;
- the presence of autofocus; video shooting resolution 1920×1080;
- widescreen photo mode.

At the same time, there is no stabilization in the camera and there is no viewfinder, but something has to be sacrificed for the sake of a low price.

2 Sony NEX-VG30H

One of the main reasons for the popularity of this Full HD camera is the interchangeable lens. From interchangeable lenses, it is recommended to purchase a Samyang 8mm F2.8 UMC Fish-Eye fisheye lens, which will allow you to capture more objects in the frame than other glasses, and Sony 50mm F1.8, which allows you to shoot in low light conditions. SELP18200 lens included for superior stabilization and smooth zooms.

Also among the advantages of the Sony NEX-VG30H are a powerful 11.1x zoom, an excellent viewfinder, a convenient button layout for accessing quick settings and the presence of kinematic settings.

1 Panasonic HC-V770

This camcorder is perfectly balanced in terms of cost and features. It has all the features you need to capture beautiful footage, including: 20x optical zoom and 60x digital zoom;
- HDR (high dynamic range) video capture;
- Back Side Illumination (BSI) sensor that suppresses noise;
- Full HD-(1080p) video capture.

For ease of use, there is a separate button for photos during video shooting. And with Wi-Fi and NFC, you can instantly connect to your phone and stream live video. The HC-V770 also has a variety of creative filters and effects, and can record high quality audio. The device does not stand out in one thing, it is good in all areas.

Sony Wega found in trash in New York

Not so long ago, Japanese companies such as Sony, Panasonic, and Sharp were considered premium brands.

In the consumer electronics world, they made just about everything from televisions to microwave ovens to digital music players. It seemed that nothing would stop them. Their products often had higher price tags, emphasizing the quality, and people bought into it.

"People are used to having Sony at home," said Tony Costa, an analyst at Forrester Research. - "You just don't see what could be better."

Today, the giants of Japanese consumer electronics are, to what extent, underdogs struggling to make a profit. Sony's credit rating was downgraded for the second time in a month by Moody's. Sharp, a loser in the stock market this year, is seeking help from the Japanese government. Panasonic's management is talking about a willingness to shut down unprofitable businesses, so it's possible that Panasonic TVs could disappear from store shelves overnight.

This collapse marks a dramatic change for the companies that once stood at the top of the consumer electronics world. It also pretty much marks the end of an era in which these Japanese companies thought they could operate in various lines of business.

"Everyone recognizes that those days won't come back again," said Stephen Baker, an analyst at NPD Group.

Ironically, the South Korean Samsung Electronics, which in the previous decade was a low-cost player in the business, has now become more successful than its Japanese competitors.

Big companies replace small ones

So how do corporations like Sony and Sharp lose ground? As with many other downfall stories, these companies did not pay attention to changing trends and were outplayed by foreign competitors. As consumer markets shifted to digital media and , mobile devices, software applications and , the Japanese have struggled to keep up. External factors such as the rising value of the Japanese yen, which made products exported from Japan more expensive abroad, as well as the reduction of the sales market to the borders of one's own country, further led to shrinking companies.

The slump in TV production is the best illustration of their decline. Sony, Sharp and a host of other Japanese companies dominated the television business. The Sony Trinitron had an impeccable reputation as a must-have TV.

In their place were companies such as LG and Samsung. Samsung, in particular, has been focusing on making higher-quality flat-panel TVs with more features and selling them at a competitive price, and has gradually increased its market share. The company has long surpassed its Japanese competitors in functionality and design. It is now a leader in the television business with the brand's gold standard.

Another problem is the company's wide range of products, many of which are mostly non-existent.

Mobile telephony

Panasonic and Sharp were too insular and focused on their home market firmly enough to compete globally. Sony has been tied to its joint venture with Ericsson, which has had some success with the mainstream .

But when Apple released the iPhone a few years ago, these companies were unable to compete. When Google and Android came along later, Japanese companies were slow to adopt the platform and fell far behind, while Samsung and HTC took the lead.

Sony TL Xperia

Like the TV market, the smartphone market proved to be an incredibly hard fought battle with only a few business winners. Along with Apple, Samsung is the only major player capable of generating significant profits from smartphone sales.

Sony has a slim chance of making a comeback with the Xperia TL, its latest flagship phone - best known for its James Bond movie "Skyfall". Sharp is represented by several models of phones in the US market, but this is not enough if no one has ever heard of them. Panasonic had ambitious plans to expand outside of Japan with its Eluga line of smartphones, but currently lacks the clout or resources to do so. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month about the company's ambition to enter Europe.

These companies require dramatic changes in the coming years if they are to survive.

Among these three giants, Sharp lost the most. The company this month reported a loss of 387.6 billion yen ($4.87 billion) in the six months ended Sept. 30, almost a tenfold increase from the same period last year.

Instead of consumer products, Sony and Sharp became suppliers of more established companies. Sony, for example, provides cameras for the iPhone, while Sharp is one of several suppliers of Apple smartphone displays.

Panasonic president Kazuhiro Tsuga, meanwhile, has been candid about his desire to move away from consumer electronics. He recently told managers that any business not able to earn at least 5% margins will have no place in the company (according to The New York Time).

Sony, the PlayStation maker, owner of Hollywood and recording studios, has the best chance of survival given its diversified gaming and entertainment presence. The company plans to focus on areas such as visualization and games, including in the mobile field. But televisions may remain as a "hobby" and the company is shifting attention away from this area. However, it has a wide range of consumer lines to draw on.

New pressure

Japanese companies have competitors not only in the US and Korea, but more and more of them appear from China. Lenovo showed its dominance in the PC business and record sales of $8.7 billion.

In the smartphone market, Huawei and ZTE are making headway globally with both low-end and high-end phones. In the US, the companies have yet to break into the market, but both companies can expect to provide affordable smartphones and tablets.

In the TV market, Chinese companies are a potential threat. China's leading home TV manufacturer is TCL, followed by Hisense. Although they do not have a significant presence in the US, the first steps in this direction have already been taken. Both companies came out with extremely low-cost TVs, and Hisense even introduced resolution-enabled models for the US market. Japanese companies are losing market share and it is going to the Chinese.

But companies are not sitting idly by. Sony is fighting for its presence in games, and analysts believe that the big benefits could be from closer integration of the company's products, similar to how Samsung has integrated its TVs, tablets, smartphones and even appliances. Panasonic at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January is likely to reaffirm its presence in the industry.

Nobody knows if they will succeed. What is clear is that they have a road ahead of them with obstacles.

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