10 Camcorder Roundup : Panasonic HDC-SD1
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Digital Versus,
published on April 16, 2009
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8. Panasonic HDC-SD1
Significant afterglow
Though high definition can offer amazing quality, the HDC-SD1 is marked by strong afterglow by objects in movement. This translates into effects which can be cool in action movies, but in the end may be rather bothersome.
The Panasonic HDC-SD1 is the first camcorder ever to offer recording in AVCHD format (high definition) on a SD/SDHC flash memory card. This format has the advantage of being independent from its main memory (hard drive, DVD, memory card), but suffers from being too recent to be included in all video editing programs. Small and attractive, the SD1 is a concentration of Panasonic technologies : triCCD, optical stabilization and its 5.1 sound.
Design
Design
The reduced size of its storage support (SD/SDHC card) allowed Panasonic to make the camcorder a little out of the ordinary. With its long unique shape, the HDC-SD1 is relatively thin and it’s actually attractive. The entire team here at the office liked it despite the rather "light" construction for a camcorder of this price. The design does not interfere with ergonomics, and we enjoyed the joystick on the back, which allows rapid navigation and adjustment. While there are some manual controls (focus, exposure time, white balance), they aren’t numerous, and the HDC-SD1 is more for use in full automatic mode. The optical 12x zoom may appear a bit light, but you will get full use out of it with the high performance optical stabilizer. In addition, the 12x zoom offers a remarkably stable image. They did not forget the sound, and the HDC-SD1 has a 5.1 surround input. The cherry on top is another separate audio entry, but unfortunately nothing for headphones. The LCD screen is large and particularly nice to use. This is fortunate, because otherwise there is no visor for filming in full sun. The camcorder comes with a Class 2 SDHC 4 GB card, and we think that a faster one (class 4 or 6) will be necessary for high definition video. The HVCHD format encodes videos in three quality settings; 13, 9 and 6 Mbps or a maximum transfer of 1.65 MB/s. These bit-rates are far from the 25 Mbps of HDV format. AVCHD is still a very recent development and video editing software that is able to handle these files is still rare. Thank goodness for Panasonic’s HD Writer software, but it is limited.
Image quality
Panasonic’s triCCD still does a good job and the HDC-SD1’s images are precise with nice contrast. However, in the category of HD camcorders, it’s not the best and, for example, the Sony HDR-UX3 displays more details. The Sony also has more contrast, which reinforces sharpness in images. Side by side, HDC-SD1 videos seem softer, but they don’t lack punch thanks to a saturated colorimetry. In our test lab (lamp simulating daylight), white balance actually tilted towards red. Outside, colors are truer, but are still a bit warm. Even more bothersome was a very marked afterglow on moving subjects. Finally, an average sensitivity allowed filming in low light rendering images with very little noise. The photo mode was a little disappointing with a format in 1920 x 1080. This seems a bit light, but you can snap shots while recording video.
| Panasonic HDC-SD1 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
|
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Attractive in its simplicity of use and modern design, the HDC-SD1 also sets itself apart with its good image quality outdoors and 5.1 sound. A surprising product, but it slightly lacks maturity as evidenced by its high afterglow.
It's a troubling trend that nearly all consumer/prosumer camcorders are ditching the EVF in favor of the LCD, which is useless outdoors. I really liked the Canons, given their feature set and quality, but the lack of EVF was killer (the only model with EVF was the HG21, and that was impossible to find), and so I got a Sony SR12 instead. Great features are useless if you can't see what you're filming, unless you're doing all your work indoors.
I am only part way through the article, but I have to say that comparing the Vado (about $100) with even the Canon DC210 (about $400) just doesn't wash. If you had at least mentioned the price disparity, it might have been acceptable, but the Vado isn't aimed at the same market. Plus, the VADO HD is available, yet the article says, "but we're still waiting for the HD version of the Vado."
For me, this weakens the journalism and therefore weakens the reviews in general. It makes me wonder, did you really do due diligence in the review. Maybe your article lead time is too long, but that's where an editor can add notes, like, The Vado HD was released just after this review was completed.
Just my two cents worth.
I'll stick with my Canon HG10, EVF , 40GB HD, hotshoe, Mic input, perfect HD image....None of these compare.
At first I thought this was an old article that had slipt through RSS a second time, but no it was recent.
The reason is because I would not know for any reason to still review the Panasonic HDC-SD1. It's multiple generations old and you might be hard pressed to even find it. The four generations younger HDC-SD9 would be a lot better candidate even if it is not the latest generation, but it is still a reference with regards to value for money.
I haven't red it entirely, buy giving a '+' for a microphone (7.Panasonic HDC-SD1) is (imho) a joke. You can give a minus for no-audio recording, but giving a plus for a microphone is just too much!
2) You give a minus to Sony HDR-UX3 for lacking Image Stabilisation, and how about Sony HDR-SR11E - does it have IS or doesn't? JVC GZ-HD40 for example got a minus for medicore IS ...
I'd rewrite this article ... to some exent ..
I like digital camcorder very much , this unit looks very nice , how much it is?
Panasonic HDC-SD1 is too old. There were SD5, SD9, and now SD100. The last one is a way better than SD9. So, what is the need to review HDC-SD1?