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More…I was skeptical about a camcorder that records high-definition video onto an SD Card. What kind of compression is going on behind the scenes to make it fit? My doubts soon faded--the Panasonic HDC-SD1 captures (and stores) video of exceptional quality. However, for the moment, the compression format it uses introduces a different problem: an inability to edit your video.
Panasonic HDC-SD1
| Video image quality | Superior |
| Still image quality | Good |
| Battery lifeTime for the camcorder's battery to go from fully charged to exhausted while recording to tape or disc with the LCD active. | Very Good (96 minutes) |
| Overall design | Very Good |
| Video/still image recording media types | AVCHD format on SDHC Card |
| Maximum resolution | 1920 by 1080 (1080i) |
| Image stabilization type | Optical |
| Electronic viewfinder | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Remote | Yes |
| Flash shoe | No |
| Inputs/outputs | HDMI, A/V out, USB, microphone |
| Weight (ounces) | 17 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 2.9 by 2.7 by 5.6 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Camcorders »
Pros
Excellent video quality
HDMI and component ports
Cons
No video editing app supports its capture format
Included software is rough and limited
Bottom Line
The video from this HD camcorder looks great, but few video-editing applications will let you edit its output.
Panasonic HDC-SD1
HDC-SD1 Review, by Alan Stafford March 1, 2007
At its best quality setting, the $1500 HDC-SD1 records 40 minutes of 1080i video to an included 4GB SD Card (a similar model, the HDC-DX1, records to miniDVD and costs $100 less). Both use the AVCHD format developed by Panasonic and Sony. When we tested the HDC-SD1, no video editing software supported the format, but Sony says it will offer a free update this spring to allow its Vegas video editor to import such files. You'll also need a very powerful computer to edit the video once the apps to do so are available, as well as an HD-DVD or Blu-ray drive if you want to export it from your computer in HD. Forget about using the software included with the camcorder; though you can use it to export standard-definition video to a DVD, it's nearly useless beyond that. You can't even use it to watch your footage full-screen on your computer.
Since the camcorder has component outputs and an HDMI port, however, you can play back the unedited footage in high-definition on an HDTV. Video I captured in well-lit settings looked gorgeous, and even video taken in relatively dim, indoor rooms looked surprisingly good--and much better than footage from the standard-definition camcorders I've seen. The HDC-SD1's microphone captures 5.1-channel audio, too; I wasn't able to test it with a surround-sound system, but it sounded quite good through TV speakers.
Panasonic says the HDC-SD1 is the smallest HD camcorder yet, and it's certainly smaller than many standard-definition models, despite its larger-than-average, 3-inch LCD. The tube-shaped body measures roughly 2.5 inches in diameter and 5.5 inches long; it's very comfortable to hold. The device has some manual controls, though they could be easier to use: To adjust the shutter speed, for example, you must press a tiny joystick on the back once for each step in speed (you can't hold it down).
The current editing limitations are significant; but once the software catches up, the HDC-SD1 will be high on my list.
Alan Stafford
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User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Panasonic HDC-SD1
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: Ed02
Duration of ownership: 2 Days
Strengths: iMovie 08 will edit this video.
Weaknesses: Single ccd
Overall: Still love my GS200!
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: kqahmad61_7909570137
Strengths: good zoom, good quality, uses SDHC card which have a lot of memory
Weaknesses: SDHC cant be used in a regular SD card reader, the camera only records in mvt2s format which most video editors wont use, only comes with a lame video editor
Overall: This camera is very good quality and is worth its price, no more carrying discs or cassettes. The memory card compatibility is very good and the quality is amazing. Make sure you find a video editor that is compatible with HD recording in mvt2s format though.
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Reviewed by: pqinsheng
Strengths: Great Video when looked at HD TV.
Weaknesses: video format
Overall: Beautiful detail and vivid colors, the resolution is very crisp. SDHC storage is great, no need to worry about tapes anymore. I only used it for a couple of days, but I'm so impressed with the video. Only complain is the video format, need a really fast computer to process. Great buy.
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Reviewed by: samuela613
Strengths: High-Def quality; Optical stabilization; No moving parts; basically silent, lightweight; records on inexpensive SDHC; No more FF/RW tapes.
Weaknesses: Batteries are expensive. Some ports inconveniently places. Succeeder model SD5 is out (with a shorter zoom, though).
Overall: Where to begin? The Panasonic HDC-SD1 is compact, lightweight, and accepts SD-HC cards (and includes a 4 GB to get you started). It is well shaped and almost a dream to use. Zoom is easily toggled each way while recording. Controls are within one-handed reach; usually you can get away with one-handed shooting, though two-handed is best, because it lets you stabilize and "guide" the cam more than using only one hand. Tripod mount works well, though you cannot change the battery while it's attached. The included charger will either charge the battery or power the camcorder while at the PC, but will NOT do both simultaneously. The quality of the videos are gorgeous. No artifacts that I could see, and it runs full screen on my monitor and looks simply stunning. I even took a video in street light on a moonless dark night, and most of the video was watchable, all without any external flashes. The ability to skip back and forth on an SDHC is priceless when compared to the long waits and seeks and stops when compared to MiniDV or other tapes. Personally, I held out on buying a camcorder until I could get Hi-definition, and not feel like it's the 70s again, buying tapes. Given the installation of the correct codecs, the videos shot by this cam are all set to have the PC play them. The zoom is incredible, too. The lens itself is 12x, but with digital zoom, you can get it up to 30x, which is quite far, though beyond that, you definitely need a tripod to keep the cam from shaking. Unlike a camera's digital zoom, I did not see any problems with it, and, particularly if you're re-rendering for DVD, the video will be "resized" down, which means there's less likely the digital "zoom" will be noticeable, except, perhaps. The Cam comes with a class 2 (slowest speed, but fine) 4GB SD-HC card, which will give you between a little under to a little more than an hour of recording, depending on the circumstances. This is about as much time as the battery can do, as well. It does have manual focus, but I've left it on Auto and it's always done well, even with tricky light like sun coming through shades behind the subject in a dark room. Oh, it comes with a remote control, as well, which is useful when you have it on the tripod. Reception is a bit picky, but it's fine if you hold the remote near the bottom and aim "up". Audio. Sound is 5.1; I'd love to hear some movies like that; my speakers are only 2.0 Note: The power cable plugs in behind the screen, so you have to be careful it doesn't fall over, because if it would fall, the screen and parts could get damaged, since the screen must remain open the entire time. The HDMI is on the back (grip) other side, so nothing interferes, there, so you can connect it to a TV on your own battery's juice, with the cam NOT plugged in. It will also allow you to record while plugged in, even if you have already discharged its battery. I tried a tripod and it works; the edit bag is great, too. I wish I could find a battery for under $50, though. For editing, I use Pinnacle Studio 11 PLUS. Get Studio Ultimate, if you buy this cam. You can then output 5.1 audio to CD, too. I am very happy with it. Enjoy.
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Reviewed by: RossTelson
Strengths: Sharp, Well-saturated Pics - both video and stills - from a remarkably compact, lightweight, and silent camera.
Weaknesses: Requires second battery and SDHD card to record more than an hour at a time; slow video download; some quirky user interface issues (see comments)
Overall: Not to repeat all of what user pmamut shared (which I agree with), I have the following observations based on ~ 11 hours of video and ~ 500 stills: - Surprisingly nice stills - good enough not to have to carry two cameras if you're just looking for decent snaps. - Flash stills tend to over-expose a little - even with flash intensity reduced - Excellent video and very good still saturation and crispness but with slight green-cast (correctable with photo editing software) - Use of video-fade-in has to be reset prior to each recording segment and, when used, video preview show as black window - completely useless. Video preview should capture after fade-in. - Many settings can't be changed while recording. - Vendor software seems rushed to market. Aftermarket software selection is very limited. - Flipping screen to view from lens-side removes useful display information. - Down-side issues must be anticipated when buying on the leading edge of technology.
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Reviewed by: gaodeal
Strengths: Small, impressive video quality, SD as storage media, 3CCD
Weaknesses: Not easy to use one hand to control all buttons. Software support for the video is far less than enough. Battery life is not long. But I can not complain too much coz it is the first SD HDC.
Overall: I was shock by the small size and the high definition image with this camcorder. 3 CCD make outstanding video quality. Using SD as storage is the main stream of the future direction. Very satisfied with this order. But battery, software support, and controllability is not that good as the quality of the video.
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