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7.1 out of 10

Panasonic HDC-SD5

First seen: 1 may 2007

Information found in: from 47 sources in 21 countries.

Great Deal: $1,299.95

  • User Score (75)
    8.4 8.4 from 75 reviewers
  • Expert Score (8)
    7.9 7.9 from 8 reviewers
  • Design (6)
    7.5 7.5 from 6 reviewers
  • Value for money (7)
    7.4 7.4 from 7 reviewers
  • Features (4)
    6.4 6.4 from 4 reviewers
  • Ease of use (7)
    6.9 6.9 from 7 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • spectacular images, excellent quality of recording, incredible small size, excellent hd camcorder, small and neat
  • low light deficiency, video artifacts, battery memory location, price of cards, no external mic connection

Hi-Def, 3CCD Palmcorder® Camcorder with Included DVD Burner, 1920x1080-Pixel Recording, Optical Image Stabilizer and Leica Lens, Records to SD Memory Card.

  • The HDC-SD5 hi-def camcorder comes bundled with a free Panasonic DVD burner (VM-BN1) included right in the box. Use the camcorder’s USB Host function to connect directly to the burner with a USB cable (sold separately). You can also copy recordings from the SD Memory Card to a DVD disc, maintaining the original f…

The ultra-compact HDC-SD5 camcorder is equipped with 2.7-in wide-angle LCD monitor, 10x optical zoom with built-in optical image stabilizer, and a Leica Dicomar lens for capturing high definition footage with Dolby Digital sound.

Features

The HDC-SD5 captures video on the AVCHD format with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. It uses the 3CCD camera system to record videos with clear images and true-to-life colors. It is also equipped with the advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which minimizes came…

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The ultra-compact HDC-SD5 camcorder is equipped with 2.7-in wide-angle LCD monitor, 10x optical zoom with built-in optical image stabilizer, and a Leica Dicomar lens for capturing high definition footage with Dolby Digital sound.

Features

The HDC-SD5 captures video on the AVCHD format with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. It uses the 3CCD camera system to record videos with clear images and true-to-life colors. It is also equipped with the advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which minimizes camera shake, done by trembling hands, and delivers crisp, clear images. Its Leica Dicomar lens provides 12 lens elements in eight groups, and uses low-dispersion optical glass to reduce color blur. With a special multi-coating process is applied to the lens, chromatic aberration is minimized so images are crisp, clear, and free of flare and glare. The HDC-SD5 also feature the new intelligent contrast control which measures ambient lighting and adjust the contrast as it changes.

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  • Reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD5

  1. Reviewer: Camcorder Info
    30 July 2007

    As usual, we love the feel of a Panasonic in our hands. They generally do a great job with design, and the HDC-SD5’s sleek, compact body sets a new high watermark. The increased resolution over last year’s HDC-SD1 remains to be evaluated. From what we saw of the on-the-floor footage, the AVCHD compression artifacts are still seriously impeding performance compared to HDV camcorders. Doubtless, most consumers are tired of tape and want to move on to a non-linear... Read more

  2. HDC-SD5

    Reviewer: Stuff.tv
    17 October 2007
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Panasonic's done it again. The world's smallest Full-HD 3CCD camcorder is also one of the world's best. Modest cutbacks aside, it's a real gem Read more

  3. Panasonic HDC-SD5

    Reviewer: Let's go digital
    30 July 2007

    Panasonic HDC-SD5 : The consumer trend toward large-screen, high-image-quality TVs is still growing, and broadcasters are increasingly switching to high definition. Video products are evolving along with this trend, moving toward high-definition. As a manufacturer of industry-leading video equipment, Panasonic is responding to emerging demand in the HD video era by introducing a new 3CCD full-HD camcorder, the Panasonic SD5. The Panasonic HDC-SD5 can record full-HD video... Read more

  4. Panasonic HDC-SD5 Review

    Reviewer: Digitaltrends
    30 January 2009

    The new HDC-SD5 camcorder employs cutting-edge imaging technology to capture video recordings that are breathtakingly clear and vibrant, especially when viewed on a high-quality, large screen TV. Read more

  5. Panasonic HDC-SD5 Camcorder w/ VW-BN1 Burner

    Reviewer: CNET
    9 January 2008

    The Panasonic HDC-SD5 is a flash card-based, home-movie camcorder.Compared to other home-movie camcorders on the market, it is midpriced at around $800. Read more

  1. Good camera worth the money (almost)

    Reviewer: Epinions
    6 February 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    This is the first camcorder I have bought since I first bought my monster shoulder carry VHS camcorder (Panasonic). totally solid state camcorder. I have not had any problem with this camcorder or its media transfering files to the computer or saving to the bundled DVD writer. I don't like the artifact of the video but that is inherent of the AVCHD codec that this camera uses. Also the bit rate is compromised by all manufacturers so that the consumer can use any SD... Read more

  2. Panasonic HDC-SD5 Camcorder

    Reviewer: Dave Barker, Pricerunner
    28 September 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Value for money 8
    8.0
     

    I have tended to stick to Sony camcorders but decided to try the Panasonic after reading a couple of reviews of it. On receiving the camcorder and opening the box I was amazed at its incredibly small size. The control buttons are all well laid out at the back of the camera and the functions for operating the camera (accessed by the joystick) are easy to understand, the only niggle being the very small joystick which is very fiddly to operate. The camera is very... Read more

  3. Reviewer: Sazze
    25 February 2009
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    Don't buy this camcorder! Sadly, I am the techie adult in my local family, and when I needed to get a camcorder to record some local sports events, I bought this one with help from the Best Buy sales clerk, mostly because I wanted a HD camera in the $500 price range from a reputable company. I used it on a tri-pod to shoot indoor sporting events from the bleachers. The focus is terrible. What looks clear on the LCD screen while you're shooting, isn't clear when it is... Read more

  4. "My wife and I loved the use of this camera for our vaction."

    Reviewer: CNET
    20 December 2007
    Overall 7
    7.0
     

    My wife and I decided to purchase a camcorder before we went on our honeymoon. We were originally in the market for an HD camcorder with a harddrive. We were misdirected by the salesperson at Circuit City and purchased the HDC-SD5 bundle on accident! We were going to return it until we found 8 GB HDSC cards on Newegg for $30. I was extremely sceptical about how well the camcorder would work with the SD cards. In the end we grew to love it. The camcorder itself is no... Read more

  5. media difficulties

    Reviewer: Shopping.com
    11 January 2008
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    Although neat, small, good resolution, well made and easy to use (except the following), We have not Read more

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