Panasonic HDC-SD100 review

Panasonic's HDC-SD9 is compact, easy to use, reasonably priced and produces good-looking HD video.

The new HDC-SD100 isn't simply an update of the SD9, as Panasonic has added numerous features for more serious film-makers, as well as switching imaging from CCD to CMOS sensors, like both Canon and Sony. However, it continues to use a triple-sensor array, rather than the single large sensor preferred by its competitors. This means there's a small sensor for each primary colour - red, green, and blue. The information from these is then combined into a single image.

Despite these changes, the results are not that dissimilar from the SD9. There's plenty of detail in the video, with footage having that almost 3D-quality you expect from HD, and low-light performance has improved a little. However, it suffers from oversaturated colours, which makes the resulting video look unnatural. If you want to shoot in progressive scan mode for a more cinematic appearance to motion, then the Digital Cinema setting exacerbates the colour problem still further.

The SD100 is capable of shooting full HD video, in both progressive and interlaced modes, with a resolution of 1,920x1,080 pixels. It compresses and stores video on SDHC memory cards using the now common AVCHD format. You can get two hours of video at the highest quality setting on a 32GB SDHC card costing around £25 including VAT. Battery life is excellent, with two hours and six minutes of continuous recording.

The most obvious design change between the SD9 and the SD100 is the focus ring around the lens. This is actually a multi-purpose control that can also be used to adjust white balance, shutter speed and aperture size. Selecting these options is a little counter-intuitive, but you'll get used to it with time. There's a handy focus assist mode, giving you a zoomed-in view, so you can fine-tune your focus.

To compose shots, you can either use the LCD or the viewfinder; an increasingly rare option on small camcorders. The latter is very useful when shooting under strong lighting. There's also a cold accessory shoe for mounting a video light or external microphone, plus a microphone input. Casual users will be pleased to see a built-in microphone with support for Dolby Digital 5.1. Audio is certainly crisper than from the SD9, and surround sound is a nice bonus.

The additional features on the SD100 should please those who want to do more than basic point-and-shoot holiday movies. However, the oversaturated colours will probably put off many people. If you're serious about your film-making, then we'd recommend Canon's HF10 (What's New, Shopper 246). For those who want high-quality HD video, then the SD9 is still a bargain at £380 including VAT.

Author: Seth Barton