Skip to navigation
Login|Register
Log In

Remember me

RSS Feeds

Panasonic HDC-SD100 review

Verdict:

Review Date: 19 Dec 2008

Price when reviewed: £589

Supplier: http://www.ukdigital.co.uk

Reviewed By: Seth Barton

Our Rating 4 stars out of 5

User Rating 5 stars out of 5

Powered by Reevoo

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.

Prev Next

User Reviews

< Previous   Reviews : Camcorders Next >
Sponsored Links
Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.

(optional)

advertisement

Award-winning Camcorders
Best Buy
Panasonic HC-X900
Best Budget Buy
Samsung HMX-W200RP
Ultimate
Panasonic HDC-SD900

Panasonic HC-Z10000 review

Panasonic HC-Z10000

Category: Camcorders
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: £2,891
Panasonic HC-V500 review

Panasonic HC-V500

Category: Camcorders
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: £400
Panasonic HC-X900 review

Panasonic HC-X900

Category: Camcorders
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: £898
Sony Bloggie 3D review

Sony Bloggie 3D

Category: Camcorders
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: £170
Looxcie LX2 review

Looxcie LX2

Category: Camcorders
Rating: 3 out of 5
Price: £140
Camcorder buying guide

Camcorder buying guide

Find out all you need to know about choosing the right camcorder.

Read more

 

advertisement

Also in this category...
 
Computer Shopper

advertisement


advertisement


 
 

Expert Reviews Printed from www.expertreviews.co.uk

Register to receive our regular email newsletter at http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/registration.

The newsletter contains links to our latest PC news, product reviews, features and how-to guides, plus special offers and competitions.