Panasonic HDC-SD1 review

Most HD camcorders use the High Definition Video (HDV) format.

This uses 25Mbit/s MPEG2 video, which is stored on 13GB Mini-DV tape. Tape isn't the most convenient storage format, though, as you have to transfer the footage to a PC in real time before it can be edited.

Panasonic's 1080i HDC-SD1 is the first camcorder we've seen to use a new format called Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD). AVCHD uses the more advanced H.264 codec for better video compression, requiring just 13Mbit/s for high-quality footage. The lower bit rate means that AVCHD video requires less disk space than HDV footage.

This is one of the reasons why Panasonic has chosen to use SD memory cards for its HDC-SD1. As a 2GB card can store only 20 minutes of footage, Panasonic has also provided support for SD High Capacity (SDHC) cards and includes a 4GB card in the box. This will hold 40 minutes of video, which is good enough for many purposes but isn't enough for a wedding or holiday. You can also buy 8GB cards for around £40, which will give you a more respectable 80 minutes of video.

The key advantage to using memory cards is the easy transfer of video to your PC. Sadly, you'll probably need a new memory card reader to read SDHC cards. Alternatively, you can hook up the camcorder to your PC using the USB interface.

The HDC-SD1 is the first we've seen with an HDMI connector, so you can easily connect it to your HD TV for playback. Alternatively, component output is provided for those with older HD TVs.

The camcorder is compact and attractively curvy. It has all the features you'd expect on a camcorder at this price, including optical image stabilisation, an automatic lens cover and a high-resolution 3in LCD. There's no viewfinder, with the rear taken up by easy-to-use controls. The battery is tucked away inside, which looks neat but prevents you fitting a larger one. Fortunately, it lasted for an impressive 88 minutes of continuous shooting. There are only basic manual controls, and there's no accessory shoe, either, so the HDC-SD1 is very much a point-and-shoot camcorder for casual users.

It uses three CCDs together to capture video. Colours are accurate, there's plenty of detail and the camcorder dealt well with a variety of lighting conditions. In good lighting it can't compete with Canon's HV10, displaying more noise and less well-defined edges. However, it's still a big step up from even the best standard-definition camcorders.

This is a compact camcorder that's simple to use. Video quality doesn't quite match up to the HDV models we've seen, though, and using SDHC cards is more expensive than tape. Still, it's undoubtedly a well-designed camcorder and if you're desperate to move away from tapes it's a good alternative, though a little expensive.