Panasonic HDC-SD1

HDC-SD1 is an AVCHD camcorder unveiled in spring 2007 by Panasonic. It is the first AVCHD camcorder to record onto solid-state media, namely to a secure digital memory card.

Video is recorded in interlaced format with three possible quality settings: HF (13 Mbit/s), HN (9 Mbit/s), and HE (6 Mbit/s). A supplied 4GB SDHC card holds up to 40 minutes of video recorded at highest quality setting. There is no option of recording standard definition video. The video frame has size of 1440 x 1080 pixels, the same size that is used by HDV camcorders.

Audio from the built-in microphone is recorded in 5.1 channel AC3 format. Audio from an external microphone is recorded as 2 channel stereo.

The distinguishing features of this camcorder include:

* 3CCD imaging system
* 5.1 channel audio recording from the built-in microphone
* External microphone jack
* Threaded lens barrel for attachments
* Full manual control of aperture, shutter speed and gain
* Zebra setting
* Focus assist
* Still image mode

The HDC-SD1 has the largest sensors for a consumer 3CCD camera. Other camcorders either use a single CCD system, or a CMOS system, or a 3CCD setup with smaller sensors. Relatively large sensors with low pixel density provide good light sensitivity, while pixel shifting technology allows to obtain high resolution.

Specification

* Imaging System: 3 x 1/4-inch CCD sensors (520,000 effective pixels each), with pixel shifting
* Lens speed: f/1.8
* Filter Diameter: 43 mm
* Optical Zoom: 12x
* Focal Length: 4.0 mm - 48.0 mm
* Image Stabilizer: optical
* Minimum Illumination: 2 Lux (in Magic Pix mode)
* White Balance: Auto/Indoor/Outdoor/Set
* Shutter speed: 1/60 s (1/50 s) - 1/8000 s
* Viewfinder: No
* Manual focus ring: No
* LCD Screen: 3.0 inch (250K pixels)
* Headphone Out: No
* Microphone In: Yes
* Accessory shoe: No
* Tripod socket: Yes
* Recording media: SD/SDHC solid-state memory cards (4GB Class 2 card is included)
* Video format: AVCHD 1440 x 1080, interlaced
* Recording modes: HF (13 Mbit/s, CBR), HN (9 Mbit/s, VBR), HE (6 Mbit/s, VBR)
* Still picture size: 1920 x 1080 pixels
* Input ports: microphone
* Output ports: AV, component, HDMI
* USB: 2.0 High Speed (mini B)
* Weight: 430 g

Reviews

* [http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-HDC-SD1-Camcorder-Review.htm Review by CamcorderInfo]
* [http://danlin.net/2007/03/31/first-impressions-of-the-panasonic-hdc-sd1-camcorder/ Hands-on review by Danlin]
* [http://www.navagear.com/2007/03/panasonic-hdc-sd1-high-definition-camcorder-review-part-1 Hands-on review by Navagear]
* [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,129478/article.html Review by PCWorld]
* [http://www.avchduser.com/articles/canon_HF100_vs_panasonic_SD1.jsp Review and comparison to the Canon HF100]

Tips and video samples

* [http://www.avchduser.com/articles/avchd_to_bluray.jsp Backing up AVCHD video onto DVDs]
* [http://www.vimeo.com/sd1 Videos shot with the HDC-SD1 on Vimeo]
* [http://www.savefile.com/files/1512404 Raw clips with full folder structure]