Panasonic HDC-SD1 Camcorder

Nice camera, picture is perfect, bit clumsy with the button design, but once you get the hang of it works great.

Before I get to the main review, I have to mention that, contrary to misinformed reviews, there has already, for months now, been software out there to edit the HDC-SD1's AVCHD footage. (Pinnacle Studio Plus or Ultimate and Ulead's software come to mind; I use the former). And not only is there software to edit it, but with a simple download of a codec pack, you can copy the individual movies straight off the SDHC card on to your computer, and watch them INSTANTLY with no rendering needed. So this camcorder is really as versatile as you could want. Review: First, I have used my SD1 for almost a year and it has never let me down. The SD1 takes high-quality 1440x1080 (1080i) HD video using the AVCHD codec. This is a very efficient codec, but requires a modern nicely-equipped computer to edit or even watch in its native resolution. Figure a Core 2 Duo 2+ gHz with at least 128 MB video RAM and 2 or 4+ GB of system RAM. The lens features optical image-stabilization, which... Read more

Others have extolled the very good picture quality of this camera, but you can't do much of anything with them. For now you have to be content looking at the unedited video played back from the camera directly to your HD TV. Your computer is reduced to a mere storage device, as for older footage you have to load it back onto the camera for HD playback, which takes 6-8 minutes for about a full 4GB disk's worth of HD video (a little less than an hour's worth). The software is inexcusably awful. The first thing I did with the bundled HDwriter "EZ-Edit" crapware was accidentally delete my first hour of footage, thinking I was getting rid of the first 5 second "scene" (shot) of the ground and my feet. The manual appears to be correct in that deleted footage cannot be recovered: the program doesn't put the files in the recycle bin as would be appropriately civilized. After a few hours with an Undelete program, and with the help of another computer to figure out the inexplicably complic... Read more

I've had this camera for just under a year and have enjoyed it very much. Like other reviewers have mentioned, finding editing software for the AVCHD format used is a challenge. I use Adobe Premiere CS3 for editing but have to first convert any footage using Nero or other software. The camera is lightweight easy to use and has many great presets as well as offering great image quality. Recording to SD is a great option if you don't want to buy a hard disk camcorder as carrying extra SD cards is much more convenient than the extra bulk of blank tapes. One side note, for recording indoors consider using manual settings for white balance (an easy to find menu option) as full auto can look a little yellow.

The video quality of this camera is excellent. The only issues I have with the camera is the main control switch which is very uncomfortable and constraint of recording time by buttery.