Product Description

World's smallest and lightest Full HD SD/SDHC Camcorder with 3CCD for highest picture quality The Panasonic HDC-SD5 debuts as the world's smallest and lightest 3CCD High Definition video camera*, even smaller than its predecessor model, the HDC- SD1. Recording direct to SDHC Memory Cards and with no moving parts in the recording section, the compact camcorder is exceptionally resistant to impact and tough conditions. The SD5 also introduces a new USB Host function that significantly improves data storage and playback ease. Using a DVD burner VW-BN1 (released at the same time), you can copy or play back video recordings in the original AVCHD format, and enjoy easy high-definition viewing on a large-screen TV. Both the HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 can record full-HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixels plus feature Panasonic's original 3CCD camera system and Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which let users record clear, beautiful, blur-free images with vibrant colours and when viewed on a high-quality big-screen TV are simply breathtaking in quality. Main Features - Leica Dicomar Lens Photographers around the world know Leica Camera AG as a maker of superb cameras and lenses. This company's advanced optical technology has been fused with Panasonic's leading-edge digital technology to create the Leica Dicomar lens. Intelligent Contrast Control This intelligent new function continually measures the ambient light intensity and adjusts the contrast as it changes. Providing control over a wider range of lighting conditions than previous functions, Intelligent Contrast Control helps prevent a washed-out look in bright parts of an image and black-outs in shadowy part. You capture images with natural nuances and contrast. Even when you're shooting toward the light source, Intelligent Contrast Control lets you capture true-to-life pictures with outstanding depth. Wide Viewing Angle LCD Monitor The SD5 and SX5 incorporate a new LCD that has 300,000 pixe

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51645 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: HDC-SD5EG-K
• Released on: 2007-09-01
• Dimensions: 2.64" h x 2.56" w x .53" l, .75 pounds

Customer Reviews

Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder
I have tended to stick to Sony camcorders but decided to try the Panasonic after reading a couple of reviews of it. On receiving the camcorder and opening the box I was amazed at its incredibly small size. The control buttons are all well laid out at the back of the camera and the functions for operating the camera (accessed by the joystick) are easy to understand, the only niggle being the very small joystick which is very fiddly to operate. The camera is very comfortable in use with the side contoured to fit the palm of the hand. The camera gave excellent clear video and photographs due no doubt to the 3 CCD and the Leica lens. The supplied software is very basic but there is another disk with Pinnacle Studio HD but unfortunately this is a trial version. For some strange reason when downloading video or photos to a computer the supplied AC adapter has to be used and this means removing the battery so I suppose a card reader would come in useful here. One big disappointment was that the camera does not come supplied with a SDHC card so you have to buy your own; these are around 50 to 60 pounds for an 8GB class 6 non Panasonic one and hold approx 85min at full HD. All in all I would not hesitate in recommending this camcorder.

An ideal point and shoot camera but beware compatability
I am not an expert and this is my first camcorder. However I decided to go for it because when compared with others in the flesh it is so much smaller, comfortable and better designed.

Having used it now I am very pleased indeed and do not regret the purchase - it is just as I have said above and I find it so convenient to have in my pocket to use as and when. The quality of image seems good and the antishake is excellent.

However the issue is the compatability. We have a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 computer with 512 Mb Ram with Windows XP home and it cant cope with even the normal definition images. I havent dare try it with the HD. As we havent got a DVD writer on the PC we link it to our one year old Panasonic DVD Hard Drive recorder - but note that that cant cope with high definition either. The only way we can play back HD images is direct from the camera itself through a HDMI cable in the back of our Panasonic HD TV. I contacted Panansonic to find out if I would be able to play back using the recommended Panasonic DVD burner (£150)but they said "No" - you have to buy a blue ray DVD player - £350. I have therefore opted to buy some extra Transcend SDHC 8GB class 6 cards (£35) to archive some HD recordings of extra special subjects and to use the normal setting for regular recording and for transferring to the hard drive recorder and then to DVD's to archive.

Nevertheless it is a great camera and it is only a matter of time before the technology is replicated in DVD players at a more realistic price.....or I buy a better computer. Go for it, but investigate what you need to archive and play back first. You can always ring up Panasonic uk for advice. Note:-The format for recording and playing back high definition images is AVCHD - which is not compatable with conventional DVD format.(from page 8 of the instruction booklet!) Hope this is helpful.

Panasonic HD-SD5
We've had this camcorder for 2 months or so now, and are on balance very satisfied indeed. In good lighting its HD recordings are outstandingly good, with accurate, natural and full colours and all the detail that a HD display can show. At best quality I have seen none of the AVCHD compression artefacts that some camcorders produce. It still gives good quality under low light, but when viewed on an HD display there is visible though not intrusive noise. This low-light noise entirely vanishes when the video is reduced to DVD quality, which is up to professional standards. The lens is outstandingly good at all points along its 10x optical zoom. Optical image stabilisation simply works, and can cope with all but serious camera-shake even at maximum optical zoom. Still images are quite good enough for normal use. The stereo microphone is remarkably sensitive, and picks up good stereo imaging, though it is also pretty sensitive to wind-noise. There's a lot of control of video- and image-quality accessible mostly through an easy and sensible menu-system.
The camcorder is astonishingly small, light and easy to handle and use, and the tiny joystick fits easily and naturally even under my huge hands. Battery-life is fine, and will last for the duration of an 8GB memory card, over an hour of HD video at best quality.
The feature-set has been much trimmed: no separate viewfinder, no separate microphone- or headphone-socket, no accessory-shoe. The battery-door on the bottom is rather flimsy and I worry about breaking it; you have to open it to remove the memory-card, and to put in the power-adaptor which must be used when transferring video and still images. Also the camcorder must be removed from a tripod to open this door. By preference we use a SDHC card-reader to get video off the camera, though it can easily be transferred with a USB 2.0 link.
The supplied software is just about usable, but (some!) recent updates of Nero 8 and Ulead VideoStudio 11 work very well with AVCHD, and make the most of the camcorder's HD output.
For point-and-shoot, this camcorder has few if any flaws. It does not have the feature-set for professional work, but that also makes it much easier and simpler to use in practice. It genuinely is a camcorder that you can just sling in a bag or even a large pocket and habitually have with you. And it delivers real quality. Strongly recommended.