Panasonic HDC-SD1
With the Panasonic HDC-SD1, Panasonic formally entered the steep competition in consumer high definition video recorders. Unlike the HDC-DX1 which records videos in DVDs, the SD1 uses high capacity flash memory cards (SD/SDHC) of 4 gigabytes or higher. It also uses three charge-coupled devices for those sharp images.
The new MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression system makes it possible for excellent quality images to be displayed on high definition LCDs and plasma television sets. The mentioned AVCHD format was developed jointly by several leading electronics companies with Panasonic and Sony at the helm. The system effectively compresses high quality data into small sizes and is said to be the successor of MPEG2-based devices like the standard definition DVD due to the large reduction in storage requirements.
The HDC-SD1 sports a 3” LCD screen, large lens and better connectivity. It’s relatively light, but at a barely 500-gram weight does not compromise stability nor ease of handling. The beautiful chrome and aluminum body also gives it a stylish and professional appearance.
The manual controls of the HDC-SD1 would make it an ideal camera for those who like to tinker with the quality of their videos. There are manual controls for the aperture (or iris), white balance, audio recording as well as level and focus. Other controls can be found in the rear of the device.
A common problem with cameras is how to ensure the protection of the lens. Many cameras include lens caps or covers to avoid dirtying or scratching the sensitive lenses. This is a good feature although some people still tend to forget replacing the cover after using the camera. To address this issue, Panasonic included a built-in lens shutter in the HDC-SD1. When the camera is placed in Recording mode, the shutter opens automatically. When turned off, or placed in the Play mode, the shutter closes to protect the lenses.
Another great feature of the HDC-SD1 which may be a bit too hard to find nowadays in other cameras is its connectivity with additional output or input devices. An external microphone can be plugged in for better sound quality. Likewise, headphones may be installed using the supplied AV-jack adaptor cable.
Most importantly, a lot of people are impressed with the excellent picture quality of the recorded videos using HDC-SD1. Even when recorded at manual exposure, the images still look great with just a few adjustments in the white balance and focus settings. The camera also performs well even in conditions of high-variable lighting.
For those interested in capturing sound such as in concert venues, the HDC-SD1 has a five-element microphone system just for the occasion. It is consistent with the needs of the 5.1 surround system monitoring systems used in theaters and cinemas.
In summary, the HDC-SD1 is one hard camera to beat in the digital high definition video camera technology. It captures great images and videos than any other camera in its category even in low light conditions. It is very easy to use such that amateurs or any one new to using a camera will be able to use it.