Posted on by Why Not

AVCHD Camcorder: Buying Panasonic HDC-SD5

UPDATE: Check out the clip taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5 here.

Yep, I just ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5.

Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder

I have been looking into buying a new Digital Camcorder for a while now. I considered getting an HD Camcorder sometime in Summer (June) 2006. I looked into different models and brands of HD Camcorders, but I never actually got one. That’s due to the price and the media format. The first ones I considered getting were using HD-MiniDV tapes, and cost around $1,300. Price was an issue in addition to the “newness” of prosumer grade HD Camcorder. Late 2006/early 2007 I considered getting Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. For many reasons, I couldn’t get myself into getting a Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. Personally, I don’t like the idea of having a spinning hard drive built into the camera. I considered the battery life, durability, and noise issues. In addition to that, Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders tend to be a little bit “bulky”.

One year passed since I first considered getting an HD Camcorder. I was still using my Sony DCR-HD40 MiniDV Camcorder I purchased back in 2004. I was still looking into getting an HD Camcorder. I heard about the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 on Daily Giz Wiz 312 (part of Leo Laporte‘s TWiT Network). Leo Laporte and Dick DeBartolo were speaking highly of Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2, as they were about Sanyo Xacti VPC-C40 on Daily Giz Wiz 214.

In August 2007, Apple introduced iMovie ’08 (part of iLife ’08 suite), touting many new features including AVCHD support. According to many reports, Apple demos featured numbers of new HD camcorders, including Panasonic HDC-SD5. As always, Leo Laporte and his MacBreak Weekly “co-conspirators” were talking about the said HD Camcorder (MacBreak Weekly 54: HiDef LoTech). Laporte also talked about Panasonic HDC-SD5 on Daily Giz Wiz 407.

I considered getting Panasonic HDC-SD5, and started reading on articles on it. I read the review on CamcorderInfo.com, and was made aware of Sony HDR-CX7.

After reading a lot on both Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7, I was still sitting on the fence. I always like Sony’s NightShot® Infrared System, but I also prefer SD Card than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo. SD Card is generally cheaper than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo.

In September 2007, I posted a question on choosing between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7. Shortly after, a colleague pointed out another contender to my new HD Camcorder lust; Sanyo Xacti HD1000.

The Plot Thickens! I was even more indecisive than ever on getting the HD Camcorder; three contenders.

I decided to test drive all three camcorders before I made the purchase. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find Sanyo Xacti HD1000 in any stores. So the choices for me went back to between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7.

After 3 grueling days of “test-drive”, thanks to the local electronic stores, I still couldn’t make up my mind. Considering all the specs and features, including 3CCD vs. CMOS sensors (Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7 respectively), both models seemed to be “equal”. I like Panasonic HDC-SD5 size which is smaller, but I still want NightShot® Infrared System which is only available on Sony’s Cameras.

Thanks to Amazon.com, I made up my mind. Shortly after visiting a local Circuit City, I checked Amazon.com and found out that Panasonic HDC-SD5 was on sale for $849.99 and it’s bundled with Panasonic VW-BN1 DVD Burner (which carries a sticker price of $199.99).

I finally ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5, and it should be delivered within the next 10 days (I hope).

3 Replies to “AVCHD Camcorder: Buying Panasonic HDC-SD5”

  1. I hope ur enjoying your new Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder. I was wondering if u could tell me about the bundled external dvd burner (VW-BN1), whether it could used as a external dvd burner for computers?

    It is a USB DVD burner. It comes with its own power adapter. It should work as an external DVD burner for any computer. It also comes with a special mini USB to Mini USB cable to connect from the Camcorder to the DVD burner.

  2. Hi,
    Great research, rightnow I am in the same state, on the fence!!! I am looking for clarifications on following issues:

    1. 3CCD (Panny SD5), they capture 560kbs and do the pixel shifting, is the picture quality is comparable to CMOS (sony’s).

    2. Somewhere I read about CCD give better quality, but now Panny reduced its size to 1/6. Is this will have any adherent affect on the picture quality?

    3. How is the in-built microphone’s sound quality?

    Thank you very much for detailed analysis and answers for my query in advance.

    UPDATE: check it out here http://37prime.com/blog/2007/12/14/panasonic-hdc-sd4-video-sample/

    I will post some video I took using Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony’s HDR-CX7.
    The microphone of Panasonic HDC-SD5 is pretty sensitive and produce great audio recordings. I recorded Carlos Alazraqui’s stand-up set using the HDC-SD5 and you can see a You-Tubed clip somewhere in this blog. Just look for it. I will post the higher definition footage soon. As a matter of fact, I’m meeting Carlos Alazraqui tonight, to show him the footage.

    I will keep you in the loop, and please check back.

    v

  3. can you hook up HDC-SD5 to Standard tv to watch the hd footage? in other words does it down-convert the footage?
    Thanks,

    With the analog out (the cables are included), it will automatically down-sample the footage.

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