Panasonic HDC-SD1 best uk price or import..

[raigraphixs]

Panasonic HDC-SD1

UK model

US model



Amazon.com $799.99 in usa - which is about £440 (Guess-estimate delivery added).


Amazon.co.uk - £680 in uk


So has anyone imported one?, i assume its compatible here.



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[rhubarbe]

Well, it depends what you mean by compatible. The SD1 is an HD camcorder, so it matters slightly less that the US model is NTSC and the UK model is PAL because they will both record 1080i. However, the US records at 30fps and the UK model 25fps. If you have a newish HDTV it'll probably display both NTSC and PAL, and if you intend to use an HTPC as source you'll not really notice the difference.

Burning to DVD to share you video with friends may be problematic, unless they have the same sources as you.

If you intend to film a lot under fluorescent, or sodium lighting (50Hz) with your 60Hz NTSC import, where you will notice flickering due to the phasing, I'd think twice. OTOH, I plan to buy a Panasonic HDC-SD7 and that's only available as an import from Japan.

Don't forget that the US import will be subject to VAT and possibly import duty when it arrives.

[harrinp1]

Also the SD5 is being released next month, and I think it has a slightly cheaper RRP, not sure about street price yet.

[rhubarbe]

It will be cheaper, about £599 if I know my High Street retailers, and I think I do.

Bear in mind that the SD5 loses the 3" LCD of the SD1, down to 2.7", and also the sensors (it's a 3CCD cam) are down from 1/4" to 1/6". Resolution is up though, to 1920 x 1080i from 1440 x 1080i, and it's reckoned that the OIS has had a fettle, too.

SD5 is somewhat smaller than the SD1, too.