Narrowed it down to a choice of 2

[dapex]

oK, think I ahve narrowed my choice of camcorder down to 2 models now and looking to get yuor guys thoughts...

Looking at either Samsung H104 or Panasonic HDC-SD10.

Both are full Hi-def, both seem on paper to be great camcorders, the panasonic does have a higher optical zoom though.


Any thoughts on the models above?

Cheers

[ajex]

I would vote for the Pana

They know their camcorders for sure..

[dapex]

anyone else got any thoughts or even offer any alternatives I may have missed?

[Kalos Geros]

Panasonic...unless you can get your paws on last year's Samsung HMX20...

[dapex]

Originally Posted by Kalos Geros

Panasonic...unless you can get your paws on last year's Samsung HMX20...

whats so good about the HMX20??

[Tinderbox (UK)]

big sensor , great low light capability.

Originally Posted by dapex

whats so good about the HMX20??

[dapex]

bugger, just looked at the HMX20 on amazon and one review slated its performance under anyhting but perfect conditions.....

My local curries actually has one of these as a display model still....

Is it seriously better than the Samsung H104 or Panasonic HDC-SD10

[A n d r e w]

The HMX20 had a 1/1.8-inch sensor. That's a pretty big sensor - I can't think of a consumer camcorder with a larger one.

The HMX-H104's is smaller at 1/4.5".

And the SD10's is smaller again at 1/6".

See if you can find samples of video shot on each at Vimeo.com.

[Mike-H]

Now i am getting confused, Read an excellent review on Panasonic, then one suggesting the picture quality was not too good.

aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

[dapex]

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!! Thought I was pretty much decided on the panny SD10 and then I read this thread Choosing Family 1080 Camcorder which has thrown me even more. My benchmark camcorder is my Panasonic NV-DS25 which has the following spec

# Type Zoom lens - F1.6
# Lens Aperture F1.6
# Optical Zoom 20.0 x
# Optical Sensor Size 1/4"
# Optical Sensor Type CCD
It does also have a 0lux setting

So, on paper which camcorder would give me as good as or better results compared to the above.

Panasonic HDC SD200
Image Sensor 1/4.1" MOS x 3
Total Pixels 9.15 megapixels　（3.05 megapixels x 3）
Effective Pixels
Motion Image 6.21 megapixels （2.07 megapixels x 3）[16:9]
F Value F1.8(WIDE)/2.8(TELE)
Optical Zoom 12x

Samsung HMX-H104
Sensor Type CMOS
Sensor Size 1/4.5"
No of pixels 2.2M
Lens F Value F1.8 ~ 2.5
Optical Zoom 10x

Panasonic SD10
Image Sensor 1/6" MOS
Total Pixels 1.47 megapixels
F Value F1.8(WIDE)/2.8(TELE)
Optical Zoom 16x
Digital Zoom 40x- 1000x
Focal Length 2.95-47.2 mm
Filter Diameter 30.5mm
35mm Film camera Equivalent 44.1-706mm (16:9)

Please help, on holiday in 2 weeks and really want a new camcorder before then and I simpy cant find a shop that has all 3 in to try and compare.. and most shops dont even have camcorders that can be played with (and shops are always so well lit anyway)

Cheers

[Tinderbox (UK)]

The Panasonic HDC SD200 and it`s family have the best image quality and low light handling of any consumer camcorder at the moment.

But i would love to know how 3 x 3.05 megapixels = a 9 megapixel image

Also consider the extra battery price and larger capacity , if the battery is inside the camcorder (captive) , you might have problems buying no oem battery`s and larger capacitys.

I decided to get the JVC Everio GZ-HD40 , very good image quality and low light handling and a 120gb hdd and mic and ear sockets.

[terrencet]

Regarding the Panasonic SD200 camcorder - great and awful reviews can be found about this high end consumer camcorder. There is reference in one AVforum thread to a bad review from Which, saying the audio performance of the Panny SD200 and the related TM300 is rubbish. Most other reviews are great. Anyone know what the truth is? I was about to buy the Panasonic SD200 but now am not sure. Thanks.