Panasonic SD1

[dazza1210]

Hello,

Im in the market to buy a HD camcorder, I have narrowed my choices down to the Panasonic SD1 and the Sony CX6, both flash memory based.

Just wondering if anyone has the Panasonic SD1 and would like to share their feedback on it, I am swaying towards this one at the minute as it is about £100 cheaper than the sony.

I have seen alot of sample footage for the Sony and I was very impressed, but cant seem to find any for the panasonic.

I know that Panasonic are bringing out the SD5 in September, but this will probably be out of my price range.

Any help much appreciated

[rhubarbe]

The SD5 is going to be cheaper than the SD1. It's on at 899 Euros at my favourite German supplier right now, though obviously not yet available. The SD5 is smaller than the SD1 but has smaller sensors (1/6th vs 1/4") and a smaller LCD - 2.7" rather than the 3" on the SD1.

The biggest difference is that the SD5 is going to be proper 1920 x 1080, rather than the current 1440 x 1080 anamorphic of the SD1.

I have seen some SD1 footage, though there isn't too much about and found it slightly softer than the CX6 but with slightly more realistic (by which I mean less oversaturated than the Sony, particularly the greens). It's not brilliant in low light.

If you go to the Pana3ccduser forum Guy Bruner has posted a link to a comparison between the SD1 and the Canon HV20 in high and low light. HV20 is better.

The SD1 is slightly bigger than the Sony, it's batteries are closed so you can't get a bigger one, unlike the Sony, the SDHC cards are half the price of Memory Sticks.

Your shout. Me, I'd go for the Sony, just because it's smaller, but then the SD5 is going to be smaller than the CX6, so it's another one of those impossible decisions, I am afraid.

[dazza1210]

thanks for your reply, it is a dilemma trying to decide!

I have had a quick 'play' around with the SD1 in my local electrical store, it was linked up to a HDTV and the picture was stunning!

Hmmm think I will flip a coin and decide from there!