Hi All,

I have a dilemma! I wish to buy a High Def Camcorder and have decided to go for either the Panasonic HDC-SD5 or Sony HDR-CX6, the question is in your opinion which one should I buy?

I have seen and handled both, but not recorded or seen the results of how they record. Visually I like the Sony in every area, but in the spartan amount of reviews that I have managed to find, it seems the Panasonic gives better results overall, but it seems that there is not actually much difference between them. So, should I go with my heart for the Sony or with the reviews/specs for the Panasonic - bearing in mind that apparently they are virtually neck and neck feature and performance-wise?

I am just going to use the camera for normal family stuff, but as I have a 46 inch Sony LCD HD TV it seems a bit silly not to get a HD camcorder to compliment it. Also the fact that they don't use DVD or HDD or tape I find very appealing as its easily transferred to my PC and have less moving parts to breakdown.

Some educated opinions and personal experiences with these machines would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Alex Ford.

[redsox_mark]

I think you can go with your heart. I have a friend with a CX6 and what I've seen from it is very good, he loves it. The reviews I've seen also give the SD5 a slight edge but I think you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference. With the single large sensor the CX6 should be better in low light.

Hi redsox_mark,

Thanks for your reply. I am a bit surprised that there have been no others though....

Alex Ford

[Russ]

Here are some links for you - mainly Sony Related.

Some things to think about;
the SD1 was said to be better specified than the SD5
What will you do with all of your video ? Big question - will it end up on hard disk (big space) or on DVD (until they rot )?
The Sony memory is very expensive
Happy reading

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

http://www.hdr-cx7.blogspot.com/

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=10511

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...JVC-GZ-HD7.htm

[senu]

Originally Posted by Alex_Ford

Hi redsox_mark,

Thanks for your reply. I am a bit surprised that there have been no others though....

Alex Ford

It is new technology and the manufacturers have to gauge the market response before committing to making several models.
their concept is very attractive but for now they are not universally loved..
However it may only be a matter of time before every body owns one..
Sony memory can only come down if the price of SD cards are a deciding factor rather than the camcorder itself

A peculiar problem with AVCHD ( not just cards) seem to be that the format is not one standard .Sony Vegas (Editing software) in ver 7 only supported Sony camcorders, Version 8 has added Canon HG10 (HDD ) .. it isnt inconceivable that an update patch may accommodate Panasonics "version" of AVCHD but as of now it isnt supported

Thanks Russ,

Some I will put on DVD to give out to relations or play on DVD or I will store on a hard drive and they are pretty cheap these days - you can get a 1TB external HD now for around £130.00, as regards card memory well you can get a SDHC Class 6 4GB card from Kingston for £40.00 and lesser well know makes for less than £20.00 here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_...%3Aelectronics

Alex Ford

Originally Posted by Russ

Here are some links for you - mainly Sony Related.

Some things to think about;
the SD1 was said to be better specified than the SD5
What will you do with all of your video ? Big question - will it end up on hard disk (big space) or on DVD (until they rot )?
The Sony memory is very expensive
Happy reading

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

http://www.hdr-cx7.blogspot.com/

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=10511

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...JVC-GZ-HD7.htm

OK thanks Senu,

I have ordered Vegas 8 recently fro delivery in mid October so that should be OK for the Sony, but maybe or maybe not with the Panasonic, but presently I am leaning towards the Sony anyway... The Pana feels really nice in the hand, but looks 'cheaper' (plastic-wise), whereas the Sony also feels OK/good in the hand it just looks better quality, the Sony operating software looks better and has a touch-screen to operate the lesser used controls whereas the Pana has a small joystick at the rear which is a bit fiddly. I know the real story is on how they perform, but if the performance is very similar, which I am told they are, then I may as well go for the looks as well. Also I am not as keen on the battery arrangement on the Pana (esp when using mains), where as the Sony is more conventional battery-wise.

Thanks

Alex Ford.

Originally Posted by senu

It is new technology and the manufacturers have to gauge the market response before committing to making several models.
their concept is very attractive but for now they are not universally loved..
However it may only be a matter of time before every body owns one..
Sony memory can only come down if the price of SD cards are a deciding factor rather than the camcorder itself

A peculiar problem with AVCHD ( not just cards) seem to be that the format is not one standard .Sony Vegas (Editing software) in ver 7 only supported Sony camcorders, Version 8 has added Canon HG10 (HDD ) .. it isnt inconceivable that an update patch may accommodate Panasonics "version" of AVCHD but as of now it isnt supported

[thecount]

I too am looking at the CX6 - I noticed it in my local John Lewis, it just caught my eye and seemed a great size.

I've just done some research and it appears, that maybe, this machine is disconinued. I called JLewis and they said, they only have the one on display and that there would be no more. they were not sure why. I called SonyStyle and they said it was discontinued! an they said that the HDR-TG3 is replacing it? sees a bit odd- I'm no expert, but this other one seems like a totally different thing.

[redsox_mark]

Not sure. The CX6 has been around a while, so I've been expecting it to be replaced; but you are right the TG3 isn't a direct replacement. I still think we will see a replacement for the CX6 as well soon.