Panasonic HDC-SD5. A couple of Q's

[soulfly]

Hi,
Been looking round for a new camera. I would like a hi-def one. I have a budget of upto around £450. I understand I will not get the best with this price. Originally I was considering the Sanyo Xacti HD 1000 but upon researching a little it doesn't exactly get glowing reviews and more importantly there seem to be a lot of problems reported using it with a Mac particularly at 1080.
I then came across the Panasonic HDC-SD5. I like the look of this machine a lot and it gets great reviews and works great with a Mac including Imovie 08.
As I understand it this camera has now been discontinued and replaced with a newer model. Does this camera still hold up well today compared to say the newer version? Also I have a Macbook which is just a few months old with 2 gig ram. Will my mb be able to handle some simple video editing? I will eventually get a mb pro or an Imac but that's a long way off at the moment.
Thanks for any help.
Cheers, Rich

[rhubarbe]

I think that the SD5 will do you a good job. Yes, there is always a new one out or just around the corner but they'll be a lot more than £400. And they aren't always that much better, either.

[soulfly]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I reckon it will be a nice bit of kit. Any ideas on the macbook question?
Cheers, Rich

[rhubarbe]

Sorry, I don't use a Mac...

[soulfly]

Oh, OK
Anyone else?
Cheers, Rich

[redsox_mark]

I can't answer the mac question either... but SD5's are hard to find, they supposedly "sold out" very quickly, which is why the SD9 came along so quickly after it.

[rhubarbe]

Scan.co.uk had some the other day @ £450. Free delivery to AVF members.

No, I don't work for them.

[stevep94]

Just be a bit careful if you are gonna be wanting a spare batter for the SD5 as they are a little tricky to get hold of!! (at a reasonable price anyway!)

SteveP

[rhubarbe]

They are at the moment, yes, but the bigger battery, the VW-VBG260E-K is available everywhere:

VW-VBG260E-K:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=VW-...006-38,GGGL:en

Oodles. OK, sticks out the back a bit..

[soulfly]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

They are at the moment, yes, but the bigger battery, the VW-VBG260E-K is available everywhere:

VW-VBG260E-K:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=VW-...006-38,GGGL:en

Oodles. OK, sticks out the back a bit..

Hi,
Ouch!! £120 for a battery. Thats a bit steap

As for the camera I have found them in stock for £434.95. Not bad price.
Cheers, Rich

[rhubarbe]

Yes, that's good. Also while I remember the bigger battery won't fit the SD5, just the SD9.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by soulfly

As for the camera I have found them in stock for £434.95

That is a good price pray tell us where.

[soulfly]

Here

[soulfly]

I am debating on the newer model. Well over my budget so would be buying next month or so. Is it worth the extra cost or should I just buy now and save the extra outlay. The extra could buy me a battery and mem cards.
Decisions decisions
Cheers

[alpine101]

Originally Posted by stevep94

Just be a bit careful if you are gonna be wanting a spare batter for the SD5 as they are a little tricky to get hold of!! (at a reasonable price anyway!)

SteveP

I'm building myself an external power source using a 9.6V RC model battery stick and an adaptor cable. Cost should be around 15 pounds, the same price that the proper battery SHOULD sell for... Panasonic's Li Ion batteries are a total ripoff. And it's only as an emergency standby.