Panasonic HDC-SD5 Flash Media Camcorder Review

The similarity in names might lead you to believe the HDC-SD5 is essentially the same inside as the HDC-SX5, and it is. An identical trio of 1/6in CCDs with 560Kpixels apiece are allied with the same Leica Dicomar optics. So, although this is a three-CCD camcorder, its sensors are very small, which will have an impact on low-light sensitivity. Unlike its direct predecessor, the HDC-SD1, the SD5 offers Full HD recording at 1,920 x 1,080, rather than the anamorphic 1,440 x 1,080, although the latter is available as an option.

..The compactness of the HDC-SD5 makes it a very tempting proposition if sheer portability is a major concern. Image quality may not be as good as HDV, and it lacks a few important features for the enthusiast. However, it still shoots great video and is very comfortable to use - plus the increasingly low price of SD cards mean they could end up being the winner of the current camcorder format wars.

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