Panasonic HDC-SD60S SD Based Hi-Def Camcorder with 35X Intelligent Zoom (Silver)
by Panasonic
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PanasonicRelease Date: 2010-05-01
Model: HDC-SD60S
Color: Silver
Product features:
- 2-11/16" widescreen LCD
- 25X optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 1500X)
- High-definition video resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Optical image stabilization
- Face recognition tracks your subject within the frame (up to 6 registered subjects)
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD60S SD Based Hi-Def Camcorder with 35X Intelligent Zoom (Silver)
Customer Review: Great low light performance but white balance problems
Summary: 4 Stars
Note: This item is identical to Panasonic HDC-SD60K SD Based Hi-Def Camcorder with 35X Intelligent Zoom (Black)
And it is identical to Panasonic HDC-TM55K Hi-Def Camcorder with 8GB Flash Memory & 35X Intelligent Zoom (Black) except for the storage(memory) options. The Panasonic HDC-HS60 Hi-Def Camcorder with 120GB HDD & 35X intelligent Zoom (Black) is also identical in shooting performance, but the large 120GB hard drive makes that model larger.
I have only used it a few times, but here are some important attributes I've noticed so far:
This camera takes 1080i, not 1080p. Also, it ONLY takes 1080i. There is no option to take 720p or any other resolution besides 1080. This is a bit of an annoyance for me, as the video must be converted if I want to share the video with other people at smaller file sizes.
Low-light and indoor performance is GREAT. This was a very important feature for me as I plan to do a LOT of indoor shooting, and this model delivers. Very low light conditions (indoor lighting at night) produce some grain but it's still acceptable on my 42" 1080P LCD.
The real optical zoom on the model is 25X, NOT 35X. The "Intelligent Zoom" is a digital zoom mode that supposedly sacrifices minimal quality. You can change the zoom settings, but the factory default is 35X intelligent zoom.
I have taken full quality (1080i) video on class 2 SD cards, and it seems to work fine.
The auto white balance is very inconsistent. I believe the camera is designed to automatically switch white balance based on the light source, but the algorithm is far from optimal. I will end up with red/blue tinted footage just by zooming in on yellow/white/beige items around my room. There is an option to select and lock the white balance so it is not a dealbreaker, but I wish the automatic white balanced worked better.
The battery is charged while mounted to the camcorder, and there is no separate charger. However, the camcorder MUST be turned OFF to charge the battery. I find this setup strange. I want to charge the battery while shooting/reviewing footage, I will have to buy the optional battery charger accessory. On the up side, the battery life is actually BETTER than what the manual states.
The camcorder is supplied with a hand strap, but there is NO neck strap. Because the camcorder is so light (even when compared to my ultra-compact mini-DV camcorder) I believe a neck strap is not necessary.
There is NO accessory mount. There is no hot shoe, NO threading on the lens. But there is a tripod mount and it is actually metal-reinforced. YAY!
Description of Panasonic HDC-SD60S SD Based Hi-Def Camcorder with 35X Intelligent Zoom (Silver)
HDC-SD60 is perfect for users wanting portability, without sacrificing HD quality. New Panasonic HD camcorder features a 35.7mm wide-angle lens, ideal for capturing a variety of different shooting situations, such as self-portraits, indoor group shots and outdoor landscapes.
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