Panasonic HDC-SD5

Panasonic unveils its 3CCD, fully-specced AVCHD camcorder

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This high definition camera, the Panasonic HDC-SD5 HD is very similar to other HD models. It is in the classic tube shape (not much innovation there) ...

The Panasonic HDC-SD5 delivers fantastic HD video and accessible but clever features in a petite package — we just wish it had more memory.

The Panasonic HDC-SD5 ($999 MSRP) is the latest effort in the race to built the “world’s smallest ,” in this case the smallest 3-chip, 1920 x 1080 HD camcorder. While the camcorder is less than thrilling, and only a minor upgrade to last year’s HDC-SD1, the world in which it lives has changed a great deal. Suddenly, AVCHD doesn’t look so off-putting anymore. Support for viewing and editing is popping up on a monthly basis. The HDC-SD5 does offer an increased capture resolution over last year, which topped out at 1440 x 1080, and a smaller, lighter body. The starting price has also dropped considerably (down $500 from last year). All these facts combined make the HDC-SD5 a lot more enticing than its predecessor. But it is worth diving into AVCHD just year? Let’s take a closer look.

Panasonic’s solid-state 3-chip camcorder is a perfect vacation cam: small and lightweight, with a long lasting, efficient battery. Even better, it shoots 1920 x 1080i AVCHD video to SD or SDHC cards, so if you fill it up on the road you can grab some more memory. Yet while color handling was fantastic and we

As with the Sony HDR-CX7K, this is a solid product let down by the price of its recordable media. We'd therefore recommend it to people who already own a large collection of SD cards (or an even larger wallet).

Panasonic's SD5 claims the smallest Full-HD 3CCD camcorder crown – but has too much been lost shrinking it down from the impressive SD1?