Thursday, February 8, 2007
Panasonic HDC-SD1
Posted by Chris Gohlke in "HARDWARE" @ 03:00 AM
"Sony pioneered consumer high-def video—and is slowly bringing the price down. This trend will continue now that Canon and Panasonic have entered the field. Still figure spending at least a grand to play this game. That said the $1,499 Panasonic HDC-SD1 is amazing (due in March). It’s the first camcorder to record high-def to SD or SDHC memory cards—other models use tape and hard drives; and it uses the AVCHD codec like competing Sonys. Since there are barely any moving parts, the -SD1 is as compact and lightweight as can be. You really have to go to a store and handle it. You’ll be just as knocked as I was when I first used a prototype last December. Since this is a very high-end Panasonic, the camcorder uses three CCD chips to record HD video and has Mega O.I.S., the company’s phrase for optical image stabilization. Given all these features, I made myself a pain in Panasonic’s butt at the January Consumer Electronics Show in order to get one of the first production models. They delivered and now it’s my turn to deliver a review… "
Sure, you will be able to get this technology for a lot less in a few years, but if you have a special event (like a wedding or the birth of a child) coming up, I think it is worth buying in now to make sure you are getting the best possible source material that won't look date in just a few years.
Sure, you will be able to get this technology for a lot less in a few years, but if you have a special event (like a wedding or the birth of a child) coming up, I think it is worth buying in now to make sure you are getting the best possible source material that won't look date in just a few years.
