Panasonic HDC-SD9EB-S HD Camcorder
from Panasonic
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Customer Rating: 
Model No: HDC-SD9EB-S
Release Date: 12/02/2008
Index: Digital & Electronics
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Digital Box Price: £379.00
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My 1st Panasonic mistake  Sent: 02 January 2009
I have Panasonic TV, DMR EX78HD/DVD recorder, microwave oven and Lumix FZ18 all pretty good and reliable.
This Camcorder is different.
I have used video cameras for 25 years, having gone through portable VHS, Video 8, VHS-C, Mini DV from Sony, Fuji and JVC.
The SD9 is a mistake, very light weight with basic operations by the right thumb. At first it appears to fit the hand snugly but in use becomes uncomfortable and causes cramping of the hand. It has to be used at face level with this type of grip.
Impossible to zoom smoothly, hard to switch modes and hard to hold steady.
The price of an extra battery is a mega joke, VERY VERY EXPENSIVE and the camcorder firmware can recognise none Panasonic batteries and will refuse to work with them, Panasonic will alienate users with this pricing policy.
Software for HD download is clunky and low spec. 5.1 sound is through a close group of microphones on top of the camera and although containing the 5 channels there is no noticeable channel separation.
In low light you are warned to switch to low light mode, this should be automatic.
The Optical Image Stabiliser is effective but appears to cause jitter when panning.
Very disappointing and I hate having to sell new items on auction sites.
What's in the box?  Sent: 12 December 2008
The accessories included in the box are: Battery pack VW-VBG130, AC adapter VSK0698, AC cable K2CT3CA00004, DC cable K2GJYYC00001, Remote control N2QAEC000023, Button-type battery CR2025, AV cable K2KC4CB00027, Component cable K2KZ9DB00094, USB cable K2KZ4CB00011 and a CD-ROM.
Exceeded expectations Sent: 05 December 2008
Wanting to replace my Sony digital8 camcorder with a High Definition model I spent a lot of time deciding on which make\model to go for. I was a little unsure of SD card cameras purely because I was unfamiliar with this technology and was worried about the cost of SD cards but after much time on the internet I found 16gb SDHC cards were now less than £19.00 and SD card camcorders were getting great reviews so I went for it and ordered the PanaSD9EB. Amazon delivered it within 48 hours (top marks) and all I can say is 'what a camcorder' The recordings are simply stunning on our 42" plasma and just as good on the PC. I purchased a high capacity SDHC memory card reader (£9)which makes transferring to PC much easier, the supplied software for editing and playing back recordings is easy to use. The camera is small, neat and comfortable to use. The menu joystick is, as other reviewers have noted, a little fiddly if you have large hands but you soon get used to it. I have no negative comments for this item, it is a little beauty but do budget for additional SD cards, a case and a PC card reader. Still photos are good but they are only 2.1 megapixels so use a dedicated digital camera if top quality stills are what you want. I love it, i'm sure you will.
We use this as a HD mini cam in a TV show Sent: 28 November 2008
This camera is small and compact, we have been using it as a mini cam to make a tv show on SKY channel 413, "The Fast Lane"
Its very user friendly, zoom is super smooth.
Picture quality is razor sharp in good lighting, darker lighting it doesnt cope with as well and picture becomes a little fuzzy like most cameras.
Recording to SDHC saves hours of digitizing for the editor, you can delete shots you dont want.
The remote control works very well.
Build quality is rock solid.
5.1 microphone produces reasonable sound, the only thing thats stops this camera getting the full 5/5 is the fact there is no mic input on it.
Still photos are very sharp and clear.
What got me the moment it came out of the box was the weight, its so light
i will be testing it out in a waterproof case soon as a minicam filming kitesurfing as its light enough to mount in the kite !!!
Its one of the best quality camera's your going to get for this kind of money.
16GB memory stick will get you 2hrs 8 mins on maximum quality on 1920x1080 25p HA
All in all a fantastic camera and i for one will probably have a few more of these excellent cameras.
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Associated digital product categories: Cameras, Photography, Digital Camcorders, High Definition Camcorder,hdc,HDC-SD9,sd9eb,sd9eb-s, Camcorder,Panasonic,High Def Camcorder,3CCD Camcorder,SD, HDC,HDCSD,SD,HDCSD9,SD9,9,HDCSD9EB,SD9EB,9EB |
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