Panasonic HDC-SD9 Camcorder
Review

The HDC-SD9 captures and exports video in “full HD,” meaning 1920 x 1080 at 17 Mbps. Previous generations were either a slower bitrate or a 1440 x 1080 image that was stretched for playback. The improvements have gone a long way in reducing the compression artifacting, typified by ghostly after-images in moving objects or blocky bits of pixelation. The SD9 is not perfect, but it’s definitely better than the first-generation HDC-SD1. Performance in bright light is good, though the colors are highly saturated.

Low light performance is hindered by the camcorder’s small imaging chips. The HDC-SD9 has three 1/6-inch CCDs. A three-chip construction generally produces more accurate color in adequate light, but low light capture is largely dependent on the surface area of the chip. The 1/6-inch chip can’t compare with the 1/3.2-inch CMOS chip on the competing Canon HF10 or the 1/2.9-inch CCD on the Sony HDR-CX7.

The Panasonic HDC-SD9’s great allure is surely its size. Measuring less than five inches long and less than 3 inches in width and height, it fits comfortably in a large pocket. In reducing the size, however, Panasonic was forced into some creative redesign. The joystick, which is used for nearly all interfacing, is relocated from its convenient position on the rear to the left side, inside the LCD cavity. Here, completely out of the shooter’s sight, Panasonic’s once-famous handling prowess has taken a backseat.

If you consider yourself a strict point-and-shooter, the automatic controls on the HDC-SD9 should satisfy. For those who fancy themselves more hands-on, this is a camcorder that will allow you to grow as a shooter, boasting a healthy array of manual controls, including focus, aperture, white balance, shutter speed, and gain. However, the Canon HF10 includes most of this and a lot more, as does the JVC GZ-HD6. Also, the manual focus, crucial for HD video, is poorly executed.

Although the HDC-SD9 is extremely compact and light, it suffers from some major handling flaws. Panasonic stuffed the HDMI and DC terminals in the battery chamber, which makes them inaccessible without turning off the camcorder and removing the battery. The built-in microphone is on the top, making it susceptible to noisy scraping from the shooting hand. The HDC-SD9 lacks an accessory shoe, mic jack, and headphone jack. Small electronics are hot, but the HDC-SD9 is sacrificing an awful lot.

Panasonic included a “24P Digital Cinema” mode on the HDC-SD9, a combination of two features. Digital Cinema is Panasonic’s branding term for the new xvYCC color standard. It makes your colors look more natural, but only with HDTVs that specifically support xvYCC. It has the negative side-effect of making the video terribly oversaturated if the TV does not support xvYCC. The 24P is an alternate frame rate to the standard 60i, meant to produce a more film-like look to motion. This works fine on any TV. Unfortunately, you can choose Digital Cinema color without 24P, but not the other way around, so those without the latest HDTVs can’t use either feature.

The HDC-SD9 utilizes the AVCHD format and records to removable SDHC cards. Solid state media is highly durable, compact, and easily accessible. The HDC-SD9 is capable of recording Full HD (1920 x 1080) at a maximum bitrate of 17 Mbps. Editing is not an easy task unless you have a program that supports AVCHD and a powerhouse computer.

The Panasonic HDC-SD9 has two primary attributes—low price and small size. Its video quality is good, but not great. It has limited onboard connectivity, and handling is at the bottom of the totem pole. We’ve watched Panasonic get aggressive on this size issue, for better or for worse. Those who want cheap HD and small size will fall in love with the Panasonic HDC-SD9. Others may want to spring for the Canon HF10.

For a more in-depth review, visit the Panasonic HDC-SD9 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com