Panasonic HDC-SD60

Review: Panasonic HDC-SD60 (AVCHD)

Panasonic’s HD camcorders have helped put its UK business in pole position where HD camcorders are concerned – but will the SD60 help to keep it there?

As one of a family of four similarly-specified models that offer a variation in recording media such as 16GB twin-memory (HDC-TM60), 8GB twin memory (HDC-TM55) and 120GB HDD plus SD memory card (HDC-HS60), the new HDC-SD60 enables recording of HD video and stills to SD memory cards only and is available in a choice of Black, Red or Silver colour options.

Panasonic HDC-SD60 AVCHD Camcorder in Silver - and spot the mistake in this image!

If you examine the HDC-SD60 a bit more closely you’ll discover features that you won’t necessarily find on last year’s models although – in many respects – the SD60 picks up where last year’s sell-out model, the HDC-SD20, left off. This year, Panasonic has at last provided a larger 1/4″ CMOS image sensor, which compares favourably to the 1/6″ sensors found in its predecessors and something we welcome greatly. Regular SimplyDV readers will know that we’ve long ben campaigning for the inclusion of larger image sensors on entry-level HD camcorders due to the fact that it’s in lower-light situations where many people will be recording – and larger CMOS sensors help to resolve better quality images in lower light.

The result, in this particular case, is greatly-improved performance in lower light, especially indoors in the shade or at dusk, as well as improved definition and colour resolution in optimum lighting.

Four recording quality settings

Like its three siblings, it generates full 1920 x 1080 / 50i image sequences at four quality settings, of which the highest is “HA” (17Mbps). Like all other AVCHD camcorders in the current range, the HDC-SD60 uses the MPEG-4/AVC H.264 high definition video compression system to save 1920×1080 / 50i movies to the selected memory using the following settings:

• HA: 17Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HG: 13Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HX: 9Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HE: 6Mbps (1440 x 1080 VBR

There’s no 25p progressive scan option (which, let’s be honest, would be a tall order at this price point right now), though it does provide both 16:9 HD and 4:3 standard definition modes, with the added option of outputting either via HDMI cable (not supplied), component digital or AV composite video (cables supplied). Movies and stills can be transferred to a Intel Mac running Mac OS10.5 or higher using the USB cable or by inserting the card into a reader.

It’s good to see Panasonic forging ahead with SDXC memory card capabilities at a time when other manufacturers aren’t; the SDXC-compatible memory card slot, which enables users to take advantage of the maximum 64GB SD card capacity and provides 6 hours 20 minutes recording time at the highest “HA” setting when using a Class 4 SDXC card.

Also provided is a 3.02mm to 75.5mm (25x) optical zoom lens which is supplemented by what Panasonic calls a 35x “i.Zoom” digital zoom extension. Despite being digital, it performs very well – which is more than can be said for the camera’s maximum digital zoom offering of 1500x. The lens itself produces images that look great on a 42″ LCD HDTV, with the zoom action itself being fast and responsive just when you need it to be.

Red Panasonic HDC-SD60 side-on

Other features we’ve come to expect from HD cameras at this price point are PreREC (providing a 3 second standby-cache mode meaning that you’ll never miss the beginning of an unexpected action), six-object Face Detection with name-tagging, Panasonic’s acclaimed Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and more.

Touch-screen adjustments whilst you record

We do like the camera’s 2.7″ LCD touch-screen menu navigation, which is much easier and more intuitive to use than other manufacturers’ systems – not just when navigating around the clearly-designed graphical menu system but also when selecting and adjusting controls whilst recording. It’s certainly better than JVC’s “LaserTouch” system, and an improvement – even – over Canon’s latest touch-screen navigation, which just isn’t as fast or intuitive as Panasonic’s. It’s just so easy to make changes to settings by lightly touching the LCD screen whilst you’re actually recording – and you can simply hide the icons whilst shooting with a single tap of the lower-left of the screen, too.

One thing that can be intrusive is the “Alert Sound” – the beeps that are produced when making menu selections. However,it’s just a question of disabling this in the menu system. Using touch-screen, it’s quite easy to take control of manual focus, white balance, shutter speed and iris using the touch-screen controls. One feature we really like is AF/AE Tracking which enables users to point to an object on screen to confirm a given value (focus, exposure, etc) after which point the software will track the object and hold the setting throughout the clip. So – place a person in the frame and keep it focussed even as he/she moves simply by tapping the screen to register the face as a trackable object, then watch how the SD60′s AF/AE Tracking keeps it in focus – as well as maintaining consistency over exposure, white balance, and so on.

Conclusion

We’re impressed with the way that the SD20′s larger sensor copes in optimum light as well as in mixed lighting conditions, in addition to high contrast ratio lighting (where very light and dark areas occupy the same image). There’s less noticeable picture noise, grey-outs or pixellation as is common on other models at this price point. Battery performance is good too; the supplied Li-Ion battery took 1 hour 35 mins to charge and gave us over 2 hours of fully-operational intermittent usage – 25 minutes more than the manual suggests.

One thing – it’s a pity that Panasonic isn’t including remote control units with products in this range. When the camera is connected to a HDTV (via HDMI cable, not supplied) for playback and you’re seated beyond arm’s length, it’s actually quite handy to be able to access playback controls via the remote from the comfort of your armchair. Only users of Panasonic’s Viera-link will have this convenience thanks to a single combined remote for TV, HDD/Blu-ray players, etc. Pity.

Summary: Panasonic HDC-SD60

• AVCHD Full-HD 1920 x 1080 recording
• SDXC/SDHC/SD memory card recording model
• 35.7mm Wide-angle lens with intelligent 35x Zoom
• iA (Intelligent Auto) with face recognition
• Intuitive operation with touch-screen interface

The SD60′s improved quality image sensor and sleek, easy-to-use design is enough to guarantee the success of this new product in 2010. First-time video-makers looking for superb high definition video in a convenient and easy-to-use design coupled with great price aren’t going to be disappointed.

The competition will have to come up with something exceptional to beat the HDC-SD60 in the coming season!

Find out what others think about this product over at Testfreaks.co.uk

Reviewed by Colin Barrett, SimplyDV. Text copyright Colin Barrett/SimplyDV Ltd 2010. Images courtesy Panasonic UK. Used by permission.

See larger image Panasonic SD60 Full HD Camcorder With SD Card Recording, X35 Intelligent Zoom, X25 Optical Zoom, Wide Angle Lens, iA + Face Recognition - Black (Electronics) New From: £349.99 In Stock Used from: £250.00 In Stock Release date March 1, 2010.