Panasonic HDC-SD600

Review: Panasonic HDC-SD600 (AVCHD)

Whilst we were all getting ourselves geared up for the company’s “700″ series flagship, Panasonic sneaked the new HDC-SD600 in under the radar. We managed to grab one the second it hit UK shores – and here’s what we think of it.

Quite where the HDC-SD600 came from so quickly is anybody’s guess; we were expecting to have a good play with a flagship model when the prospect of sampling an even newer model arose, so naturally we grabbed it.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 1080p AVCHD Camcorder

The new Panasonic HDC-SD600 can, it’s fair to say, be considered as a slight cut-down of the HDC-SD700 model in that it offers just about everything that model has but lacks an external mic input or headphone output.

From that, we can safely assume that Panasonic is pitching this at a market that’s just below the so-called serious enthusiast who wishes to use external microphones and headphones yet seeks the same superb images, thanks to three CMOS imaging sensors. The company has also taken steps to provide users with the option of recording full 50 frame progressive-scan 1920×180 high definition image sequences.

First Impressions

On the face of it, its body styling conforms to that of many of the company’s recent AVCHD models; its pleasing gun-metal grey body and rounded features make handling very easy. Controls are all in the right place and the touch-screen 2.7″ LCD screen facilitates quick and easy operation in both recording and playback modes when shooting either stills or full-specification AVCHD video.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 Showing Inside Detail

The iA (Intelligent Auto) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) buttons are on the upper left of the main body, with 12x Zoom toggle and Photo shot button on the top rear and Mode Switch (Movies/Stills Rec/Play) on the rear above the slide-on Li-Ion battery. All other buttons and switches are located behind the LCD screen.

It’s in the LCD recess where you’ll find a Power On/Off button and a button providing easy access to the means of recording in 1080/50p (60p in NTSC markets such as North America and Japan). 1080/50i is the default setting, so 50p recording has to be activated as required.

A door provides access to the mini-HDMI socket (cable not provided), USB 2.0 (cable supplied) and the AV multi-connector socket for video/audio output to analogue TV and video devices.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 Showing Buttons and Connections

Whether recording in hand-held mode or on a tripod, the SD600 is – like so many of its Panasonic cousins of late – a pleasure to handle. Buttons and controls are all in the right place and even though things like Focus, Exposure and White Balance (etc) have to be achieved using the touch-screen menu system, it enables changes to be made in a way that don’t get in the way of doing what the user intends to do.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 on tripod

It offers the whole range of features we have come to expect on models in this and equivalent ranges.

The SD600 offers Face Detection, Spot Focus/Exposure (touch the part of the screen to set a value, etc), PreREC (always record 3 seconds of video even when in standby so as not to miss an unexpected piece of action) and manual setting of microphone recording levels.

Its touch-screen LCD menu system is easy to operate and has been designed with accessibility and usability in mind. In other words, you don’t get horribly lost like you do in some other systems!

Key Features

The model has been given three 1/4.1″ CMOS (aka “3MOS”) 3.05 megapixel image sensors, each producing an effective movie resolution of 2.53 megapixels in 16:9 widescreen mode for HD, and 2.63 megapixels in standard definition 4:3 ratio.

The HDC-SD600 offers recording to, and playback from, high-capacity SD cards only. Like all other AVCHD camcorders in the current range, it uses the MPEG-4/AVC H.264 high definition video compression system to save 1920×1080 / 50i or 50p movies to the selected memory using the following settings:

• 1080/50p: 28Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HA: 17 Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HG: 13 Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HX: 9 Mbps (1920 x 1080 VBR)
• HE: 6 Mbps (1440 x 1080 VBR

A 64GB SDXC memory card will facilitate recording and playback of up to 8 hours at the highest (HA) recording setting or 24 hours at the lowest. Alternatively (or additionally), by using a 16GB SDHC Class 4 memory card, it’s possible to record approximately 2 hours of full-specification AVCHD at the HA setting. This increases to 2 hrs 40 mins (HG), 4 hrs (HX and 6 hrs (HE) respectively.

Panasonic has given the SD600 a nice wide 35mm lens and an optical zoom ratio of 12x magnification (35mm to 420mm) in 16:9 widescreen. Additionally, there’s an 18x “iZoom” option plus digital zoom offerings of between 30x and 700x ratios. Supplied with the camcorder is a lens hood which occupies the lens’ 46mm screw thread.

The full range of functions is available in Auto and Manual modes, with value adjustments being made by touching the relevant screen choices accessed via the well-designed graphical menu system.

Performance

Okay, down to the essentials. It’s not until you connect up the SD600 to a good HDTV display via HDMI that you begin to appreciate the quality of its recordings. When recording at the full HA (17Mbps) setting and taking care over both settings and handling, you’ll find the recordings to be excellent. Even in fully Auto mode – and when switching in the “iA” Intelligent Auto mode for extra guidance on settings – the resolution of moving images is very good indeed, with colour and contrast ratio being up there with camcorders costing much more. Put everything into Manual mode and exercise care over exposure, focus and other relevant settings and you’ll get even better results.

We found that, in common with many other camcorders in the sub-£1,000 price range, the SD600 tended to overcook images containing hot spots (areas of bright white light or reflections), but by reducing the exposure manually to the extent of one or even two stops we were able to produce greatly-improved pictures. Such problems tend not to be so visible on the camera’s 2.7″ LCD, so the advice is to experiment with the product before using it seriously and check playback on a good HD display.

Panasonic HDC-SD600 On Desk Showing Lens Hood

The option to record sequences in full 1080/50p high definition is one that many users will find difficult to resist. In our tests over a period of three days in the south-west of England, we shot much material in this mode – all designed to provide the basis for analysis. The conclusion is that 50p (50 progressive frames) HD at the full 1920×1080 image resolution is the natural choice when intending to display on a full-HD monitor in PAL video territories (60p elsewhere). What you get is increased clarity within each and every frame – something that’s noticeable when pausing the playback. It’s very impressive.

Also worthy of note is the fact that the top bit rate now offered by the SD600 – 28Mbps – exceeds that of competing models by 4Mbps (Sony, Canon and JVC offer a maximum of 24Mbps). However, there’s a note of caution: if you’re intending to import your 50p (60p) clips from the SDHC/SDXC memory card in order to edit HD movies in either a Windows or Apple Mac computer, you’ll have a problem. In short, very few computer-based applications are yet geared to import 1080/50p or 60p sequences from AVCHD sources such as this.

The best we could achieve was to convert each and every clip from 1080/50p to 1080/50i or – alternatively – to 1280x720p first. Only then could the full range of editing applications provide import and editing support. The moral here is that if you simply wish to playback on a HDTV monitor then shoot 50p; if you intend to edit then consider shooting in its default 50i (60i) mode. Things will improve in time, but that’s the score right now.

Meanwhile, Windows XP/Vista/7 users should note that the software package HD Writer AE2.1 is bundled with the camera. This will facilitate successful import, editing and conversion of clips recorded with the SD600.

Optical Performance

Any lens is, of course, essential for perfect high definition images and the Leica Dicomar lens used here doesn’t let the side down at all. Picture detail is superb, even when shooting in macro, with the zoom function offering a decent ramping-up and down of zooms at the beginning and end of zooming action when using the toggle on the top of the camera (which doubles as a sound volume playback control). It’s also possible to operate zoom using buttons on the LCD frame as well, though not as effective.

The one feature we can’t praise enough is the SD600′s OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation). Hand-held shooting is always susceptible to camera shake, but Panasonic’s OIS really does iron out this unwanted movement in a way that can only be described as miraculous. Our test sequences contained several hand-held zooms in which the OIS was employed, and the shake is virtually eradicated almost to the point where it looked like a tripod had been used. Most impressive.

Audio Performance

Whilst the stereo audio coming from the upward-facing microphone situated on the upper front of the body is perfectly acceptable when shooting in quiet situations or conditions where there’s no wind, it does suffer from the effects of even light wind hitting the pickup. If – as in one of our “beach” tests – you’re recording in windy conditions you’ll end up with audio that’s virtually unusable. Of course, this isn’t unique to the SD600 in any way – it’s a common problem with almost all SD and HD consumer camcorders. However, it does warrant some attention from users when recording in such conditions.

One more problem we noticed with our review sample was that when recording in extremely quiet situations there’s evidence of a fan inside the camera’s body at work. This, we’re reliably informed, is due to the need to cool the three image sensors that generate a lot of heat when going about their work. In the majority of situations it isn’t an issue, but we noticed the effect when recording outdoors in a very quiet moorland scene! Panasonic take note.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding the above problems, the HDC-SD600 will excite and inspire users looking for fabulous full-HD pictures and sound, and will prove particularly attractive to those seeking to shoot in 1080/50p (60p) in order to make the most of their HDTV displays.

Picture quality really is stunningly good and, together with some superb features like OIS and Intelligent Auto shooting, will satisfy the needs of all but the most critical of videomakers.

Summary: Panasonic HDC-SD600

• AVCHD Full-HD 1920 x 1080 recording
• 1080/50p (60p) progressive frame recording
• SDXC/SDHC/SD memory card recording model
• 35mm Wide-angle lens and Advanced OIS
• iA (Intelligent Auto) with face recognition
• Intuitive operation with touch-screen interface

If you’re looking to buy a full-HD camcorder to capture memorable events, family holidays or to grab baby’s first steps and you want to ensure that your clips are reasonably future-proof, then you need to take a seriously good look at the HDC-SD600.

Reviewed by Colin Barrett, SimplyDV. Text copyright Colin Barrett/SimplyDV Ltd 2010. Main product image courtesy Panasonic UK, all other images Copyright the Author.

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See larger image Panasonic SD600 Full HD 1920x1080p (50p) Camcorder with 3MOS Sensor and SD Card Recording - Black (Electronics) New From: £479.99 In Stock Used from: £410.00 In Stock Release date June 3, 2010.