Panasonic HDC-SD9 Flash Media Camcorder

This review is based on my experience, having used this camera for two months, as well as some of my researching done before deciding to buy it.

The Panasonic HD_SD9 is a very small high definition palm held camcorder. At the time of writing Panasonic claim that it is the smallest in the world. It achieves this size by eliminating the mechanical tape drive. This means the only moving parts are located in the zoom lens system. It records on to SDHC memory cards which are descended from the popular and familiar SD card. The HD_ SD9 uses a new recording format called AVCHD which has been developed as an alternative to tape and DVD based devices. On the camera’s best quality setting a 4 GB SDHC class 4 (or better) card can hold about half an hour of recording

Panasonic’s efforts in minimizing the size means the viewfinder is restricted solely to the fold out LCD screen. This has a multi axis hinge which allows viewing from many angles. When viewing from the front of the camera when filming oneself the image is automatically shown in the correct orientation. The viewfinder is purely a display device (not a touch screen). When the viewfinder is open most of the controls are exposed including a minute joystick which selects various operations. It is tricky to use at first but becomes easier with practice,

Panasonic have devised a series of logical menus for the camera functions, and an automatic set of supplementary hints aimed at new users. I think that most users will be operate this camera in automatic mode. This gives reasonable results although under difficult lighting conditions some bright subjects can burn to white.

Used outdoors on a sunny day the results are very good although the colour is somewhat oversaturated. By contrast under dim light the benefits of having high definition fade and the resulting image is much less distinct. To be fair to get an image at all under low light is a bonus, most cameras will struggle under these conditions.

The image is generated by three CCD sensors which generally produce better picture quality than single sensors under good lighting conditions. One sensor for each primary light colour. Most high quality and professional cameras use 3 sensors.

The lens is a 10x zoom by Leica, in 35mm terms the focal length range is close to 43 - 430mm f1.8 - f2.8. The Autofocus system works well and one does not feel obliged to use manual focusing. (Manual focusing is an option and is set by the joystick, this is almost impossible to achieve. A focus lock facility would be far more practical and useful).
The auto focus does struggle under low light conditions and views lacking vertical detail. These conditions affect almost every consumer autofocus system. The HDC_SD9 does suffer quite badly from lens flare. Point light sources will produce an exaggerated vertical star-burst effect. Finally on the optical front Panasonic have also provided an optical image stabiliser (OIS). Most manufacturers provide some form of image stabilisation these days. Small light cameras benefit greatly from this system. The HDC_SD9 is no exception and it works well. For better stability a monopod or even better a tripod should be used.

A useful feature that this new tapeless technology provides is that of a three second pre record buffer. This allow you to record the framed subject three seconds prior to pushing the record button. For example recording the start of a race. Again do not forget to keep the subject framed.