Panasonic HDC-SX5 Camcorder Review

by Michael Perlman
Published on Oct 17, 2007 4:45 PM

Intro Performance
Format
 Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Comparisons / Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery
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    Specs and Ratings  


    Compression (5.0)
    The Panasonic HDC-SX5 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) uses the AVCHD compression for its high definition video. We did not see any major improvement since its implementation in the first-generation models. AVCHD still lacks the crispness of the HDV compression, fuzzing up the image with more compression artifacts.

    From its outset, the AVCHD format has been difficult to work with. Editing compatibility has seen an increase in the last year, but it’s a gradual progress. Even programs that do work with the footage do so at a snail’s pace. It’s a frustrating process.

    There are three quality settings: HG (13 Mbps), HN (9 Mbps), and HE (6 Mbps). The HG setting records at 1920 x 1080, and is a constant bit rate. The two lower settings record at 1440 x 1080 and are a variable bit rate. AVCHD write speeds are limited by the media onto which the video is recorded. DVDs can’t write as fast as disk drives and flash memory. Most of the latter category have a max of 15 Mbps. Because the HDC-SX5 records to two media, they could have had multiple options – one speed for DVD and a faster one for SDHC cards. Panasonic instead chose a compromise of 13 Mbps.

    The camcorder also records standard definition video, but only to DVD, not memory cards. There are three quality settings in standard definition: XP (10 Mbps), SP (5 Mbps), and LP (2.5 Mbps).

    Media (8.0)
    One of the biggest draws to the HDC-SX5 is its ability to record high definition video to both DVD and SDHC flash memory cards. This creates a flexibility desperately needed for high definition video, which takes up large amounts of space. A single-sided disc holds only 14 minutes of video in the highest quality. Compare this with an 8GB SDHC card holding 80 minutes Those who can’t afford to purchase an 8GB card after they’ve dropped close to $1,000 on a camcorder have the option of recording on DVDs for the time being. Factors like this make the HDC-SX5 a high-value camcorder.

     
         

    Compatible DVDs include –R, –RW, –RAM, and –R DL (Dual Layer). Single-sided discs can holds 14 minutes in HG quality, 21 minutes in HN, and 31 minutes in HE. Dual layer discs can hold a little less than twice that.

    A 2GB SDHC card holds 20 minutes in HG, 30 minutes in HN, and 45 minutes in HE. A 4GB card holds twice that, and an 8GB card holds twice as much as a 4GB card.

    Editing (4.0)
    AVCHD files are a pain to work with in most regards. There are now a handful of editing programs compatible with AVCHD, but chances are if you didn’t buy it in 2007, the programs you already own will require an upgrade or a total replacement. Since the files are so large and complex, it requires a great deal of computing power to decompress and edit. Set time aside for the task.

    The camcorder ships with HD Writer 2.0. This is a Windows-only application, and requires Service Pack 2 for XP users. Like most other in-the-box software we’ve seen before, it performs the very basic tasks of creating a home movie, and nothing more.

     

     

     

     



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