Panasonic HDC-SX5 First Impressions Camcorder Review

It’s funny how quickly tech language changes. Just a short while ago, the term “hybrid” meant a camcorder that can also capture still pictures. Now that we take this feature for granted, the term has been reappropriated. “Hybrid” now refers to camcorders that can record video to two different media, as in the case of the new Panasonic HDC-SX5 ($899.95 MSRP). This is not Panasonic’s first hybrid camcorder. They announced two back in January. The Panasonic HDC-SX5 may prove to be their most successful, though. First, it’s high definition (1920 x 1080 AVCHD), and second, it offers a smart combination of recording options: DVD to satisfy the family shooters, and SDHC cards to satisfy the speed-needy YouTube crowd. Let’s take a detailed look to see if this is a camcorder that could meet expectations.

The Front
The front of the Panasonic HDC-SX5 borrows a lot of its looks from its predecessor, the HDC-DX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99). It appears that Panasonic has chosen, at least for the time being, not to release another purely DVD AVCHD camcorder. The HDC-SX5 features a new Leica Dicomar 10x optical zoom with a 37mm filter diameter. It has a focal range of F3.0 – 30.0mm (35mm equiv = 42.9 – 429mm) and an aperture of f/1.8 – 2.8. Like the HDC-DX1 and HDC-SD1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99), the lens is partially concealed by a matte box that can be screwed on and off. To the side of the lens is the flash. Underneath is the remote sensor. There are no front-mounted ports here, and no manual focus ring, either, sorry.

The Right Side
The right side of the Panasonic HDC-SX5 has an excellent grip, as most DVD camcorders do. The raised, curvilinear design always seems to result in a ridge along the top of the right side that you can hook your fingers around. The adjustable hand strap is not ideal, but the height of the rear tether-point keeps the camcorder from flopping over too far when you let go. For whatever reason, the DVD loading bay still takes an obscenely long time to open after the switch is flipped. We waited more than 10 seconds – an eternity in the modern age. Fortunately, the strap does not block the bay door from extending open.

The Back
The back of the HDC-SX5 is where the action takes place. Like most Panasonics, the camcorder features a rear-mounted joystick which is used for all manual controls and menu interface. The position of the joystick means that one-handed operation is not just possible, but easy. Surrounding the joystick is the mode dial, which is more complicated than many Panasonic camcorders due to the dual media options and the ability to shoot both standard and high definition. Modes on the dial include: HD playback, HD recording to DVD, HD recording to SDHC card, Power Off, standard def recording to DVD, and standard def playback. All in all, it’s pretty confusing. Most of these dials are indicated by icons which will have to be learned through experience or a thorough reading of the manual.

To the left of the joystick/mode dial is the Record button. Above that is the Delete button (a trashcan icon), the Menu button (to access the main menu), and Pre-Red button (the pre-record feature that can hold three seconds of recording in the cache memory before you hit the actual record button). Beneath all of these is the Disc Eject button.

The biggest element on the back of the HDC-SX5 is the VW-VBG260 battery, which is absolutely enormous, just as it was on the HDC-DX1. We love a long battery life as much as anyone, but it does weigh down the total package and makes using the viewfinder difficult. The viewfinder (0.44” widescreen EVF) is located above the battery, and extends out just to the edge of the battery.

Removing the battery reveals the DC power port and HDMI ports. We don’t like any ports hidden by the battery, as a rule. The DC port’s location means that you can’t plug in the power when the battery is running out without interrupting the shot. The HDMI placement is less grave. You’re much more likely to connect to TVs with the DC power plugged in, but battery-powered operation would have been a nice option.

The Left Side
The left side of the Panasonic HDC-SX5 features the 2.7 CD with a huge estimated resolution of 300,000 pixels. If this resolution is true, it’s great news. The LCD got smaller since last year’s HDC-DX1’s 3” screen, and a higher resolution eases the sting.

Inside the LCD cavity is the Auto/Manual/Focus mode switch, the Power LCD button (for an extra bright screen), and the Disc Copy button, for burning SDHC card footage to DVD. There is a small port hatch that lifts up like a garage door, revealing the card slot. To the left of that is another port cover with composite AV-out, component-out, and USB jacks. This port cover is connected by a thin plastic strap.

The Top
The top of the Panasonic HDC-SX5 is simple. Toward the front is the built-in stereo mic. This is a downgrade from last year’s HDC-DX1, which had a 5.1 channel Dolby mic. As far as downgrades go, this is not too bad. The hot accessory shoe, located toward the rear, allows for more mic options and better sound than a built-in Dolby ever could have given you. The zoom toggle is also located on top, well-placed for the index finger. Behind the zoom toggle is the photo shutter button.