Panasonic SDR-H60 Camcorder Review

The Panasonic SDR-H60 ($499 MSRP) is the company's top single-chip, standard definition hard drive camcorder, and it packs a wallop when it comes to features: 50x optical zoom and 60GB capacity. Nothing in this price range can beat the SDR-H60, at least on paper. Our testing revealed that the bright light performance could not distinguish itself from the pack, and the low light performance left a lot to be desired. Surprisingly, we found that the step-up model, the three-CCD SDR-H200, was not necessarily the better camcorder, but the SDR-H60 certainly didn't prove itself to be the best value in its class.


 

The Front (5.5)
The Panasonic SDR-H60 has a standard feel and shape, as far as camcorders go, and recalls the looks of most Panasonic camcorders for the past few years. If you want something a little more modern or designer, we recommend checking out the Samsung SC-MX20 or the JVC Everio GZ-MG330 (Review, Specs, $326.11).

The front of the Panasonic SDR-H60,
just a lens and mic

The front of the body is made up of the lens and the microphone. The SDR-H60 has an f/2.0 - 5.0 lens with a focal length of 1.8 - 90mm. The optical zoom extends out to 50x, making it one of the most powerful zoom camcorders on the market – perfect for bird watchers and voyeurs alike. The lens has a manual cover, which is operated by a small switch on top. Below the lens is a built-in stereo microphone. It's well-placed and will likely evade wandering fingers.

The Right Side (4.0)
The right side of the Panasonic SDR-H60 is plain and unadorned, exactly what you want in the grip area. The camcorder has a decently padded hand strap, and the body is designed in such a way that body doesn't tip away from your hand. Overall, it's a comfortable handling experience.

The right of the Panasonic SDR-H60,
plain as can be

The Back (6.0)
The back of the Panasonic SDR-H60 is where most of the interface takes place. The primary tools back here are the mode dial in the upper right, which switches between Off/Video Record/Video Playback/Still Record/Still Playback modes, and the joystick, located directly below it. The joystick is perfectly placed for the thumb, making one-handed operation a snap.

Below the joystick is the Menu button to call up the Admin menu, and below that is the Delete button. In the center of the back is a big record on/off button. On the left side of the back are several more buttons: O.I.S. (optical image stabilization), Power LCD Plus, and DVD Copy. Towards the bottom of the back is a hard-plastic port cover masking the mini-USB jack and AV-out jack.

The back of the Panasonic SDR-H60,
the hub of activity

The Left Side (3.0)
The left side of Panasonic SDR-H60 has a 2.7-inch LCD with a resolution of 123,000 pixels. The LCD spins to face the subject if you like. In the LCD cavity, you'll find three buttons: Auto, Manual/Manual Focus, and reset. The Auto and Manual buttons are different from older Panasonics, which used to have a single switch for these functions.

The left side of the Panasonic SDR-H60	... and the left side with the LCD open.

The Top (6.0)
The top of the Panasonic SDR-H60 is rather plain. Towards the front is a small switch for opening and closing the lens cap. The zoom toggle is located towards the back – a smooth, sliding switch that is well-placed for the index finger. 

The top of the Panasonic SDR-H60
does not have an accessory shoe.