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July 29, 2007

Panasonic Unveils Two AVCHD Camcorders: HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5

By David Kender
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July 30, 2007 – AVCHD camcorders made another big stride today as Panasonic announced the release of two new models. The HDC-SD5 ($999.95 MSRP) is a follow-up to the HDC-SD1, recording high definition video to SDHC flash memory cards. The second camcorder, the HDC-SX5 ($899.95 MSRP), is a new hybrid model, recording to both SDHC cards and DVD. Both new models feature full 1920 x 1080 capture, an improved optical image stabilization, and smaller, lighter bodies than their predecessors.
 
The HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 were shown to the press at an event in mid-July, which emphasized a Panasonic-centric HD family of products, including their line of HDTVs with SDHC card slots and a new 8GB SDHC card, expected to ship in September. "People expect higher capacities," stated Richard Campbell, Vice President of Imaging for Panasonic Consumer Electronics. "They want technology that lasts longer… that seamlessly works with other products."
 
The HDC-SD5 bears a striking resemblance, both physically and feature-wise, to Sony’s HDR-CX7, which records AVCHD video to their proprietary MemoryStick card format. While the CX7 records 1440 x 1080, the same resolution as last year’s Panasonic HDC-SD1, the new HDC-SD5 captures 1920 x 1080 (as well as 1440 x 1080 at lower bit rates).
 
The imagers, too, have been modified since last year. The resolution remains the same, three CCDs, each packed with 560,000 pixels. The size has been reduced, however, from 1/4" to 1/6" on both new models. This is expected to reduce low light performance.
 
While the HDC-SD5 is more or less a simple update on its predecessor, the HDC-SX5 is something new. Panasonic has released "hybrid" camcorders already that record to multiple formats. This is their first hybrid in HD, and also the best combination of media. The SDHC card offers speed and portability, while the DVD speaks to the ease-of-use market, seeking instant playback on a home DVD player, as well as archivability. The HDC-SX5 is also unique in its ability to record both AVCHD and standard definition. The HDC-SD5 records only in AVCHD.
 
Both new camcorders include a revamped optical image stabilization (OIS) that corrects approximately 4000 times per second (8x faster than the OIS on previous models). Another new feature found on the camcorders is Intelligent Contrast control. This feature, which can be turned on and off in the menu, is meant to prevent lost information in highlights and shadows.
 
The lens systems on the HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 are identical. Each feature a Leica Dicomar 10x optical zoom (700x digital zoom), f/1.8 – f/2.8, with a focal length of 3.0 – 30.0mm (35mm equiv = 42.9 – 429mm), and a 37mm filter diameter.
 
Ports on the camcorders include AV-out, component-out, HDMI, USB, and an SD/SDHC card slot. The HDC-SX5 includes, in addition, a DVD loading bay and hot accessory shoe. Neither camcorder has a mic or headphone jack.
 
The HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 ship with a new software package, HD Writer 2. Upgrades from the previous version include AVCHD playback drivers, MPEG-2 conversion, and the ability to export frame grabs.

The new camcorders will ship in September. The HDC-SD5 retails for $999.95 (MSRP) and the HDC-SX5 retails for $899.95 (MSRP).




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