
- Easy to hold – weighs less than a pound
- Image stabilization
- Long-life battery
- Grainy image in low light
- Irritating design quirks
- Limited editing options
- Memory cards aren't cheap
If you want a small, light and relatively inexpensive high-definition camcorder, experts overwhelmingly recommend the Panasonic HDC-SD9. Most reviewers say the Panasonic's video is superb, particularly in bright light. However, nearly all experts and consumers criticize the grainy video shot in low light, and a few find annoying design blunders (such as a power jack hidden behind the battery). However, the soda-can-shaped model still beats other tiny high-def camcorders in tests. The Panasonic shaves inches and ounces by recording to flash memory cards (8 GB cards cost about $20 and can record an hour of top-quality video).
CamcorderInfo.com has the most complete and comparative review of the Panasonic HDC-SD9, followed closely by TrustedReviews.com. CNET's write-up is shorter, but it is appropriately critical and includes a video review. The New York Times compares the Panasonic HDC-SD9 with two competing tiny HD camcorders in a hands-on test. We also found useful owner reviews at Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
CamcorderInfo.com compares the Panasonic HDC-SD9 with four competitors, concluding that Panasonic has indeed managed to pack a decent HD camcorder into a tiny package. However, editors note several trade-offs that were made in the process.
Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 Camcorder Review, David Kender, March 4, 2008
In a lengthy review, James Morris touches on features some other reviewers skip, including the HDC-SD9's battery life and face detection. Editors say it's a good choice for everyday camcorder users.
Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 - Full HD Camcorder, James Morris, Feb. 29, 2008
3. CNET
CNET's Lori Grunin agrees with other reviewers that the Panasonic HDC-SD9's low-light video quality isn't the best. Unlike other reviewers, however, Grunin also downgrades its outdoor footage quality. A quick video review is also featured.
Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 Digital Camcorder, Lori Grunin, March 17, 2008
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