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- 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.
| Panasonic HDC-SD9 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | |
(65 reviews) |
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| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  122 store reviews | In Stock. New | $399.99 | See It |
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 |  7,032 store reviews | In Stock. Ships Free,Ships Today! $0 Pay Avail! Panasonic AuthDealer | $229.00 | See It |
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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
David Pogue tests three of the smallest high-def camcorders and declares the HDC-SD9 the victor, citing its overall image quality. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Vying Hard to Claim Tiny Crown, David Pogue, April 10, 2008
5. Amazon.com
The Panasonic HDC-SD9 has accumulated more than 60 user reviews. Several owners say the HDC-SD9's low-light video quality isn't great, and some had problems with the software.
Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 Camcorder, Contributors to Amazon.com
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