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We have collected 2 reviews of the Panasonic HDC-SD900. Experts rate Panasonic HDC-SD900 8/10. Reviewsor.com helps you find reviews, best prices, user reviews of the Panasonic HDC-SD900 and Panasonic Camcorders.
The HDC-SD900 sits alongside the HDC-HS900 and HDC-TM900, which are effectively the same device with added storage, right at the top of Panasonic's consumer camcorder range. It offers 1080p high-definition video, manual controls and 3D capability. At £650, the HDC-SD900 is expensive, but competitively priced compared with other similarly equipped models. So could this be the HD camcorder you've been holding out for? Our initial reaction to the HDC-SD900's appearance was one of minor disappointment. The smart, solid, gunmetal body of the previous generation has given way to an overtly plastic, glossy black design, with shiny highlights only serving to cheapen the feel even further. But there's a very practical reason for this -- the fairly large HDC-SD900 is surprisingly light and comfortable to shoot with.Panasonic has stuck with the traditional barrel-grip shape, incorporating a super-large, 3.5-inch, fold-out display. The resolution of the LCD panel is 460,000 pixels. It's bright, clear and renders scenes and graphics well. Panasonic's user interface could do with an update, though -- it looks rather blocky and unsophisticated at times. The screen flips out for maximum recording convenience.
Last year proved to be a bumper vintage for Panasonic's camcorders. The TM700, for instance, put in the best performance we've ever seen when picking out the detail in our test card, beating not only other AVCHD camcorders but also SLR cameras. It seems that the 2011 crop is likely to be just as impressive if the SD900 is anything to go by. Let's start by looking at what it's like to use. As the name suggests, the SD900 records onto an SD card, but you'll have to supply one yourself. That means you'll need to choose the right card for the job, and we suggest you take an SDHC card with at least 8 GB, which will give enough room for an hour of AVCHD video. A Class 6 card is a minimum to support the amount of data produced in HD, and if you give it a Class 4 card, the SD900 won't even start filming. It's pretty easy to use, but the quality of the finish leaves a lot to be desired. The power switch, zoom controls and viewfinder all feel a little fragile. Disappointingly, the touchscreen display that displays the main menu has a resolution that's half as good as most of its competitors at just 460 000 pixels.