Panasonic HDC SD20 Main features Review

[kianvl76]

My camcorder! I like it very much!

[HazelAgnes48]

I have this camera but all footage I take (always outdoors) is completely spoiled by the large number of round white light bubbles that appear. It isn't just in the sunshine, it happens in all weathers. I use the intelligent mode but have been experimenting with other modes but it doesn't help at all. I am thinking as I take a lot of footage I will have to buy another camera. I don't want to as this one was expensive and I haven't had it 2 years yet. I would really appreciate your advice.

[JAMamation]

i have one, it is very good and has great zoom. check out my video leicester city vs hull to see how it was when i took it to a football match.

[squirrelbasha]

does it come packaged with Sd card?

[UserFriendlly]

can you attach an external mic(shotgun mic)

[johnboy1uk]

No, there is no provision for this

[maartenskateboarder]

does it have manual focus ?

[johnboy1uk]

It does, you operate it from the touch screen but it is very fiddly!

[maartenskateboarder]

@johnboy1uk thank you so much !!

[johnboy1uk]

Thank you!

[Skibobdebop]

does it have night vision(night shot)?

[Skibobdebop]

@Skibobdebop

And how long is the record time??

[johnboy1uk]

It has a low light mode but not a proper night shot mode

[oXILuvMusicXo]

I have a question what is the bad things about this camera ?

[johnboy1uk]

It's a bit plasticy and the touch screen is a bit fiddly to use, the video quality could be better

[rugby647]

Hey nice video, but does this camcorder work with windows vista and windows movie maker together? or just one of them? Thank you, please answer, i ask everywhere and no one knows

[johnboy1uk]

Yes, it works with Vista, my operating system is Vista but I'm not sure about Windows Movie Maker, I use Corel Video Studio

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk thanks, is Corel Video Studio easy to use and cheap? Also would you recommend using the Corel Video Studio for a skateboard video?

Thanks,

[johnboy1uk]

Yes, CVS is easy to use, the interface is very easy to use with the step tabs at the top, you could make a skateboard video very easily with this software, there are plenty of special effects and filters and it is one of the cheaper video editing programs

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk how is CVS compared to sony vegas? which would you choose?

[johnboy1uk]

@rugby647 Corel has a nice easy interface and is dead simple to use, Vegas is more sophisticated, I use Corel all the time for YouTube

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk ok thanks, but if you had to choose between the panasonic hdc sd9 or the sd20, which would you choose? why?

[johnboy1uk]

The SD9 is an older model, a 3 chip camera. There is quite a lot of video shot with this camera so you need to look and compare it with the SD20. I now use a Canon HG10 which I thnk shoots much better video than the SD20. The Canon stores the video on a hard drive rather than a media card like the SD20 does. The SD20 is very small and compact but it is a bit plasticy, the Canon on the other hand is really well made and solid, in the end you you pays your money and takes your choice

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk ok thanks, but i thought canon camcorders only work with a mac?

[johnboy1uk]

My Canon works fine on my laptop with Vista

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk oh!? well do you think a canon hf200 would work? cause costco is selling it and it comes with a case, and 8gb card

[johnboy1uk]

@rugby647 Go for it, this camera has had some very good reviews!

[rugby647]

@johnboy1uk the hf200? cause you said ''this'' so im not sure, lol

[7C1rca7]

Hello, i am using the corel video software for this camera. But everytime i upload a video into it the video is always skiping

[johnboy1uk]

Hi, make sure the Smart Proxy feature is enabled and making proxy files of your video clips. Have a look at my tutorial on this, it might help you

[7C1rca7]

ok i have another question, so i downloaded the corel editing software like you mentioned but everytime i import videos from my panasonic hdc sd20 the videos are skipping. Do you know how to correct this?

[johnboy1uk]

@7C1rca7 Hi yes this is a problem when editing with HD files, you need to make sure the smart proxy feature is enabled, if you take a look at my other tutorials you will see one for this feature, follow the instructions and it will put you right

[johnny852002]

Does a cable come with it so that you connect to your PC? I'm strongly thinking about getting this but I'm not sure

[johnboy1uk]

Hi, yes it's just a normal USB cable, it comes with the supplied software

[supermovie007]

Has te camera an accesoires shoe? Something where you can put your extrenal light or your microphone on?

[johnboy1uk]

Hi, no this camera does not have one of those

[7C1rca7]

how do you upload videos from it?

[johnboy1uk]

Hi, do you mean upload to YouTube? I edit and upload using Corel Video Studio after using the Panasonic HD Writer software to transfer the videos to the PC

[pappaaah]

Is it possible to put any lense/fish eyes on this camcorder?

[johnboy1uk]

Yes, the diameter is 43mm

[RedHelmetMan23]

please can u make a review showing all the features?

[johnboy1uk]

Hi RedHelmetMan23 What would you you like to know about this camera? I'm working on other projects at the moment so another review would be difficult

[AtumProductions]

What are the most similar camera to the sd9? the sd20 or the sd10?

[johnboy1uk]

The SD-9 is a 3 chip camera, the SD-20 and the SD-10 just have 1. I suppose the SD-20 would be the most similar, it being the one that followed the SD-9

[RedHelmetMan23]

what does 3chip mean?

[johnboy1uk]

In simple terms it means it has three image sensors for processing so you produce a better image

[SilatHazwan]

This is the latest one?

[johnboy1uk]

This model has been superseded by the HDC-SD10. I don't think they make this model anymore :(

[RoboHamster26]

how much is it

[johnboy1uk]

It's goes for about £300, not sure what that is in US Dollars

[snowconedxx39]

like $500

[johnboy1uk]

It means you can use a suitable 32GB SDHC Memory Card

[takerold12]

btw what does the remote control look like?

[johnboy1uk]

I don't have a picture of it at the moment but it is very small, black and has all the functions that are on the camera including zoom and picture button for taking pictures. You can also access all of the menu through the remote

[takerold12]

awesome. thanks mate

[takerold12]

on the SD card does it record in parts like :

you film and once you press stop/pause it makes a clip on the SD card

is that how it works?

[johnboy1uk]

Yes thats how it works, just like a standard digital camera that takes video

[takerold12]

thanks mate

[takerold12]

what does it mean by optional 32 GB?

is it saying you can get an optional SD card with 32GB

[autograssboy]

how long does the battery last on that?

[johnboy1uk]

The battery lasts about 1 hour and 15 mins if you record continuously and actual recordable time is about 45 min. The charging time is 1 hour 35 mins if completely discharged. The actual recordable time refers to the recordable time when repeatedly starting/stopping recording , turning the unit off/on, moving the zoom lever etc.

[orbiter8]

NIce John, very creative & informative video.

[johnboy1uk]

Thanks for the comment John. The video was taken with my other Panasonic camera which is Mini-DV standard def.

[sjavkoes]

It is a great camera

[johnboy1uk]

It certainly is a very good camera!

[johnboy1uk]

Was red the only colour you could get it in Leong?

[yapkleong]

your HDC is black.actually i like black, look pro, mine is red.