Panasonic HDC-SD20 low light test

Testing the Panasonic HDC-SD20 consumer AVCHD camcorder in low light. Took a few seconds footage every 15 minutes as the sun went down. Rendered to 1920x1080, 5Mbps H.264 for upload.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Panasonic
• HDC-SD20
• low
• light
• test
• AVCHD

[HazelAgnes48]

I have this camera but most of the videos that I film outside are spoiled by masses of light blobs. It is very annoying and seems to be getting worse. I bought a special lens which is supposed to stop the light from getting in but it is useless. Can you suggest anything. Thankyou very much.

[UKAirscape]

@HazelAgnes48 Can you show me an example of what you mean - have you uploaded something I can take a look at to see the problem?

[AL3XHIAM]

What editing program do you use? i cant upload my files from my sd-20 the files are mts. adobe prem pro or final cut pro do support then. any convertors suggested/

thanks in advance

[UKAirscape]

@AL3XHIAM I use Sony Vegas Pro 9.0e, a professional editing program. If that's too costly for you, Sony also offer much cheaper - and quite fully-featured - consumer versions called Vegas Movie Studio HD. I recommend the Platinum 10 Production Suite which costs around 80 UK Pounds because it has the most features.

[HazelAgnes48]

Thankyou very much for your message. I don't know how to send you a video but if you go into my videos a typical example would be The Helm, Kendal, posted 2nd Dec., or Windermere and Grasmere, 1st Dec., I have very recently removed the lens protector for keeping the sun out on my camcorder as I had a feeling it may be acting as a reflector. The two films I have made since doing this have proved to be an improvement. Thanks again, Hazel

[Agentbromsnor]

Hmm. Thanks for the tip!

[UKAirscape]

@Agentbromsnor another popular option for transcoding is the Cineform codec. Or, some people have use Sony's MXF (XDCAM) 35Mbps format; I tried it once just for interest and it worked well.

[Agentbromsnor]

Very true. But like I said, this program Voltaic HD converts it to AVI which makes the whole editing process alot easier, although it can take a little while to convert.

[UKAirscape]

@Agentbromsnor yes it definitely loves a lot of light. Any AVCHD files (usually .m2t) will prove hard to edit unless your PC is very high spec, with a fast chip in it, that's just the way they're encoded.

[Agentbromsnor]

Nice test. I have this camera too, and although I think its a great camera it eats light. I bought a external LED-light that I can screw underneath the camera just so I can get a better shot, but its still a bit grainy.

I also think that the files on the camera (mk2 or something) are a bitch to edit. I had to torrent a program called Voltaic HD just to render my footage to AVI so I can edit it properly. Aside from those few issues, its a quality camera like you would expect from Panasonic.