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Panasonic HDC-SD20

Panasonic HDC-SD20

108 reviews

Aug, 2017

Positive
usability (69)
price (25)
portability (24)
image quality (16)
memory (11)

Negative
control panel (2)
color (2)
viewfinder (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 108 reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD20. The average rating for this product is 3.7/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the design and portability. The image quality and price are also mentioned favorably, but many are critical about the viewfinder and color.

usability, price, image quality, portability, design

control panel, color, viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Panasonic HDC-SD20 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

See all Panasonic Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 108 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(22% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (47% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (14% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (13% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (63%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)

portability
Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

design
Show positive (69%)Show negative (31%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 57 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 40 of 57 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (50)

Consumer review by: (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Panasonic HDC-SD20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 22 user reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD20 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the zoom and memory. The portability and image quality also get good views. Some have doubts about the design, and there are some mixed views about the price.

usability, image quality, portability, memory, zoom

design

55% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Panasonic HDC-SD20 High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with Intelligent Auto Mode & 16x Optical Zoom - Black • Panasonic HDC-SD20 High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with Intelligent Auto Mode & 16x Optical Zoom - Black

Aug, 2017

Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Panasonic HDC-SD20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 8 user reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD20 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the portability and usability. The memory and battery also get good comments.

price, battery, memory, usability, portability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Panasonic HDC-SD20 HD Flash Camcorder (Black) • Panasonic HDC-SD20 HD Flash Camcorder (Black)

Aug, 2017

Expert review by: (electronicsme.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

If you're in the market for your first HD camcorder, the HDC-SD20 Flash camcorder makes an excellent choice. It's packed with features, reasonably-priced and built with Panasonic quality. Panasonic has made a name for itself in digital photography...

Record full HD 1920x1080 video16X optical zoomOptical Image Stabilization5.1 channel surround sound9 lux (1/30 low light mode) / 1 lux

The Panasonic HDC-SD20 HD Flash camcorder is a new 16X zoom HD camcorder...

Nov, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by: Kaitlyn Chantry (camcorderinfo.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20 Camcorder Review

The Panasonic HDC-SD20 is one of three models designed by the company to appeal to the more budget-conscious entry-level camcorder user. With an MSRP of $549, it's several hundred dollars less expensive than many models from the competition. What you...

The Panasonic HDC-SD20 offers a truly entry-level high definition camcorder experience. The video performance isn't in the same league as the Canon HF20, but neither is the price tag. For $300 less, we weren't expecting the smooth motion or vivid...

Apr, 2009

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Expert review by: Jeremy Stamas (washingtonpost.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

The Panasonic HDC-SD20 is an mid-level HD camcorder that should appeal to budget-conscious consumers. With an MSRP of only $549, the camcorder is a much cheaper alternative to the higher-end Panasonic HDC-TM300 ($1299) and numerous top-of-the-line...

The HDC-SD20 records HD video to SD/SDHC memory cards, and one of the reasons the camcorder is so inexpensive is the fact that it offers no internal memory. The camcorder captures video using the AVCHD codec, which is essentially the standard for all...

Apr, 2009

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Expert review by: Kaitlyn Chantry (reviewed.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

Can't compete with pricier models, but offers a strong, intuitive experience for beginners

Incredibly low noise; Intuitive auto modes

Poor sharpness; Few extras

Apr, 2009

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Expert review by: Chris Jager (goodgearguide.com.au)

Panasonic HDC-SD20-K camcorder

Ultra-compact HD camcorder with optical image stabilisation

Portable design, user-friendly interface, effective optical image stablisation

Outdated specifications, cheap aesthetics, image quality could be better

The Panasonic HDC-SD20-K is a reasonable high-definition camcorder that manages to impress thanks to its low price tag. It distinguishes itself from the SD crowd thanks to the inclusion of O.I.S and lots of user-friendly features.

Apr, 2009

Partner Source

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Expert review by: Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

James finds out how the budget Panasonic HDC-SD20 Full HD camcorder performs.

Feb, 2011

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Expert review by: (expertreviews.co.uk)

Panasonic HDC-SD20 review

You wouldn't know the HDC-SD20 is a budget AVCHD camera to look at it.

May, 2009

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Consumer review by: JLRphotography (ciao.co.uk)

Panasonic - not pro perfection, but still a pleasing past time

As a professional photographer I've never really had much of an interest in video – until last year I still owned a Sony Hi8 camcorder that used to be my mum's and hadn't been put to use for about 4 years. If ever the urge took me to video anything I'd...

easy to use, fits well in hand, good quality results

software doesn't work with new computer systems ie. Windows 7/8, photos not great

Jul, 2013

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Consumer review by: Confirmed purchaser (reevoo.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

Image quality, easy to transfer to DVD, excellent optical zoom.

Batteries very expensive, no separate viewfinder - makes it more difficult if one wears reading glasses.

Feb, 2010

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Consumer review by: Ben (reevoo.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

Very good image quality and after buying a memory card ready for use.

Feb, 2010

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Product Specifications

Worldwide, there is a strong and growing trend toward large-screen, high-image-quality televisions and high definition (HD) broadcasting. In line with this, manufacturers are transitioning to HD quality in all other types of video equipment too. Panasonic, consistent with its long-time position as a leader in the video field, is now introducing its Full HD Camcorders including the HDC-SD20.The iA function automatically activates several convenient shooting functions. These include Advanced O.I.S., which compensates for hand-shake to eliminate blurring; Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; and Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast. Also included is the Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the scene setting that will provide optimal results. And AF Tracking keeps the subject in focus even if it moves around to ensure continuously perfect image quality.The SD20 records on both SD and SDHC Memory Cards. Because SD Memory Cards require no transport mechanism, the SD20 is highly resistant to external impact. This combines with its small size and weight to achieve unmatched mobility.