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Panasonic HDC-SD20

Panasonic HDC-SD20

95 reviews

Dec, 2013

Positive
Value for money (19)
Image quality (13)
Portability (9)
Memory (7)
Battery (3)

Negative
Features (6)
Color (2)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 95 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviews about the battery and memory are overall positive. The portability and image quality also get good feedback. The color and features get negative opinions.

value for money, image quality, portability, memory, battery

features, color

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 85/100 = Very good quality.

See all Panasonic Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 95 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(28% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (43% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (15% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (10% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (4% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Value for money
Show positive (29%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)

Image quality
Show positive (35%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)

Portability
Show positive (69%)None yet(Show all)

Memory
Show positive (47%)None yet(Show all)

Features
None yetShow negative (67%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 11 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 11 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (44)

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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Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for Panasonic HDC-SD20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 9 user reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD20 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.8/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com.

value for money, usability, battery, memory, 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) • Panasonic HDC-SD20 HD Flash Camcorder (Silver)

Dec, 2013

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

Panasonic HDC-SD20-K camcorder

The Panasonic HDC-SD20-K is an affordable high-definition camcorder that records AVCHD video to SD/SDHC memory cards. Like previous models in Panasoni...

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.

Oct, 2009

Partner Source

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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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Expert review by: James Morris (trustedreviews.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

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

We weren't tremendously impressed with the HDC-SD20's sister product, the HDC-HS20. When we reviewed this product in February, the HDC-SD9 was still readily available for under £400, offering better image quality for a lot less money. Now it's much...

May, 2009

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Consumer review by: (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon review summary for Panasonic HDC-SD20

alaTest has collected and analysed 13 user reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD20 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk.

usability, portability, image quality, memory

value for money

77% 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

Dec, 2013

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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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.