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Panasonic HDC-SD20

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. People really like the design and portability. The image quality and price are also appreciated, but some have doubts 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 (37%)(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)
battery
  Show positive (62%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
control panel
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
color
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
viewfinder
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
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Showing 57 review(s)

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

Consumer review (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 are also mentioned favorably, whereas reviews are divided on the price. Some have doubts about the design.

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

Apr, 2018

Consumer review (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. Reviewers really like the portability and usability. The memory and battery also get good feedback.

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)

Apr, 2018

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
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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
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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 (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 (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 (reevoo.com)

Panasonic HDC-SD20

 

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

no

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.

Audio

Built-in Microphone: Yes

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Surround
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Battery Technology:Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

Camcorder Features

High Definition Video Support:1080i
Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes
Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

Camera

Minimum illumination:9

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Built-in flash

Design

Color of product:Black / Red / Silver

Digital Camera

Supported Flash Memory:SD Memory Card / SDHC Memory Card/SDHC Memory Card

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:5in
Height:2.6in
Weight:9.5oz
Width:2.5in

Display

Display:LCD
Display Diagonal:2.7

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2.7in
Diagonal Size (metric):6.9cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Beach / Fireworks / Low light / Portrait mode / Scenery / Snow / Sports mode / Spotlight / Sunset

Flash

Built-in flash: Yes

Header

Manufacturer:Panasonic
Model:HDC-SD20/HDC-SD20K
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Panasonic

Image Sensor

Optical sensor size:1 / 6
Sensor Type:MOS
Total megapixels:1.17

Lens System

35 mm camera lens equivalent:1.74 - 27.8
Digital Zoom:1000
Filter size:1.69
Focal length (35mm film equivalent):1.74 - 27.8
Focal length range (f-f):0.116 - 1.86
Image Stabilizer: Yes
Lens Aperture:F/1.8-3.3
Max Focal Length:47.2mm
Min Focal Length:2.95mm
Optical Zoom:16
Optical Zoom:16
Type:Zoom lens

Miscellaneous

Color:Black

Optical Sensor

Camcorder Effective Still Resolution:1.17Megapixel
Camcorder Effective Video Resolution:1.17Mpix
Camcorder Sensor Resolution:1.47Mpix
Optical Sensor Size:1/6"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):4.2 mm ( 1/6 ) / 4.2 mm ( 1/6" )/4.2 mm ( 1/6" )
Optical Sensor Type:CMOS
Sensor Qty:1CMOS

Optical System

Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer: Yes
Image Stabilizer:Optical (Advanced O.I.S.)

Other Features

Audio Output:1
Auto focus: Yes
Lens system:Leica Dicomar
Manual focus: Yes
Power consumption (typical):5.6
Power Requirements:DC7.2V / 9.3V
Video out:1

Packaging Content

Bundled software:HD Writer AE 1.0

Ports & interfaces

Component video (YPbPr/YCbCr) out:1
DC-in jack: Yes
HDMI: Yes
PictBridge: Yes
USB 2.0 ports quantity:1

Shutter

Camera shutter speed:1/25 - 1/8000

Still Image

Still image resolution(s):1920 x 1080

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video

Maximum video resolution:1920 x 1080

Video Input

Analog Video Format:NTSC
Digital Video Format:AVCHD / H.264/H.264 / AVCHD
Digital Zoom:1000
Face Detection: Yes
Media Type:Flash card
Shooting Modes:Digital photo mode
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Camcorder

Weight & Dimensions

Depth:5
Height:2.64
Weight:9.52
Width:2.52

White Balance

Indoor white balance: Yes
Outdoor white balance: Yes