Manage updates with the Download AppPanasonic HDC-SD60K (Black)
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: HDC-SD60K
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Panasonic's quartet of entry-level HD camcorders--the HDC-HS60, TM60, TM55, and SD60--delivers a nice manual feature set and good performance, as well as solid video quality for their class. As long as you don't pay list price, the SD60 is a great value, and if possible, avoid paying the unnecessary price premium for the hard drive in the HS60.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 05/20/2013 |
| Memory4Less.com | Not yet rated | In stock | as of 05/21/2013 Refurbished |
CNET editors' review
Panasonic HDC-SD60K (Black) price range: $380.00 - $602.72
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 06/22/2010
- Released on: 03/10/2010
The good: Manual shutter-speed and iris controls; comfortable size; smarter-than-average autofocus; lens focuses relatively closely; decent battery life.
The bad: Soft video; cramped, low-resolution touch screen.
The bottom line: Panasonic's quartet of entry-level HD camcorders--the HDC-HS60, TM60, TM55, and SD60--delivers a nice manual feature set and good performance, as well as solid video quality for their class. As long as you don't pay list price, the SD60 is a great value, and if possible, avoid paying the unnecessary price premium for the hard drive in the HS60.
User reviews
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Almost Perfect Consumer HD Camcorder with few flaws
by famu97 on June 3, 2010
Pros: excellent video quality, lightweight & compact, excellent digital stills, capture digital still while recording video, built-in flash for stills & LED light for recording video, face recognition & saved face detection, 25x Optical zoom, Insta
Cons: low-light video quality is still not great but better than models of recent years, over-compensates for color correction when shooting in intelligent auto-mode indoors w/poor lighting, 2-channel stereo audio, no included mini-HDMI to HDMI cable
Summary: In my opinion you really have two options for the best consumer-grade HD camcorders and that's Panasonic or Sony. I've owned a previous Panasonic HD camcorder and the ...
Summary: In my opinion you really have two options for the best consumer-grade HD camcorders and that's Panasonic or Sony. I've owned a previous Panasonic HD camcorder and the video & digital still image quality on this camera is far superior. Shooting outdoors makes an unbelievable video with no visible flaws in color & clarity.
I love how lightweight this is and how small it is. It almost seems like a toy in the palm of your hands because of how small it is. I believe it would fit in my pocket it's so small. The 25x optical zoom is great but it can go out to 32x zoom with digital enhancements. The battery life is pretty descent but I'd like it longer. You can get 1 hr 41 mins of record time from a fully charged battery. I'd recommend buying an extra battery just to be safe.
Another thing I love about this camcorder is the instant-on feature. As soon as you press the power button it's ready to shoot. there's literally no wait to be able to record.
I have a 16GB SDHC card in mine and it says I can record 2 hrs & 41 mins of video at the highest resolution. I think I'll buy at least another 8GB or 16GB SDHC card just to make sure I always have enough storage to record what I want.
I think my one big knock on this HD camcorder is that when shooting in full intelligent auto-mode, the camcorder seems to try to over-compensate for low-lighting when shooting in doors. It sometimes make skin tones more red or it swings the other way and has a night-vision like effect on the skins tones & picture. I don't know if I can shoot in manual mode and avoid that from happening but the intelligent auto point & shoot is the reason I got the camcorder in the first place. i don't want to have to set manual settings to correct for skin tone color. I noticed it because I've owned a previous Panasonic HD camcorder that was going on 3 years old and the previous models didn't do that. New users won't know the difference.
One small nit-pick I have is that the menu is not that intuitive. Some settings are located in places that were hard for me to find without looking it up in the manual. I do wish the LCD screen was a little larger but the camcorder is so small they can't physically put a larger screen on it.
Basically I love this camcorder. If I had more money to spend, I would get the Panny HDC-TM700K which has 3 CMOS sensors instead of one, 32GB internal flash memory & records in full Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The 5.1 DD surround sound is what I miss from my last Panny HD camcorder. I do think for the money you're spending they would include an HDMI cable especially since its using a mini-HDMI to HDMI interface. that's not a common HDMI cable to buy.
Bottom line is you won't be disappointed in the video & digital still picture quality at this price. If you have a bigger budget - then I'd recommend the Panasonic HDC-TM700K.5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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One of the best budget camcorders
by gs1983 on July 31, 2010
Pros: I've had this product for about 3 months. The video quality is very solid, the LED flash and light work very well, the audio is great. It is very lightweight, attractive, and has a good price tag.
Cons: Still pictures could be a little better. Although, it does nice macro shots.
Summary: If you aren't looking to spend over $500, I would highly recommend this for amateurs or beginners.
Summary: If you aren't looking to spend over $500, I would highly recommend this for amateurs or beginners.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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good camera, poor software
by LongHorn204 on February 11, 2011
Pros: powerful zoom, image stabilization, good image quality, HD
Cons: unstable software, no input for external microphone
Summary: Panasonic 35X "intelligent" zoom with image stabilization works wonders. Allows to make great close ups of birds and animals, both, clips and stills. However, processing the results with provided by ...
Summary: Panasonic 35X "intelligent" zoom with image stabilization works wonders. Allows to make great close ups of birds and animals, both, clips and stills. However, processing the results with provided by Panasonic software is long and often frustrating adventure.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent for outdoor shooting & excellent stabilizer
by minn5781 on June 19, 2010
Pros: Stabilizer
Outdoor shooting
25x Zoom
Comfortable sizeCons: Low light/Indoor shooting
DC-Input coverSummary: The best part of this camera is probably its optical image stabilizer which makes the video still very calm even when walking and zooming which really impressed me. The image ...
Summary: The best part of this camera is probably its optical image stabilizer which makes the video still very calm even when walking and zooming which really impressed me. The image quality was also superior to the cameras I?ve used before. It?s also very easy to hook up the camera to my HDTV by using a component cable which was in the box. The image quality is far better than my cable TV by all means. Outdoor shooting is just perfect, especially when you?re not shooting against light. The size of the camera is just perfect and is very comfortable to hold it.
Now, here are the bad stuffs?right after unboxing, I went around my house to test the quality of this camera, but it disappointed me when it performed worse than expected in low light conditions. The images were very noisy when shot in low light conditions, however it portrayed the image without any loss of accuracy in terms of colors, etc. Later, I went out to a nearby helipad to shoot a helicopter takeoff, but it seems as if the SD60 has a difficult time focusing on the helicopter as it starts ascending, therefore causing very blurry images at some times.
Anyway, I would recommend this camera for people who just want to shoot this outdoors, etc. If not, I?d recommend they consider Canon or the new high-end camcorders released by Panasonic.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good video camera.
by mcarthur77 on October 5, 2010
Pros: We liked this model due to its attractive price.
Cons: Playback quality was not as lucid as the Sony hdr-cx-150. Autofocusing indoors was lagging behind the Sony.
Summary: This is a decent hd videocam. Good features. I recommend it for beginners.
Summary: This is a decent hd videocam. Good features. I recommend it for beginners.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Bought it, terrible interface with Mac.
by dabasman on April 24, 2011
Pros: Beautiful picture quality
Cons: Have to transfer video data IN REAL TIME by cable into imovie software on the MAC before it can be burned to DVD. Ridiculous. The files are not in mpeg 2 or 4 so it was a pain to convert to DVD. It is even more complicated than using tapes. So many ot
Summary: Thumbs down
Summary: Thumbs down
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Pretty good
by AnilGKurian on March 25, 2011
Pros: Image Stabilizer, OIS is superb!!!
Ease of operation & nice touch screen
CompactnessCons: only on camera charging
no option to select video resolution other than full hdSummary: Very good camera, selected after searching for a handycam almost a month. Image stabilisation is wonderful, thats the main reason I selected this and I am happy now with the ...
Summary: Very good camera, selected after searching for a handycam almost a month. Image stabilisation is wonderful, thats the main reason I selected this and I am happy now with the selection. Indoor performance is also good. No need to think twice if you are looking for a home use.
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Nice features and price but disappointed overall
by jeo556 on January 30, 2011
Pros: Price, size, zoom range, image stabilization, touch screen
Cons: HORRIBLE indoor video
Summary: This is the first camcorder that my wife and I purchased to capture family memories as our son grows up. Indoor video quality is obviously important and this camera fails ...
Summary: This is the first camcorder that my wife and I purchased to capture family memories as our son grows up. Indoor video quality is obviously important and this camera fails in that department. The video playback on our 46" HDTV using a HDMI-to-miniHDMI cable is so grainy that it is almost hard to watch. Maybe I'm expecting too much but I was under the impression that HD is a set standard.
My wife commented on the fact that her father's JVC camcorder from ~1985 took better video than what this camcorder is capable of.
I read the manual and set everything to the highest video settings, and made sure that the output was set to play on a HDTV widescreen TV.
I also did some research on the type of SDHC card to buy so that the camcorder performed at its best. I ended up with a Transcend 16 GB Class 6 card after reading an independent review statating that it had a very high read and write speed to allow the camera to function without being bogged down by the card.
Did we get a faulty camcorder? Or does this model just take horrible indoor videos? -
This is great
Pros: This is great
Cons: non so far
Summary: you've made the right choice in getting this one.
Summary: you've made the right choice in getting this one.
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the best camcorder. excellent camcorder
by bestbuyhdtv on January 16, 2011
Pros: I like this camcorder and i used this camcorder for 5 months.
Cons: low-light video quality is still not great but better than models of recent years, over-compensates for color correction when shooting in intelligent auto-mode indoors w/poor lighting, 2-channel stereo audio, no included mini-HDMI to HDMI cable
Summary: In my opinion you really have two options for the best consumer-grade HD camcorders and that's Panasonic or Sony. I've owned a previous Panasonic HD camcorder and the ...
Summary: In my opinion you really have two options for the best consumer-grade HD camcorders and that's Panasonic or Sony. I've owned a previous Panasonic HD camcorder and the video & digital still image quality on this camera is far superior. Shooting outdoors makes an unbelievable video with no
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: HDC-SD60K
- Description: The SD60 Series features a 25x optical zoom and an Intelligent Zoom function that goes all the way up to 35x. When using intelligent zoom, Intelligent Resolution technology lets you shoot at high zoom rates while preserving the image resolution. You get sharp images of highly detailed objects - without the blurry edges. Plus, Power O.I.S. suppresses even slight hand-shake, which is a must for extreme zooming, because of its high susceptibility to hand-shake. The 35.7mm wide-angle lens on the SD60 Series fits more people and more of the background into the frame than a conventional 44.1mm lens. This is especially handy when you want to take a group photo in a small room. It fits your subjects in even when you shoot from up close, and makes it possible to pick up even small sounds with the microphone. It also gives you more ways to enjoy your camcorder, like taking self portraits or capturing sweeping landscapes without losing the sense of scale.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Camcorder - 1080i
- Enclosure Color Black
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 3.32 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution 2.11 megapixels
- Digital Zoom 1500 x
- Effective Photo Resolution 2.32 megapixels
- Camcorder Interpolated Photo Resolution 5 megapixels
- Camcorder Media Type Flash card
- Optical Sensor Size 1/4.1"
- Optical Sensor Type MOS
- Min Illumination 1 lux
- Analog video format NTSC
- Digital Video Format AVCHD
- Image Stabilizer Optical (POWER O.I.S.)
- Min Shutter Speed 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec
- Shooting modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Snow,
Beach,
Sports mode,
Sunset,
Low light,
Night portrait,
Spotlight,
Fireworks,
Scenery,
Night scene,
Portrait mode - White Balance Automatic,
Presets,
Custom - White Balance Presets Cloudy,
Sunlight,
Outdoor,
Indoor - Exposure Modes Program,
Automatic,
Manual - Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Image Recording Format JPEG
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
- AV Interfaces HDMI,
Composite video/audio Lens System
- Type 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3
- Lens aperture F/1.8-3.3
- Features Built-in lens shield
- Optical Zoom 25 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 3.02 mm
- Max focal length 75.5 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 35.7 - 893 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual,
Automatic - Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Built-in Light Yes
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Additional Features DPOF support,
Face detection,
Built-in speaker,
Pre-Rec function,
Intelligent Contrast Control,
YouTube capture mode,
AF/AE tracking,
Backlight compensation,
Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording,
Touch-screen control,
Automatic display brightness adjustment,
Intelligent Scene Selector,
PictBridge support,
Face Recognition,
Smile Detection technology,
Built-in help guide,
USB 2.0 compatibility - Software Panasonic HD Writer AE 2.0,
Drivers & Utilities - Included Accessories USB cable,
Power adapter,
Audio / video cable,
Pen stylus Display
- Type 2.7 in LCD display
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x HDMI output,
1 x USB,
1 x Composite video/audio output,
1 x Component video output Microphone
- Microphone Features Wind noise reduction,
Zoom Memory / Storage
- Media type Flash card
- Memory Card Slot SD card
- Supported Memory Cards SD Memory Card
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8,
Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x,
MS Windows 7,
MS Windows Vista,
MS Windows XP SP2 or later - Peripheral Devices USB port,
CD-ROM drive Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1790 mAh ( Included )
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
- Microphone technology Electret condenser
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Features Rotating
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2 in
- Depth 4.4 in
- Height 2.6 in
- Weight 9 oz
Product series
-
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: CMOS,
Built-in flash,
9.1 oz,
4.4 in,
2.6 in,
25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3,
Panasonic HDC-TM55 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card,
2 in -
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: MOS,
Built-in flash,
9 oz,
4.4 in,
2.6 in,
25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3,
Panasonic HDC-SD60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card,
2 in -
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: MOS,
Built-in flash,
11.5 oz,
4.4 in,
2.6 in,
25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3,
Panasonic HDC-HS60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive,
- Flash card,
2.2 in -
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: MOS,
Built-in flash,
9 oz,
4.4 in,
2.6 in,
25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3,
Panasonic HDC-SD60S - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card,
2 in
Accessories
- KATA D-Light Capsule-181 DL - protective case for camcorder (35033784)119.89
- KATA PRO Video Collection CC-195 HDV Case - case for camcorder (34565096)135.00 - 146.37
- Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control for EOS D30, D60, D10, 1D, 1V 20D SLR Cameras (33615634)135.99 - 144.95
- Hoodman EX KIT PRO LCD screen hood loupe (34409067)150.39 - 159.95
- Sony ACC-HDV7 digital camera accessory kit (33969762)129.99
- Canon FS Series Camcorder Starter Kit - camcorder accessory kit (33612496)119.99 - 151.14
- KATA D-Light Capsule-183 DL - protective case for camcorder (35033782)149.89
- KATA D-Light Capsule-185 DL - protective case for camcorder (35033780)129.95
- KATA D-Light Capsule-185 DL - protective case for camcorder (35033783)129.99 - 160.26
- Norazza Ape Case ACPRO1900 - case for camcorder (35170265)107.55 - 179.99
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Panasonic
- Address:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537
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