As other folks have talked about this is an Amazon exclusive and could be considered a “child TM700K.” It does lack the manual attributes and accessory shoe. It is also NTSC and does 60P (to solution someone’s question). The problem with the 1080 60P is it is supposedly only compatible with the incorporated Panasonic software package. That is my greatest complaint, it’s basically useless at this point (I would leave the door open for long term compatibility, but not much). I know when making use of VLC or WMP 12 it certainly stutters. And that’s not a drive or pc limitation but a limitation of the AVCHD codec (from what I collect, anyways). It’s a shame it can’t be set for 720/60P as that would actually function fine. This model also has the wide angle lens, which is undoubtedly greater than my Canon cams (HV30, HF200) but not entirely satisfactory to me. Low light noise is minimum, at least for a camcorder in this price tag variety and it surely looked far better than my Canon’s. The fan, which seems to be at the top of everyone’s worry list doesn’t seem to bother me. I haven’t noticed it. It does appear like a dumb design and style to call for a fan on a client camcorder in this day and age. Admittedly, I haven’t taken any video in silence, largely focusing on the kids (in which silence doesn’t exist). It’s basically identical to the PAL edition in almost each and every regard (other than the fact it has 60P vs 50P) and also has the same horribly inadequate documentation. The Digital Cinema mode is not even pointed out in the manual.

Overall, it really is not a lousy camera. I can not say for confident the 3MOS can make any appreciable difference other than it appears like it does far better in low light. Video good quality is what you’d count on for a camera in this value array, very good. Sometimes there are some oddities when it is picking white balance (ie a blue tungsten hue at occasions) but it corrects itself right after a handful of seconds or camera angle movement. I actually like the OIS (image stabilization). It surely does very a bit greater than other camcorders I’ve owned.

Photo good quality is almost certainly equal to a low to mid range point and shoot. But I didn’t buy it to take photos so it does not bother me.
I’d bump it up a star if someone is aware of how to get the 60P video to operate with no stuttering (and not using Panasonic’s software package).

UPDATED WARRANTY Info (12/30/2010):
Because there looks to be so much confusion and misinformation about warranty concern surrounding this camcorder, I made the decision to update this review to contain the right warranty details. I have personally spoken to Pansonic and confirmed the US warranty. To verify if you have a US edition of this camcorder model (NTSC recording format), take away the camcorder battery. Beneath the battery, there is the official camocorder model # imprinted. If this model # reads, HDC-SD600P, you have an official US edition, with US warrnaty. If your camcorder model # reads HDC-SD600GK, you have a UK edition (PAL recording format) and your warranty probably will not be valid right here in US or may well have a challenging time getting warranty services.

Warranty Information: This camcorder carries one year components and 90 days labor warranty. Battery itself carries 10 days components warranty only. To acquire warranty solutions, please speak to 800-211-PANA. Please note that there is also a postcard integrated in the camcorder box itself for warranty registration and for extended warranty buy discount by way of Pansonic directly.

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Unique Assessment (12/25/2010):
Why did I bought this camcorder? Properly, if you have a residence complete of youngsters, you know how essential it is to preserve individuals precious childhood memories. I have upgraded my CRT TVs to LCD TVs, easy cell phones to iPhones, VCRs to Blu-ray DVD players, but considering that final 10 many years, I had not upgraded my camcorder. I utilized the exact same standard resolution Digital eight, cassette based camcorder because 2001. It was time to ultimately take a plunge and upgrade to a newer technological innovation.
I had been doing my study about digital camcorders with HD recording capabilities. I had set my spending budget to all around 0, to purchase camcorders with decent stability of cost vs. functions. I wasn’t expecting to pay out any more and at the very same time, I didn’t want to cut corners on some simple capabilities.
I researched Sony (as well expensive at comparable capabilities), Canon (broad angle is a joke), JVC (reliability problems) and eventually I settled for this camcorder model, when Amazon presented it in its Gold Box deal. I waited via Thanks-providing, Black Friday and eventually in December, I found this deal here at Amazon.
When I purchased this camcorder model, I could not locate much info about this model, due to the reality that it was lately released in USA (even even though it is provided for sale in UK and other European nations). Basically this camcorder is exact same as HDC-TM700 series camcorder, minus the number of minor functions (such as no developed-in storage memory, no mic input, no manual focus, no five..1 digital surround sound recording). Take away these couple of attributes and you have a camcorder that is cheaper by nearly 0. Perfect compromise considering the fact I do not intend to use these features, whilst saving additional 0.

Following objects are included in the box,
one) Camcorder
2) Battery
3) Battery Charger/Adapter
four) AC Cable
five) DC Cable
6) USB Cable
seven) AV Multi-cable
Stylus Pen
9) Lens Hood
10) Remote Management
11) CD with Drivers/Computer software and so forth
12) Manuals

Initial impression: This camcorder is really tiny, has a very modest foot print, and aesthetically it is very pleasing. It weighs only .85 lbs with battery and SD card installed. Wow, what a relief!! It grips comfortably in your palms. I was ready to record straight 30 minutes of a birthday party video, with out any fatigue, a task not possible to achieve with my old digital 8mm camcorder. In spite of its light weight, it has a solid-constructed really feel to it. It does not feel cheaply constructed or flimsy.

Operation: I employed 8GB SDHC card for my recording purposes. I was in a position to record close to 45 minutes of video clips (at 1080i/60p) and few pictures, taken at 14.2 Megapixels. I got all around 80 minutes of recording time on a complete battery charge. I assume taking images with flash probably decreased that all round video recording time proportionately. Touch screen based handle alternatives are more than sufficient and they function properly. Touch display control feature itself functions very effectively. Display itself can be rotated 180 and folded back in to the camcorder body. Touch screen also displays operational messages. For illustration, when you zoom in as well quick, or move camcorder about too fast, it displays the warning. 18x intelligent zoom works quite well. If you feel adventurous sufficient, you can enable digital zoom as properly and get up to 700x zoom array, although its usability is questionable, unless of course you are employing a tripod (tripod mount is at on the bottom side).
I am extremely pleased with the nevertheless image quality at 14.2MP. Photographs are sharp, vibrant and clear. There are no detectable…

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Nicely, I am positive this camcorder will be discontinued quickly with the new models released. But I want to clarify a few items. I have just lately heard people saying on various web sites

First, some people have been saying”:

“The Panasonic SD60k is only 50 dollars more and offers a better set of functions, zoom, and so on.” This is ill informed. This camcorder has 3X the sensor chips a lower Fstop (that means brighter video), a genuine Lecia Dicomar lens (not generic pany) and the crystal engine pro processing engine (superior processing engine).

This is a completely far more advanced piece of engineering. The SD60 is a midrange, this is the toprange flagship consumer camcorder. However the midrange is Nevertheless 50 dollars much more. If you feel about this you will see how ridiculous it is. Get this a single instead.

I personally owned the SDX1 (the midrange class camcorder for 2011) and the SD600 at the identical time so I ran side by side video comparisons, which I presented to my wife to see if she could tell the distinction. We bust out laughing the distinction was so apparent, and she by no means mistook the SD600 for the SD60, not even as soon as.

I have also heard

“This camcorder does not have sufficient zoom.” With higher definition, it is a lot harder to get bigger zoom and Preserve substantial definition. Therefore, at the max zoom of 18X you will still have Large DEFINITION video at 1080p60. Not like an SD camcorder, which only has to preserve SD video. You can even now zoom digital zoom, and since it is in HD with so much far more detail the video will nevertheless be much greater than standard SD for a pretty good bit of zoom range. In addition, 12-18times is far more than adequate for any affordable application for which you would require to view something in substantial def. If you can see the hairs on the eyebrows of your daughter on stage that is close adequate. The SD60 offers a bit much more zoom, but thena acquire you loose on colour, sharpness, lower light, in conversion help, Mbs (17 vs 28) and general video good quality. Is a number of X zoom actually worth all that and a lot more?

I have also heard:

“Software package is not compatible.” This is merely not correct. The software program is now, it wasnt in jan 2010. Nevertheless, the camcorder has a conversion help feature which cuts down the conversion of 1080p60 footage by 35X for me…so…right after I convert to 1080i60 or SD for family with no blu ray players I have no issues at all.

If you do not know what I am speaking about, you require to understand. Interlaced video is when the video is filmed at two seperate moments in time then mixed into a single frampe. 1080p60 is progressive, which means each and every frame is filmed as one particular comprehensive frame. A lot greater good quality overall.


I have also heard

The fan is loud.

Hogwash. Unless of course you are filming indoors of birds out your window you are quite unlikely to recognize it. In addition, the autofocus on the SDX1 was Practically just as loud as the fan. The two only noticable in that a single condition for me. Possibly in a quite woods filming birds it would be a small irritating. But even then there is generally enough background noises, crickets, and so on, that the acquire on the mic sets itself such that I am not capable to hear it.

I have also heard.

“The fan introduces an extra moving component which may possibly fail.”

True, but then once again panasonic only offers a 90 day labor warranty. So you actually must purchase with a credit card that doubles warranty, and consider a third celebration warranty that will also cover Accidental injury. Then the fan is a non situation anyway.


I have study a lot of other…stuff…out there, by misinformed individuals.

This is an amazing camcorder. Remarkable video. Quite functional. I was shocked by how good it is. And for about 60% less than any camcorder of even comparable video high quality, it is a no-brainer obtain.