Panasonic HDC-SD60

Product Tour Summary
• The HDC-SD60 features a new 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor and a 25x optical zoom lens. • The lens also features a built-in cover. • The HDC-SD60 comes in black or silver.
	Introduction	(Page 2 of 11)	Compression & Media

 

Lens & Imaging System

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The new 25x optical zoom lens is one of the most impressive features of the HDC-SD60.

 

The HDC-SD60 has most of the same features as Panasonic's mid-range HD models from last year, but Panasonic has done a lot of tinkering under the hood. The SD60 has a new 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor and it is equipped with a 25x optical zoom lens—both significant improvements over last year's models.

Lens			Sensor
Filter Diameter	None		Type	CMOS
Focal Range	3.02 - 75.5mm		Size	1/4.1 inches
Focal Range (35mm equiv.)	35.7 - 893mm		Pixel Count (Gross)	3.32 megapixels
Aperture	f/1.8 - f/3.3		Pixel Count (Effective)	2.11 megapixels (video) 2.32 megapixel (stills)

 

Front

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The front of the camcorder has a flash and video light.

The HDC-SD60 looks pretty standard from the front, although the new LED video light worked surprisingly well. There's also a built-in flash above the lens and a built-in speaker below. The new wide-angle, 25x optical zoom lens is quite impressive for a mid-range HD camcorder.

Right

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The right side is mostly plastic, but it is very comfortable to hold.

 

The right side of the camcorder is mostly plastic, but it does have a comfortable, textured feel. The DC port is also rather hidden at the top left and is covered by a plastic protector.

Back

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The battery pack loads in the back of the camcorder.

 

On the back of the camcorder is the battery compartment, a mode dial switch, and the start/stop record button.

Left

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The HDC-SD60 isn't overly populated with buttons.

Inside the LCD cavity are a number of ports—HDMI terminal, USB port, and the AV-multi connector (works with Panasonic's combo AV and Component cable). The SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot is also located inside the LCD cavity along with the power button. The 2.7-inch LCD flips out on the left side and has a number of buttons on the base of the panel.

Top

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The top of the HDC-SD60 has a few controls.

 

The top of the camcorder has the zoom toggle, photo shutter button, and a grooved area to place your fingertips. There are also two small buttons—the OIS (image stabilization) and iA/Manual button—on the top side of the camcorder.

Bottom

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The bottom has a tripod mount and battery release.