Panasonic HDC-SDT750

Ease of Use (6.5)

As a 2D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750 is fairly easy to use—really no different than the HDC-TM700 before it. The camcorder has a touchscreen interface, a good instruction manual, and an onscreen tool tip window that provides extra information about menu options. The menu is simple to navigate, but things do get confusing with the multiple menu setups on the camcorder. There's the main menu and there's also the function menu on the bottom of the LCD. Add the lens ring controls to the mix and you've got a bit of a confusing situation, but it isn't too difficult to figure out. We do wish Panasonic would provide better icons (or text) on the function menu, though, as the current icons are often very difficult to figure out.

When shooting 3D content with the camcorder things are actually a lot more difficult. For starters, you must calibrate the 3D conversion lens, which is a process unlike anything else we've seen on a consumer camcorder. Even attaching the conversion lens to the front of the camcorder can be a fairly difficult process due to the small filter thread provided on the front of the HDC-SDT750 (we had to try a few times before it fit snugly).

After attaching the 3D conversion lens, a set of calibration instructions automatically appears on the screen. The instructions provide a good amount of information, and we like their step-by-step nature, but some of the wording (particularly in the final instruction) is a bit confusing. Further instruction and tips on 3D shooting can be found in the camcorder's manual.

Our point is, if you're going to shoot 3D with the SDT750, be prepared to spend some time with the camcorder and figure out how to work its conversion lens and the 3D settings. Many novice camcorder users don't like to see the word "calibration," but you should expect to see it a lot if you plan on shooting in 3D with the HDC-SDT750.

The menu setup is straightforward...		... and the info box provides helpful notes.

Handling (7.85)

As a regular camcorder, the HDC-SDT750 handles in an identical manner to the Panasonic HDC-TM700. The two camcorders have the same dimensions and nearly the same weight (the TM700 is five grams heavier because of its internal memory). They have the same hand straps, the same 3-inch LCD, and the same touchscreen interface. So, if you want to read about how the SDT750 handles as a regular 2D camcorder, check out the handling section of our HDC-TM700 review here.

The camcorder is a bit unbalanced with its 3D conversion lens attached.

Attaching the 3D conversion lens to the HDC-SDT750 turns the camcorder into a completely different device. It nearly doubles in size and its weight increases drastically. We also found the camcorder to be a bit heavier up front witht he lens attached, which can lead to dipping if your hand gets tired. This is where a better hand strap would come in... err... handy.

From the back, the HDC-SDT750 looks like a regular camcorder.

Using the 3D conversion lens is the most difficult thing you can do with the HDC-ST750. That doesn't mean it is a huge challenge to figure out, it is just a lot more confusing and awkward than anything else on the camcorder. Screwing in the conversion lens can be annoying (it is difficult to match the screw threads), calibrating the lens is a pain, and using the camcorder to shoot 3D content hand-held is definitely a nuisance. The camcorder has no manual controls when the 3D conversion lens is attached (except white balance), and you cannot even zoom when you shoot 3D content. In short, you are extremely limited as to how you can shoot with the 3D conversion lens attached.

The 3D conversion lens has a set of calibration controls on its top.

We recommend using a tripod to shoot 3D video with the HDC-SDT750 when possible. The camcorder is easier to use this way, you'll have less trouble calibrating the conversion lens, and your 3D videos will look better. In our testing, we found that 3D content looked incredibally disorienting when we moved the camcorder around a lot and the 3D effect looked far less impressive. The HDC-SDT750 was at its best when we held the camcorder still (or mounted it on a tripod) and shot subjects in 3D that were 4 to 10 feet away from the lens.

Stabilization (11.9)

Panasonic camcorders have done a very good job in our stabilization test for the past few years and the HDC-SDT750 kicks things up a notch with its improved Hybrid OIS feature. The camcorder employs an optical image stabilization system with three settings: regular, hybrid, and a powered IS feature that requires you to hold down a button on the LCD to activate. The camcorder did an excellent job in our test with all three settings. (More on how we test stabilization.)

Before you look at the numbers from our test, keep in mind that the powered IS feature requires you to hold down a button on the LCD during the duration of your recording. For this reason we didn't use the numbers we got from that test because the mere fact that our hands were touching the camcorder while it was on our stabilization rig skewed our results. Still, the numbers do provide you with some good information (and it does more or less reflect real-world use).

In our low shake test, we found the SDT750 to reduce shake by 77% with the camcorder's regular stabilization, 76% with Hybrid OIS, and 85% with the powered IS feature. These numbers are very similar to how the Panasonic HDC-TM700 performed in this test.

With our high shake test we saw a strong improvement on the HDC-SDT750 (compared to previous Panasonic models). The camcorder's regular OIS reduced 85% of the shake, while the Hybrid OIS and powered IS reduced 82% and 83% respectively. What these numbers tell us is that in high shake it really doesn't matter what stabilization feature you use—they are all equally effective (and are all extremely good at reducing shake).

Panasonic HDC-SDT750 Stabilization Effectiveness

77% correction at low shake (above) 85% correction at high shake (below)

You can use the stabilization feature on the HDC-SDT750 when shooting 3D content with the camcorder. Unfortunately, our testing showed the stabilization system didn't function very well in this setting. It still reduced the shakiness of the image, but it was nothing like what we saw in our test results shown above. Of course, the camcorder is much heavier and weighted far differently when its 3D conversion lens is attached, so those variables had a strong impact on our test.

The clip above shows the HDC-SDT750's stabilization system in action. Watch the vidoe to get a better idea as to how much the camcorder reduced shake during recording.

Stabilization Score Comparison		Compare the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 to the Canon HF S21
		Compare the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 to the Sony HDR-CX550V
		Compare the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 to the Panasonic HDC-TM700

Portability (7.55)

Without its 3D conversion lens, the HDC-SDT750 has the same dimensions and is only 5g lighter than the Panasonic HDC-TM700. This makes it one of the most compact high-end camcorders on the market. Of course, this comes at the cost of having a smaller LCD than the competition.

Then there's the case of the 3D conversion lens, which increases the weight of the HDC-SDT750 by roughly 50% and makes the camcorder a whole lot longer. The conversion lens itself has dimensions of 78 x 59 x 97, which is larger than most ultracompact camcorders on their own. Our point is, if you're going to be shooting 3D with the HDC-SDT750 don't expect the camcorder to be all that portable. The conversion lens morphs the camcorder from one of the most compact high-end options, to one of the bulkiest and unbalanced models we've seen.

	Panasonic HDC-SDT750	Canon HF S21	Sony HDR-CX550V	Panasonic HDC-TM700
Primary Media	SD/SDHC/SDHXC memory card	64GB internal flash memory	64GB internal flash memory	32GB internal flash memory
Secondary Media	None	2x SD/SDHC card slots	SD/SDHC/Memory Stick PRO Duo card slot	SD/SDHC memory card
Weight	435g (with battery) 630g (w/battery & 3D converter)	520g (with battery)	480g (with battery)	440g (with battery)
Size	66 x 69 x 138mm (body only) 78 x 69 x 235mm (with 3D converter)	75 x 74 x 148mm	66 x 74 x 143mm	66 x 69 x138mm

Battery Life (5.35)

The HDC-SDT750 lasted for 107 minutes in our battery life test, which is identical to the amount of time the Sony HDR-CX550V and Panasonic HDC-TM700 lasted in this same test. The Canon HF S21 was the big loser in this test, lasting close to 30 minutes less than the other three camcorders in this set.  (More on how we test battery life.)

All of these models, the HDC-SDT750 included, have open battery compartments. So, if you'd like to purchase a larger battery that will allow for longer record times, you can easily do so (but those extra batteries can be pricey).
 

Battery Life Comparisons

The HDC-SDT750 with its provided battery.

LCD & Viewfinder (9.58)

The HDC-SDT750 has the same 3-inch LCD as the Panasonic HDC-TM700 and the HDC-HS700 that came before it. While the 3-inch screen is an improvement over last year's Panasonic camcorders, it is still a good half-inch smaller than what you'll find on the Canon HF S21 and Sony HDR-CX550V (as well as the flagship model from Samsung, the HMX-S16). We'd like to see Panasonic bump up the size of its LCD to 3.5 or 4 inches on its next high-end model.

The 3-inch LCD is a bit smaller than what you get on flagship models from other manufacturers.

The SDT750 does have a viewfinder, which is a feature that is often found on flagship models, but is rare to see anywhere else. The viewfinder is small, uncomfortable, and does not angle upwards. It does extend, however, which helps the viewfinder accomodate for larger battery packs that may be loaded beneath it, and it has a diopter adjustment dial.

The viewfinder can extend out from the camcorder a tiny bit.

	Panasonic HDC-SDT750	Canon HF S21	Sony HDR-CX550V	Panasonic HDC-TM700
LCD Size	3 inches	3.5 inches	3.5 inches	3 inches
LCD Resolution	230,400 pixels	922,000 pixels	921,000 pixels	230,400 pixels
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Panasonic HDC-SDT750 Comparisons
Canon HF S21	Sony HDR-CX550V	Panasonic HDC-TM700