Panasonic HDC-SDT750

Sony's flagship model for 2010, the HDR-CX550V, is a solid camcorder that is easy to use, but it lacks a few of the manual controls that you find on high-end models from Panasonic and Canon. The CX550V is cheaper than the HDC-SDT750, but its price tag is still a lot higher than that of the Panasonic HDC-TM700 and JVC GZ-HM1 (both of which are very good, high-end camcorders).

Is there a compelling reason to go with the HDR-CX550V? Well, it does have one of the better auto modes on the market, so it is good for beginners, and it is one of the few HD camcorders that also has the capability of recording standard definition video (a feature that is found on most Sony models). This ability to record SD video is probably the best thing about the Sony HDR-CX550V, and it makes the camcorder an excellent "bridge" model for those who are slowly making the switch over to HD.

The Sony does not have a 25p or 50p record mode—all of its video is captured at 1080/50i (except for the SD record modes). The camcorder does have a limited slow motion mode as well, but its quality is poor and the controls are very limited. And, although it should be obvious to most readers, the Sony HDR-CX550V cannot record 3D video. If that is the feature you're looking for, you really only have one choice at this point: the Panasonic HDC-SDT750.

As a 2D camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 is better than the HDR-CX550V, but their difference isn't huge. The fact that the HDR-CX550V is $200 less makes it the better buy, even though the SDT750 did better in a number of our tests (and it has more manual controls). Remember, though, this is just 2D videography we're talking about.

	Comparison Specs
	Panasonic HDC-SDT750	Sony HDR-CX550V
Price	$1399	$1199
Primary Recording Media	SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards	64GB internal flash memory
Secondary Recording Media	None	SD/SDHC/Memory Stick PRO Duo card slot
Image Sensor	1/4.1-inch CMOS (x3)	1/2.88-inch CMOS
Effective Pixel Count	7.59 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x3)	4.15 megapixels
Mic Input	Yes	Yes
LCD	3-inch with 230,400 pixels	3.5-inch with 921,000 pixels
Viewfinder	Yes	Yes
Weight	435g (with battery) 630g (w/battery & 3D converter)	490g
Dimensions	66 x 69 x 138mm (body only) 78 x 69 x 235mm (with 3D converter)	66 x 74 x 143mm
HD	Yes	Yes
Frame Rates	50i, 50p, 25p	50i
Compression	AVCHD (50i) MPEG-4 original format (50p recording)	AVCHD
Maximum Bitrate	28Mbps (1080/50p) 17Mbps (1080/50i)	24Mbps
Optical Zoom	12x (no zoom with 3D converter)	10x
Stabilization	Hybrid OIS (works with 3D converter)	Optical with Active mode

Low Light Comparison
Panasonic HDC-SDT750	Sony HDR-CX550V

Video Sharpness Score Comparison