Panasonic SDR-S26 Product Specs
The Panasonic SDR-S26 ($269 MSRP) is a standard definition camcorder with a killer 70x optical zoom lens—the longest optical zoom in the consumer marketplace. Unfortunately, the camcorder's video performance and handling leaves a lot to be desired, although it does offer an impressive amount of manual controls.
We know you may be wondering why we're reviewing a 2009 camcorder when we're already a couple of weeks into 2010. Since most of the new 2010 models are still a few months from hitting the shelves, we felt there was still a considerable market for the Panasonic SDR-S26. This review is for anyone that might be shopping around in '09 models to save themselves a little cash.
*Update: The JVC Everio GZ-MG670 was selected as our 2009 Standard Definition Camcorder of the Year. To see why we selected it and read about our other awards, "check out the 2009 CamcorderInfo.com Select Awards":http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Camcorderinfo-com-Select-Awards-2009-37268.htm.*
| Panasonic SDR-S26- Specs | |
|---|---|
| Original Price | 269 |
| Year | 2009 |
| Format | Flash Memory |
| Class | Consumer |
| HD | No |
| General Type | Basic Budget |
| Image Stabilization | optical |
| 3D Capable | No |
| SD Video Format | MPEG-2 |
| Frame Rate(s) | 60i |
| Primary Audio Format | Dolby Digital |
| Secondary Audio Format | MP2 |
| Primary Media | Memory Card |
| Memory Card Type | SD/SDHC |
| Recording Quality Option(s) | XP, SP, LP |
| Included Software | VideoCam Suite 2.0 |
| Recording Media | Memory Card |
| Zoom Control Type(s) | Toggle |
| Optical Zoom | 70 x |
| Digital Zoom | 50 x |
| Manual Focus | Yes |
| Manual Focus Control Type(s) | joystick |
| Focus Assist / Peaking | No |
| Manual Exposure | No |
| Manual Aperture | Yes |
| Minimum Aperture (f/) | 0.0 f/ |
| Maximum Aperture (f/) | 0.0 f/ |
| Manual Shutter Speed | Yes |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 1/60 |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 |
| Manual White Balance | Yes |
| White Balance Presets | Auto/Indoor/Outdoor/White Set |
| Manual Gain | Yes |
| Manual Noise Reduction | No |
| Audio Dubbing | No |
| Auto / Easy Mode | Yes |
| Face Detection | No |
| Color / Image Control(s) | Soft Skin Mode |
| Scene Mode(s) | Sports, Portrait, Low Light, Spotlight, Surf & Snow |
| Other Manual Control(s) | Guide Lines |
| Still-Video Hybrid | Yes |
| Still Image Resolution(s) | 640 x 480 |
| Flash | No |
| Simultaneous Video / Still Recording | No |
| Self Timer | No |
| Manual ISO | No |
| Continuous Shot | No |
| Bracketing | No |
| Body Type | horizontal |
| Weight (with battery pack) | 257 g |
| Weight (w/o battery pack) | 235 g |
| Width (mm) | 56.0 mm |
| Height (mm) | 65.0 mm |
| Length (mm) | 107.0 mm |
| Body Color(s) | black, gold, blue, red |
| LCD Size (inches) | 2.7 in. |
| LCD Resolution (pixels) | 123000 pixels |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Viewfinder | No |
| Viewfinder Diopter Adjuster | No |
| Video Light | No |
| Waterproof | No |
| Composite (RCA) output | Yes |
| Composite (RCA) input | No |
| FireWire | No |
| Audio-only AV input | No |
| S-Video | No |
| USB | Yes |
| Component output | No |
| Component input | No |
| HDMI | No |
| Headphone output | No |
| External Microphone input | No |
| LANC / Control L | No |
| Accessory Shoe (Cold) | No |
| Accessory Shoe (Hot) | No |
| Included Wireless Remote | No |
| WiFi | No |
| GPS | No |
| DC Power | Yes |
| Docking Station | No |
| Card Slot 1 | SD/SDHC |
| Included Battery | VW-VBJ10 |
| Other Accessories | AV cable, AC adaptor, USB cable, AC cable, software CD-ROM |
| Panasonic SDR-S26 Scores | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Score | Weighting | |
| Color Score | 9.54 | 2.0 | |
| Noise Score | 6.34 | 1.0 | |
| Wide Angle Score | 10.8 | 0.8 | |
| Motion Score | 3.5 | 1.0 | |
| Video Sharpness Score | 3.18 | 4.0 | |
| Low Light Color Score | 7.13 | 1.25 | |
| Low Light Sensitivity Score | 1.67 | 1.5 | |
| Low Light Noise Score | 9.94 | 1.25 | |
| Compression Score | 2.5 | 1.0 | |
| Media Score | 5.0 | 1.5 | |
| Editing Score | 5.5 | 0.75 | |
| Auto Mode Score | 8.26 | 0.5 | |
| Zoom Score | 6.0 | 0.75 | |
| Zoom Ratio Score | 13.91 | 0.5 | |
| Focus Score | 4.0 | 0.7 | |
| Exposure Score | 0.0 | 0.65 | |
| Aperture Score | 9.5 | 0.65 | |
| Shutter Speed Score | 8.8 | 0.6 | |
| White Balance Score | 6.5 | 0.55 | |
| Gain Score | 4.0 | 0.5 | |
| Color & Image Controls Score | 1.5 | 0.5 | |
| Other Manual Controls Score | 1.5 | 0.5 | |
| Still Features Score | 3.93 | 0.8 | |
| Ease of Use Score | 5.75 | 1.25 | |
| Handling Score | 6.5 | 1.25 | |
| Stabilization Score | 6.85 | 1.0 | |
| Portability Score | 9.9 | 0.8 | |
| Battery Life Score | 4.1 | 1.0 | |
| LCD & Viewfinder Score | 7.17 | 0.6 | |
| Menus Score | 3.0 | 1.0 | |
| Playback Score | 3.0 | 0.3 | |
| Connectivity Score | 1.0 | 0.8 | |
| Audio Features Score | 2.15 | 1.0 | |
| Other Features Score | 2.5 | 0.5 | |
| Total: | 175 | ||
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