Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included)

Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included)
by Panasonic

Our Price: $499.95
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Category: Digital Camera
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Customers in the UK, buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Release Date: 2007-04-30
Model: SDR-S10
Product features:

Capture video to flash memory; up to 100 minutes of footage on a 2 GB SD card
10x optical zoom; 2.7-inch LCD monitor
Rugged, lightweight design; water-resistant construction, impact-resistant up to 4 feet
1.7-second Quick Start function
2 GB SD card included

Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included)

Customer Review: Durable little camera that takes excellent video
Summary: 5 Stars

I have been using this little camera for a couple weeks now and really like it. The picture quality is very good, with a caveat, the recorded files must first go through a computer. This is of utmost importance, and also the reason I suspect for so many bad reviews on this camera. I must say that I too was ready to return it when I first played back my initial clips directly from the camera via the supplied video/audio cable to my Sony 32" CRT TV set. The images were very jagged with pronounced aliasing and the overall video quality was definitely not acceptable. In spite of that, I decided to go one step further and burn a DVD using those same video clips. What a difference! I could hardly believe I was watching the same video, and on the same Sony TV set too. I presume that for some reason or another direct playback onto a conventional interlaced TV just does not work very well, the saving grace of course is that the actual recorded video on the SD card is indeed good.

Basic operation of the camera is just that, basic and simple. There are no moving parts, except for the zoom/focus lens as the images and sound are recorded directly to a removable SD camera card. I am using a 4 gig SDHC card that I already had, and it gives me about 1 hour recording time when set on high quality (XP). The camera also has a few lesser quality modes for increased recording times. Selections are made through a menu, via a 4 way switch, and a few small buttons, all of which are straight forward and simple to use.

I have found the video quality to be excellent in bright light having brilliant well saturated colors, however as light diminishes so does the image. I guess what this means is this camera is best suited for sunny days outside. Not that indoor pictures are bad, just not as colorful as in direct sunlight. Consider though that this is a weather resistant, shock proof, rugged little unit that was specially made for the outdoors. What there is here is a very small video camera specifically designed to be taken outside, dropped in the snow, splashed on by a waterfall, and still fit into a shirt pocket. To that end it is very hard to beat, especially for the price.

The camcorder is capable of recording in both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio modes. I prefer the 4:3 mode as after all this is a standard definition camera, to be used on standard definition TV's. It makes no sense to stretch the pixel image unnecessarily in my opinion, since the electronics are already pushing the limits with size. The image sensor is a modest 1/6 inch with max image resolution 640x480 in 4:3 mode, the pixel count of course will drop in 16:9 mode. While on the subject of pixels, still shots are pretty lame. This is a video camera and should be used as such, bring along a good digital camera for stills! That said, it does a good job doing what it does, taking moving pictures.

Panasonic has provided several preset video scene selections, one being a sort of night shot mode. I found this to be pretty cool. The camera will take decent video of stationary, or slowly moving, objects in very low light. It does not have an infra red mode, so the image is captured using existing light. This gives a natural look to the video, although at the expense of frame rate and long shutter speeds. That means that while you would be able to take great shots of the Golden Gate bridge at night (using a tripod) you won't be able to shoot moving vehicles very well, or at all! Its limited I know, but fun nonetheless.

The steady shot feature works exceptionally well. This is an electronic type of image stabilization, not optical, which means resolution is cut back a little. I tried a series of shots both ways and I cannot tell the difference in image quality, but there sure is a very BIG difference in camera shake. It keeps the image solid right through the optical 10x zoom.

There are also 2 additional digital zoom settings, and as with all digital zooms are of dubious value. The optical zoom though is clear and smooth with good control using the toggle. Better than I had expected.

Playback is via USB and the aforementioned audio/video cable. AC needs to be plugged in for downloading, but so what. I guess so as not to corrupt the SD card by ensuring continuous power. The battery itself is tiny, and charges in a couple hours. It will run the camcorder for about 40 min or so. Extra batteries can be had on line cheap, so the relatively short run time is not a big deal to me.

Handling such a small camera without the attached strap would be really hard to do. Fortunately the carry strap also secures itself to the tripod socket thus forming a loop that fits the hand, similar to the bigger cameras. I found this to be a saving grace in getting a firm purchase on the camera. One should note here that this carry strap/hand loop attaches to the tripod socket using special threads, meaning that the strap must first be screwed into the camera and the tripod then screwed into the strap socket. Some may find this annoying, but it's a non issue in practical terms. There are 2 separate shutter buttons, one being conventionally located below the zoom toggle, and another located forward and on the side allowing the camera to be held in the palm while the index finger operates the camera record button.

The visual LCD display is bright and crisp, rotating up and down but not forward, meaning you can't stand in front of the lens and watch yourself, not an issue for me. It is easier that I had expected to see in bright light.

Sound is via a built in mic with no external jack. Audio quality is excellent when close, delivering crisp clear sound, but tends to fade with distance as most small units do. There is a zoom mic feature which increases volume according to the zoom setting, I found that not particularly effective. Nonetheless I am quite satisfied with the sound quality.

Output files are saved as .mod file extensions. They convert to Windows Media compatible .mov automatically as soon as the files are downloaded to the computer when using the supplied software. This allows the downloaded clips to be instantly viewable in Windows with no further conversion. As for the supplied software itself, although I have read numerous articles to the contrary, I've found it to be simple, easy, and powerful for basic editing. It's a great little editing program that works well, however it seems to have been made by people that did not speak very good English. I think that may well be the reason for the negative software reviews, and I confess it is a little annoying reading hacked up English. Get beyond that though and you'll find it to be a simple, easy to operate editor providing good basic special effects, titles, ability to add background music and burn DVD's quite easily. If a person just wants to get the clips out of the camera with no edits at all, that's a cake walk. Simply drag the clip thumbnails to the time line in what ever order you chose, then just click the burn DVD button and it will make a high quality DVD that plays wonderfully on a standard resolution TV. You won't be disappointed with the video quality when doing this. Beyond that a pretty impressive production can also be made using the full editing features.

Bottom line is this is a very nice camcorder for those wishing durability and simplicity while still getting a decent picture and sound. Fact is this will be the camera most often taken to the beach, or snow skiing, or packed along on a hike while bigger cameras will stay home safely planted on a closet shelf. It's a good choice for active people. It will not equal the image quality or features of those bigger, more fragile camcorders, but it will most likely be the camera actually there when Bigfoot waves to you on a rainy day in the deep forest! My only real complaint is I sure do wish it came with a lens cover, actually the lens itself is protected by a clear glass window, but it'd sure have been nice to be able to cover that. I guess one could improvise. Also the plastic door that covers the output/power jacks is a little flimsy, but with care should last. The battery compartment door is spring loaded and more substantial, although both doors are rubber lined to keep water and dust out. I gave this camera a 5 star rating because it does what it is claimed to do.

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Description of Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included)

The SDR-S10 features water-resistant and dust-proof construction without any moving parts in its image capturing and storage process. The lightweight, compact SDR-S10 is equipped with a 10x optical zoom, quick-start technology, and a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. It includes a 2GB SD Card capable of holding up to 100 minutes of video (in LP mode). With its ability to record on SD and SDHC Memory Cards, the new SDR-S10 breaks the boundaries of conventional video cameras and offers a new style of shooting. It lets users shoot with the same casual ease they enjoy with digital still cameras. The SDR-S10 is also exceptionally compact and lightweight, so users can carry it with them almost anytime.

Digital Cameras and Photo Categories

Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included)