Panasonic SDR-S10
Pocket-lint reports on the Panasonic SDR-S10, which sports the following specs and features:
* Quick Start function
* 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
* 10x optical zoom
shock and sufficient impact resistance measures
* water-resistant design
Source.
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Panasonic SDR-S10 Press Release
Panasonic today announced a new SD Memory Card Camcorder for shooting video under conditions that would relegate most camcorders to the inside of a protective case.
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″” wide LCD. It will ship with a 2GB SD Card capable of holding up to 100 minutes of video (LP mode).
With its ability to record on SD / 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.
“The SDR-S10 is the ultimate computer and travel accessory,” said Rudy Vitti, Panasonic camcorder National Marketing Manager. “This rugged, compact camcorder packs easily so youll never miss an opportunity to record and share memories of your recreational activities, from snowboarding to boating.”
Thanks to its use of SD / SDHC Memory Cards, the SDR-S10 also has several other key advantages.
1. Impact-resistance to withstand the impact of being dropped from up to 4 feet*
Unlike recording media such as hard disk drives or DVD discs, SD / SDHC Memory Cards require no drive mechanism. This gives the SDR-S10 sufficient impact resistance to prevent malfunction when dropped from up to 4 feet. It is the ideal camera for anytime use outdoors, in active situations, and for casual everyday video shooting.
2. Water-resistant construction**
The SDR-S10 boasts a water-resistant design that eliminates worries about using the SDR-S10 at the poolside, around a ski lodge, and in other outdoor settings.
3. Quick Start function for capturing sudden photo opportunities
Unlike with hard drives and DVD discs, a camera can read an SD / SDHC Memory Card instantly. This made it possible for Panasonic to develop a Quick Start function that allows the SDR-S10 to begin recording just 1.7 seconds after the power is switched on - less than half the time required by video cameras with hard drives. With the SDR-S10, it is easier to catch those special moments that come without warning
4. Attractive design
A flush surface design takes maximum advantage of the compact body and gives the SDR-S10 a smart, stylish look that makes this video camera suitable to take anywhere, just like a compact still camera. The SDR-S10 is designed for easy shooting, too. The grip is designed so that, when desired, you can stabilize the SDR-S10 by bracing your elbow against the body, as with conventional video cameras. Or, as an alternative, the Sub REC button on the camera front makes it possible to shoot with a pistol-grip style.
5. Extended recording capability SD / SDHC Memory Cards
Memory Cards provide an ideal combination of compactness, impact resistance, and extended recording capability, making them one of the best-balanced media for the future. The 4GB SDHC Memory Card allows up to 100 minutes of recording, and the 2GB SD Memory Card that comes with the SDR-S10 allows up to 50 minutes***.
* MIL-STD-810F METHOD 516.5 SHOCK. This product was dropped on top of 2 thick plywood. This does not guarantee the unit will not be damaged or malfunction.
** IEC60529 / EN60529 IPX4 Splash-proof type. This does not guarantee the unit is water resistant in all situations.
*** In MPEG-2 format and SP mode
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Panasonic SDR-S10 Reviews
CNET has a review of the Panasonic SDR-S150 and writes, “Though it’s fun and easy to shoot with, that’s where the enjoyment stops. The most obvious problem I hit is its pitiful battery life. After fully charging the battery, I shot about 14 minutes of video and a handful of stills with a few flash shots, at which point it had dropped to about one-quarter of capacity. Plus, the focus is slow to lock. And once I got home, I couldn’t help but be disappointed with the results. Videos never achieve true sharpness and display severe interlace artifacts, and weaknesses are exacerbated by poor auto white balance–the sensor is on the side of the camcorder–and inconsistent metering. For stills, throw in random flash exposures and a seriously overprocessed look that should settle the new math argument once and for all: three 800,000-pixel sensors never equals one 3-megapixel image.” Link.
CamcorderInfo has a first impressions review of the Panasonic SDR-S10 and writes, “The SDR-S10 is a sexy little camcorder. If you’re looking for a device that achieves the impossible – i.e. slipping into a woman’s pants pocket – this camcorder may appeal to you. It offers Panasonic’s manual control suite in a svelte, rugged, and water resistant frame. It also uses hassle-free and virtually silent SD/SDHC memory cards. All this makes the S10 perhaps the ideal companion for casual YouTube producers. When it comes to video performance, this camcorder does little to separate itself from a pack crowded with 1/6†CCD contenders. And, as for handling, it’s terrific if you’ve got hands the size of a six-year-old or the finger dexterity of a hard-core gamer. Then again, who cares about trifles like video performance and handling when the only reason you got the footage in the first place is that the SDR-S10 happened to be in your jeans pocket?” Link.
Engadget had a chance for a hands-on preview of the Panasonic SDR-S10 at Panasonic’s PMA booth, and writes, “Despite being the “world’s smallest” SDHC camcorder, turns out it’s actually far larger than we originally imagined; and we weren’t won over by the fact that actually holding and using it is pretty awkward (there’s a reason most SD-using camcorders are not horizontally oriented — they don’t need to be!), and the fact that it feels pretty cheap and plasticy, especially for typically very solid-feeling Panny products.” Link.
Trusted Reviews has a review of the Panasonic SDR-S10 and writes, “At under £300, though, the SDR-S10 manages to pull of a bit of a coup. Normally, you would expect to pay a premium for the gadget desirability of a camcorder like this. But the price puts it amongst the lower end of the DV camcorder market. Now that you can buy 8GB SDHC cards for just over £50, the format is starting to look like an affordable option. So for a very reasonable price, the SDR-S10 really is a respectable camcorder you could carry in a trouser pocket without people asking if you were pleased to see them. And it’s water resistant, too!” Link.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:13 am
the cnet reviewer had bad battery. i personally recorded 55 minutes straight the recent lunar eclipse , in its lowest mode, still very very good. And the focus, like its startup is very fast, even with objects moving inbetween, this camera was very smart, very fast, and stubborn where it needs to be.Does CNET ever tell the truth about any product??