Uploaded by TrustedReviews on Apr 21, 2011
The HDC-SD90 will grab your attention with its optional 3D shooting. But it also offers a host of enthusiast features, including comprehensive manual control, all the requisite attachments for an external audio source (except a headphone jack), and excellent image quality. In all, it's a great choice as a budget alternative to a high-end model.
You can read our full text review on TrustedReviews.com:http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-HDC-SD90_Camcorder_review
TrustedReviews says
Panasonic HDC-SD90
The 3D revolution is already with us in earnest. Just six months ago, there was only one consumer-grade 3D camcorder worth considering, Panasonic’s HDC-SDT750. But already we’re seeing the floodgates beginning to open, and not just at the high-end, early-adopter section of the market. Panasonic’s HDC-SD90 is far more mid-range in positioning, yet it offers optional 3D shooting alongside a wealth of enthusiast features.
The image stabilisation system also blends digital and optical methods. Called Hybrid OIS, its combination of techniques provides stronger smoothing of camera vibrations than either on its own. We found it quite effective, certainly on par with the advanced stabilisation methods available from competitors.
Another surprise comes from the range of video recording formats available. Alongside the usual array AVCHD modes, all of which operate at 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD resolution with 50i interlaced fields, the SD90 also offers a 50p option. This records at 50 frames per second, for smoother motion, but the file format switches to MP4 from AVCHD, which can have compatibility issues. There’s also an iFrame mode available, which uses a quarter-HD resolution of 960 x 540, and is allegedly provided for Mac compatibility. Still images can be grabbed up to 5Mpixels, with a 2,592 x 1,944 resolution, although this is reduced to 4.5Mpixels and 2,816 x 1,584 when shooting video at the same time.
Overall
9/10
Scores in detail
- Value
- 9/10
- Features
- 9/10
- Design
- 9/10
Features
- 1/4.1in CMOS sensor with 3.32Mpixels
- 1080/50p Full HD
- SDXC-compatible SD memory slot
- 26x optical zoom; 40x Intelligent zoom
- Compatible with 3D attachment
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great video performance
- Comprehensive enthusiast features
- Optional 3D shooting
Cons
- No headphone minijack
- 3D lens £280 extra
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User reviews & comments
Reactions (0)
- Way to complicated
- theres actualy quite a bigg diff between the sd60 and 90 , look at a side by side comparereview
- I'm going between SD90 or SD60, and the SD90 doesn't seem that much greater... but sadly the SD60 is out of most stores by now. :(
- Anyone know where to buy a step up ring that fits so you can put an UV filter on for protection?It has a 41,5 mm thread and i can't seem to find any step up rings that fits panasonic sd 90.Has Panasonic really produced a camcorder that you can't put a standard UV filter on?
- Should I sell my Panasonic SD60 and buy this one instead?
- What I really like is it's compactness.
- @duttasanjiv
- Awesome review, keep uploading camcorder videos. You might not get so many views but you help the people like me that are looking for exactly a review of this camcorder very very much! Thanks :)
- what about the depth of field / iris control? That is very important for creative work. Also you could kindly test the lens quality against direct sun or bright lights etc.Thx in adv
- Are you sure that 1080p50 is recorded in MP4 container? Also, you did not say anything about iFrame, though it is shown in the menu. Have you confused iFrame, which is 540p25, with 1080p50?
cliche
arfield
The 60p (or 50p!) mode works very well indeed, and the manual controls are quite extensive for a camera at this price level - and even if you never get the 3d accessory, the extra features above the SD80 (or TM80) make it worthwhile imho.
I've no idea why they bothered including the iframe mode though - both AVC and MP4 seem to work great for me via imovie 11 / mac.
One feature in the menu (has to be in manual mode) I didn't see mentioned - which is relevant as the review mentioned that panasonic don't emphasise the colour vibrancy! - is DCI colour, which records video in an expanded colour gamut. As this is 'the next big thing' for displays / movies (it's already available in several high-end consumer projectors for example), it was a really nice surprise to see it in there.
Anyway, I totally agree with the review's summary - definitely recommended.