Panasonic HDC-SD10K Camcorder - $299.99 AC at Amazon - Free shipping

Amazon has the Panasonic HDC-SD10K Camcorder on sale for 399.99, but use promo code SDIODEAL and get another $100 off, making it $299.99.
Offer good until Nov 30, 2009.

Amazon has a great return policy of 30 days so you can test and then return if it does not work well for you.

Linky

I received this email as well and considering pulling the trigger... the SD10K gets decent reviews from Slashcam ( http://camcorder-test.slashcam.com/compare.html ) and has a nice form factor. The price is pretty decent AND is from Amazon (good thing) and as the op mentioned.

Still $399.99 for me..

I just ordered one. It's a step up from the flip/kodak/aiptek type cameras, though still not as good as a canon. However, for half the price of a canon, it may be a good compromise. In any case, I have time to evaluate it and return it if I don't like it. It's also supposed to have excellent optical image stabilization, which is usually what makes footage unusable. The holy grail for me is great low light performance AND great image stabilization, but I haven't seen that yet at anywhere close to this price point.

edizogg said: I just ordered one. It's a step up from the flip/kodak/aiptek type cameras, though still not as good as a canon. However, for half the price of a canon, it may be a good comprise. In any case, I have time to evaluate it and return it if I don't like it. It's also supposed to have excellent optical image stabilization, which is usually what makes footage unusable. The holy grail for me is great low light performance AND great image stabilization, but I haven't seen that yet at anywhere close to this price point.

The holy grail for me in a camcorder is great low light, *optical* stabilization, **AND** wide angle (28mm at the minimum). You won't find all 3 in a camcorder, well consumer grade camcorders anyway. Which is why I have a Panasonic ZS3 and GF1 (with 20mm 1.7, 14-45mm, and 14-140mm lenses) as my camcorders. If this SD10's quality is anything like the GF1, I'll sell off one of them.

My favorite form factor, and file format (.mp4), is the Sanyo HD1010/HD2000. I had a 1010, love the pistol grip in a camcorder. But it's missing 2 out of 3 of my requirements (45mm "wide" and no OIS). Handshake from that camcorder was unbearable. Electronic "IS" is useless.

HF20 is definitely better than this.. but ur paying less than 1/2 the price of HF20

magicvash said: How's this camera compared to the VIXIA HF20?

TheKricket said: the hf20 is gonna be at bb on bf for 499 - which is a pretty good deal for that particular model...

8% taxes (540) and deal with crowd?
Amazon is at
$624.99 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime

Might be out of stock now at Amazon, just third party vendors now. Also, this does not have a Leica lens: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/Hi-Def-Camcorders/model.HDC-SD10K.S_11002_7000000000000005702#tabsection

The SD20 models do, but the SD10s do not.

WinstonNT said: Wish the code works for other Panasonic models (e.g. HDC-TM300), but it did not.

I tried other models and it did not work and I ended up ordering OP's deal.

I see the cost at $429, and this is the message that I got, "There was a problem. We're sorry, we weren't able to save your gift card or promotional code information. "

in for one...thanks op

Stinkah said: I hate to TC, but I've had the Canon HG10 for a couple of years and figured was time to upgrade to HF200. For indoor shooting, I actually think the HF is worse. I'm so dissapointed, but it's going back to Amazon. In well-lit scenes it's fantastic, but half our footage is indoors (parties, holidays, etc).

I'm going to try the Sanyo Xacti VPC HD2000, but if that don't cut it, time to shell out for the canon HF S100.

How is this TCing? You are talking about canon camcorders on a panasonic thread.

Going from HG10 to HF200 is not an upgrade. The HF2xx line has lower light sensitivity than the HG10/HF1xx line.

I received it today too.. after reading the previous note, I am debating if I should use it ?

why not give it a try?

you can return it anyway if you really do not like it

IrfanPathan said: really? Will they charge a re-stocking fee if I send it back after I open?
zxnm said: why not give it a try?

you can return it anyway if you really do not like it

There's no restocking fee at Amazon. But if you have many returns on your account, Amazon might close your account. I don't know what the exact threshold is. I have probably over 50 orders in the past year from Amazon, made probably 6-8 returns. Amazon sent me an email stating that excessive returns can lead to the closure of my account.

If you're not heavy into video, check out the Panasonic DMC-ZS3. Indoor low-light videos from the ZS3 is great, better than all HD camcorders I ever tried (Sanyo HD1010, Canon HF10, and this SD10). The only thing bad about ZS3's video is daytime video can be overly contrasty and you cannot adjust it. GF1's video is that much better with the much larger sensor and interchangeable lens, can tweak colors and different color style. If you're serious about videos, GH1 is it - complete manual controls, swivel screen, hi-res EVF, 720/60p or 1080/24p.

Sorry this is OT. I'm just so disappointed with these dedicated camcorders.

Dissappointed to see that some aren't happy with he camera. Was hoping to have a good camera to use for the holidays. I'll try it out when I get it and post my thoughts.

Stinkah said: I'm pretty impressed by this clip of the Sanyo VPC-HD2000 under low light.

http://www.vimeo.com/5143392

That does look very good, better than the 1010 I had, MUCH better than the Panny SD10. BUT, the handshake is unbearable on those Sanyos, you can already see the shaky video from zooming just a little bit. That was the most disappointing thing for me on the Sanyo.

Though not as bad as the Panny SD10, the Sanyo 1010 was pretty desaturated/washed out. I wonder if the 2000 fares better in that regard. My idea of low light is inside a typical living room lit by four 65w recessed flood lights. The Panny ZS3 and GF1 digital cameras look far better than any camcorders I've tried. The ZS3 remains saturated with acceptable noise level and minimal noise-reduction artifacts compared to the mentioned camcorders. The GF1 is that much better than the ZS3 still - in that same room with the same lighting it remains very sharp with vibrant colors, no noise and no artifacts in comparison. The only bad thing with the GF1 when it comes to video is that it's a bit hard to hold, zooming is manual twist of the ring which is never as smooth as a motor-driven zoom.

I did get mine last week and have played with it over the last few days. The video quality is not stunning, but the OIS and the sound are both great. I previously had an Aiptek 720p camera and this is much better than that, and combined with it's small size and low-weight, I can see using it much more in the future. I think that for $300, this can't be beat, and I'll be happy to buy something "more perfect" in two years time and mail this one off to my brother.

My next purchase is a Western Digital TV Live to show the videos on our TV at home without having to process or edit them.

fatyohoo said: I think I will never bother with a dedicated camcorder after this. It is going back first thing Monday.

i had a bad experience with another panasonic camcorder HD as well...that was last month. Some of these so called HD camcorders are fairly worse in low light conditions. So folks who got their camcorders, may want to quickly test to make sure you are satisfied with the image quality.

fatyohoo said: There's no restocking fee at Amazon.

they did charge me for return shipping though. It was around $6. That was for the panasonic camcorder I had purchased and returned last month.

Now it is $299 without any coupon