Panasonic HDC-SD80S HD SD Memory Card Camcorder Also available in black model HDC-SD80K and red model HDC-SD80R. Get Panasonic HDC-SD80S Price / Buy Online

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For extra shooting power, the Panasonic HDC-SD80 HD SD Memory Card Camcorder features ultra-telephoto 42x Intelligent Zoom which uses Panasonic's Crystal Engine PRO, a high-resolution processor that helps to record extremely clear, crisp videos even in low-lighting. The HDC-SD80 includes a 37x optical zoom, 33.7mm wide-angle lens (35mm equivalent) for versatile shooting at a variety of distances. The Panasonic HDC-SD80 is a Full High Definition (HD) camcorder with 1920 x 1080 resolution. The HDC-SD80 camcorder offers 1080/60i recording and records to an SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card. The 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD allows users to navigate by selecting icons on the display. The HDC-SD80 is equipped with Hybrid O.I.S, an image stabilization system that corrects hand-shake blurring by combining the action of its hybrid optical and electrical image stabilization systems.

The Panasonic HDC-SD80 features advanced touch-screen operation with new touch-operation functions that allows for extremely smooth shooting and playback, including: Touch Zoom -- swiftly zoom in or out with the touch or swipe of the finger; and Touch Shutter -- focus and take a digital photo by touching the subject on the screen (not available for video recording). Panasonic's iA (Intelligent Auto) selects the most suitable shooting mode at the press of a button, including Face Recognition, which finds the faces of registered people (up to six faces) and optimizes the focus and exposure for them. The camcorder continues to track this subject as the person moves anywhere within the frame. Eco-Mode automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power.

Panasonic HDC-SD80S Key Features

Supplied Accessories:

• VW-VBK180 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack Min. 1790 mAh
• AC Adaptor with DC Cable
• AC Cable
• Stylus Pen
• AV multi Cable
• USB Cable
• CD-ROM: HD Writer AE 3.0

1920 x 1080 Full-HD Recording

Images recorded by conventional HD camcorders have only 1,440 horizontal pixels, while full-HD camcorders have 1,920. In terms of total pixels, conventional HD camcorders record images with 1.55 million pixels, while those from Panasonic full-HD camcorders have around 2.07 million pixels -- about 30 percent more. The result is a level of detail and resolution that goes beyond anything you've experienced before. And because full-HD recordings contain a vast amount of picture information, they look beautiful not only on high-definition TVs, but on conventional (standard-definition) TVs as well.

HD images contain 6 times as much information as conventional standard-definition images. HDTV has 1,080 horizontal scan lines, standard-definition TV has 480. That translates into much higher resolution and much finer detail. Pictures are so clear and sharp, you can see the textures in an image. Also, HD uses a 16:9 aspect ratio, so the pictures you record have proportions that more closely match the human field of vision. This means that viewing is more natural and comfortable. With HD images on an HDTV, pictures are so clear and sharp that you can see textures. The shift in the industry from SDTV to HDTV is well under way. For shooting once-in-a lifetime scenes that you want to capture in full beauty, an HD camcorder is the best choice.

High-Resolution AVCHD Format

AVCHD is a standard developed jointly by Sony and Panasonic for HD digital camcorders. Using highly efficient codec technologies, it records 1080i high-definition signals onto media such as 8-cm DVD discs and SD/SDHC Memory Cards. AVCHD allows an HD camcorder to make long-time recordings of high-density video information onto a DVD disc or SD/SDHC Memory Card.

Built-in SD / SDHC / SDXC Memory Card Drive

SD memory cards are incredibly versatile, holding vast amounts of information and are about the size of a postage stamp. The SD / SDHC card adds the option to record on removable media to these camcorders and scalability as well. If users do need to keep shooting before downloading a full drive, they can switch to the SD Card and continue recording without interruption.

1/5.8-inch MOS Sensor With 1.50 Total Megapixels

Shoot in Lighting as Low as 1 Lux

Color Night Rec gives you images with color even in dim lighting (1 lux).

Panasonic 33.7mm Wide-Angle Lens With 34x Variable Speed Optical Zoom Lens, 37x Enhanced Optical Zoom and 42x Intelligent Zoom

The HDC-SD80 features a 34x optical, 37x enhanced optical zoom and an Intelligent Zoom function that goes all the way up to 42x. When using Intelligent Zoom, Intelligent Resolution Technology lets you shoot at high zoom rates while preserving image sharpness. You get crisp images of highly detailed objects -- without the blurry edges. Plus, Hybrid O.I.S. suppresses even slight hand-shake, which is a must for extreme zooming, because of its high susceptibility to hand-shake.

The 33.7mm wide-angle lens on the SD80 fits more people and more of the background into the frame than a conventional 44.1mm lens. This is especially handy when you want to take a group photo in a small room. It fits your subjects in even when you shoot from up close, and makes it possible to pick up even small sounds with the mic. It also gives you entirely new ways to enjoy your camcorder, like taking self portraits or capturing sweeping landscapes without losing the sense of scale.

Crystal Engine PRO

The improved Crystal Engine PRO instantly processes the huge amount of data that goes into Full-HD images, and further enhances Full-HD quality. It produces smooth, high-resolution zoom shots even when the range exceeds the limit for optical zooming. Crystal Engine PRO clearly delineates even the tiniest details of your subject, with extremely natural beauty. Enhanced noise reduction (NR) technology minimizes noise when recording in low lighting conditions, while Intelligent Resolution Technology ensures sharp, bright, beautifully colored motion images. In addition, its Noise Reduction (NR) technology has been completely redesigned. Compared to previous Panasonic models HDC-TM700 and HDC-HS700, noise has been reduced by approximately 45%. And Intelligent Resolution technology ensures sharp and crisp pictures, resulting in bright and beautifully colored motion images.

2.7-inch Widedcreen LCD With Touch Screen Operation and Auto Power LCD

The easy-to-view 2.7-inch widedcreen LCD has a detailed display and a viewing angle of 170 degrees, both vertically and horizontally. Images are clear and bright even when viewed from an angle, so everyone can gather around the LCD to enjoy on-the-spot recordings. The wide viewing angle is also great for taking high- or low-angle shots. Auto Power LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen according to the shooting environment. In dark places, the screen brightness is reduced to 1/3 the normal level. In bright outdoor places, the screen brightness is double the normal level.

The Panasonic HDC-SD80S High Definition (HD) camcorder features Panasonic's camcorder touch-screen that allows icons displayed on the LCD to be easily operated by touching them with a fingertip. Operation is intuitive and easy, and the large letters are easy to read. Shooting and viewing are simple and stress-free -- even for beginners. When shooting, you can use Touch Zoom to instantly zoom in and out by simply touching your fingertips, and Touch Shutter to automatically focus when shooting still images by simply touching the subject on the screen. For playback, you can also change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. You get smooth, intuitive operation and don't have to take your eyes off of the LCD screen.

Up To 3 Megapixel Still Pictures

In still-image mode the SD80S camcorder can record stills with up to 3.0 megapixels (2304 x 1296) for images recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio. When simultaneously shooting a motion image, it can record still images with up to 3.0 megapixels (2304 x 1296) for images recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This high pixel count and Hybrid O.I.S. mean that images look dense and beautiful. Also, when playing back the motion images you shot, you can capture 2.1-megapixel (1920 x 1080) still images of any scene you want. the Panasonic HDC-SD80S HD camcorder lets you enjoy high quality in both motion and still images.

White Balance Control

Select from Auto, Indoor, Outdoor and White Set according to the location, weather or type of lighting. You'll always get the best possible coloring even if the light source changes.

Shutter Speed Control

The shutter speed can be adjusted from 1/24 to 1/8,000 of a second. Use a high shutter speed when shooting sports events or fast-moving subjects, and you can get clear, sharp, incredible action shots. Shooting at a high shutter speed also makes it possible to later produce crisp, sharp still photos from the moving images you've captured.

Iris Control

Adjust the aperture to regulate the amount of light let in. In dim lighting use a lower aperture setting (which corresponds to a larger aperture opening), and in bright lighting use a higher setting.

Buil-in LED Video Light With Auto Light

When the camera determines that the ambient lighting is insufficient, it automatically switches the light on. This illuminates your subject for shooting. The LED (light emitting diode) has low power consumption, a long service life, and the safety of a low operating temperature.

2-Channel Stereo Sound, Zoom Microphone

The Zoom Mic function links with the camera's zoom action. It lets you clearly record the sound of your target subject.

Wind Noise Canceller

The technology of the previous Wind Cut function has evolved to form the Wind Noise Canceller. The Wind Noise Canceller function automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise, to give you natural sounds with lifelike ambience. Also, unlike the previous Wind Cut function, which switched to monaural recording, the Wind Noise Canceller enables stereo recording. This maintains natural sounds when shooting outdoors.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

Intelligent Auto Mode makes optimal settings automatically -- for both still and motion images. Sometimes a scene is backlit or too dark, or it's difficult to get a good focus on the subject. Adjusting the settings every time is not only a hassle, it can be very tricky. That's where iA comes in. This powerful function senses the shooting conditions and automatically makes the settings and activates functions that will deliver optimal results. With both motion and still images, iA lets you forget about bothersome settings and makes it easy to capture beautiful, well-focused images.

Hybrid O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)

The popular O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) function, which detects hand-shake while shooting and corrects the optical axis to minimize blurring, has evolved into the Hybrid O.I.S. It combines the action of its hybrid optical and electrical image stabilization systems. Hybrid O.I.S. adds to conventional optical compensation with electronic control in the vertical and horizontal directions for zooming, which often suffers from hand-shake. It effectively uses the part of the sensor that is not used in zooming to continuously record the image, enabling powerful handshake compensation without degrading the image quality. You get natural, beautiful images in almost all shooting situations.

AF / AE Tracking

Touch the LCD screen to indicate the subject, such as a person or an animal, that you want to focus on, and let AF/ AE Tracking do the rest. The camera locks on the subject and follows it around, keeping it in sharp focus and properly exposed. It keeps tracking even if the subject turns to the side. This advanced function makes it easy to get a continually clear, beautiful shot of the subject in the scene you care most about.

Face Recognition

The Face Recognition function recognizes the faces of registered subjects, and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure for those special people. It continues to track the subject as he or she moves anywhere within the LCD frame, making it ideal for video shooting. It is extremely useful for capturing someone's face in a group. Names can also be registered and displayed on the LCD while shooting. A total of six people can be registered, and the names of up to three people at a time can be displayed in the shooting frame.

Face Detection Function AF/ AE

The SD80S features face detection function for recording moving pictures with a camcorder. It's difficult to shoot scenes with deep shadows or large differences between light and dark areas. The subject often looks too dark, and faces can be hard to see. Panasonic solves this problem with Face Detection, a function that automatically adjusts the exposure according to the ambient brightness, so faces are bright and easy to see. When the camcorder detects a face in the scene, a square frame appears around it in the LCD monitor and the exposure is adjusted to correct the brightness level. The focus also prioritizes the faces, and skin tones are smoothed. Faces in the center of the frame serve as the reference for adjustments, but the function can detect up to 15 faces in all.

Intelligent Contrast Control

By detecting the intensity of the ambient light and adjusting the exposure accordingly, Intelligent Contrast Control prevents blown highlights and blocked shadows. This helps render natural-looking, highly nuanced images with proper contrast. Even when you're shooting directly toward the light source -- a very challenging situation in photography -- Intelligent Contrast Control lets you capture clear images with enhanced depth.

Intelligent Scene Selector

The Scene Selector function analyzes the shooting situation and automatically switches the camcorder to the Scene mode that will give you optimal results. In Portrait mode, using the face as reference, the exposure is adjusted to capture faces beautifully. Focusing priority is also placed on the face, and the skin tone is smoothed. Scenery mode is ideal for shooting wide landscapes and sweeping vistas, such as at the ocean or in the mountains. It balances the exposure over the entire frame to prevent brighter parts of the image, such as the sky, from being washed out or having blown highlights. Spotlight mode is for scenes with particularly strong contrast, such as when you're shooting a spotlit area on a darkened stage. It captures the well-lit subject perfectly and prevents washed-out areas. Low Light mode works in dim lighting. It automatically switches to a slower shutter speed so that images across the entire frame are bright and easy to see.

Still Image iA Modes

The iA function is active even when the camera is in still-image mode. When the Intelligent Scene Selector detects the shooting situation, it automatically switches to one of the five Scene Modes -- Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Night Portrait or Macro -- for still-image shooting, and optimizes the settings for the still image.

Smile Shot Function for Still Images

The new Smile Shot function automatically detects subject smiles, and captures the best possible smile while you're shooting movies. It lets you easily catch those fleeting, easy-to-miss stills of a smiling subject. It will also optimize the focus and exposure for your subject's smiling face. Face Recognition Linked Smile Shot detects subjects who are registered in advance and automatically snaps the shutter to catch the subject's best possible smile. It's great for capturing the smiles of certain people in a group. With AF/AE Tracking Linked Smile Shot, simply touch a subject within the LCD frame. This function will then lock on and start tracking your subject. When the subject smiles, it'll automatically snap the shutter. Face Detection Linked Smile Shot automatically snaps the shutter when people within the LCD frame smile. It gives you shots of an entire group of people smiling, making it great for group shots.

Soft Skin Mode

When this function detects skin tones, it softens the focus in that area. This has a skin beautifying effect, which makes wrinkles and lines appear less noticeable. When turned on, this function makes blemishes and moles look less conspicuous, while preserving resolution in areas of the picture outside of the skin.

Highlight Playback

Select the days of the recordings you want to see, and this innovative function automatically selects the most exciting scenes, arranges them, and plays them, with music. It decides how exciting a scene is, based on zooming, panning, and scene changes, and whether there are faces. The SD80 camcorder has advanced with the addition of playback effects that include slow motion, still image fading, and flash playback. Four new image effect modes* -- natural, pop, dynamic and classical -- have also been added. Set different effects based on the mood of your images, and enjoy memorable scenes just the way you remember them when shooting.

* Only during playback within the main unit.

Face Highlight Playback

The Face Highlight Index selects scenes that have faces in them and displays them in an index format. This handy function lets you quickly find and view scenes that have people in them. The Face Highlight Playback mode places priority on selecting the faces of subjects who are registered in the Face Recognition function, for quick playback of the scenes where they are clearly recorded, together with music.

High-Speed Burst Shooting at 60 Frames per Second

The Panasonic HDC-SD80S camcorder can take up to 50 consecutive 0.9 megapixel resolution still images in one second or up to 180 consecutive shots in 3.6 seconds. You can use it to analyze a golf swing, tennis stroke or other motion. You also can use it to get good shots of subjects in fast motion. Just fire off a number of shots without stopping, then keep the best ones and delete the rest.

1-Second Quick Power-On

Switch the power on and the camcorder is in standby mode in just 1 second*, ready to shoot when you are. This fast startup also helps reduce battery consumption.

* In card recording mode only. Depending on the recording conditions, start time may be longer than 1.0 second in still image recording mode.

0.6-Second Quick Start

In Quick Start mode, which can be selected from the menu, the HDC-SD80S begins recording in just 0.6 seconds from the time the LCD is opened. This lets you shoot those sudden shooting opportunities.

Pre-Rec Function

This clever function records three seconds of images even before you actually begin shooting. The images are held temporarily in the camcorder's internal memory, before recording onto the SDHC/SD Memory Card begins. This helps ensure that you won't miss the start of a moment you want to record, such as when an event begins all of a sudden. For example, if you're waiting to snap a shot of a jumping dolphin, you can press the REC button after you've made sure that the dolphin has cleared the surface of the water. The camcorder will record the entire scene, from the instant of the dolphin's jump until it disappears again into the sea.

AGS (Auto Ground-Directional Standby)

The O.I.S. linear motor system can detect when the camera is in an unusual shooting position - such as when you've inadvertently left it on in recording mode. In these cases, the camera automatically stops recording, saving both battery power and disc space.

AGS is set to OFF when shipped from the factory. To turn AGS ON, the setting must be made on the menu screen.

HA, HG, HX and HE Recording Modes

Moving Picture Recording Times (approx.):

HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface

Just connect your camcorder to an HDTV and you're ready for high-definition viewing. IIf your TV is HDMI* compatible, a single optional mini-HDMI cable is all you need. When using a Panasonic Viera TV, you can also operate the camcorder with the Viera remote control for even easier viewing.

* HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.

World Timer

Handy for travelers this feature makes it easy to set the time when crossing time zones and again when returning home by switching between the two times with a press of a button. Simply select the destination from the display map, and the camcorder is automatically set for that time zone.

USB Host Function

The SD80S's USB Host function lets you connect directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. You can then copy recordings from the SD Memory Card to a DVD disc, maintaining their original Full-HD format, by simply pressing a button.

Included DVD Burning and Editing Software

The software included with the SD80S lets you burn full-HD recordings from an SD Memory Card onto a DVD disc, using your PC. The software also makes it easy to edit your recordings using a PC. The software guides you through the simple steps. You'll find editing easy to do, even if it's your first time. You can make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG2) format. Choose the one that matches your playback equipment.

Thumbnail View

The camcorder LCD screen displays a list of the recorded scenes for quick and easy searching. You can do some polished editing using just the camera itself.

Color Night View

Leave the light off. Color Night View gives you images with color even in dim lighting (1 lux). Light from the LCD is gentle and easy on the eyes, so you can snap shots of sleeping children without waking them up.

Auto Lens Cover

When the power is turned on, the lens cover automatically opens. When the power goes off, the lens cover closes. You don't have to keep removing and replacing a lens cap -- or worry about losing it.

USB 2.0 High Speed Connection

This convenient feature allows you to link the camcorder to your computer via the USB port. Then, you can easily transfer still images captured on Mini DV tape to your computer for use in e-mail or printed documents. The HDC-SD80S supports USB 2.0 High Speed enabling real time video transfers.

Panasonic HDC-SD80S Specifications

Image Sensor

1/5.8" MOS
Total Pixels: 1.50 megapixels
Motion Image Effective Pixels: 1.12 megapixels - 1.30 megapixels [16:9]
Still Image Effective Pixels:
1.10 megapixels [3:2]
1.12 megapixels - 1.30 megapixels [16:9]
0.97 megapixels [4:3]

Lens

Panasonic Lens

Lens Focal Length

2.38 - 81.0mm

35mm Film Camera Equivalent

Motion Picture: 33.7 - 1240 mm (16:9)
Still Picture: 38.1 - 1298 mm (3:2), 33.7 - 1240 mm (16:9), 41.3 - 1405 mm (4:3)

Lens F Value

F1.8 (Wide) / F4.0 (Tele)

Lens Filter Diameter

--

Variable Speed Optical Zoom

34x

Enhanced Optical Zoom

37x

Intelligent Zoom

42x

Digital Zoom

Digital Zoom: 90x - 2000x

Image Stabilizer

HYBRID O.I.S. [Optical Image Stabilization]

Standard Illumination

1400 Lux

Minimum Illumination

7 Lux (1/30 low light mode), 1 Lux (Color Night Rec)

Focus

Auto / Manual

White Balance

Auto / Sunny / Cloudy / Indoor1 / Indoor2 / White Set

Shutter Speeds

Motion Picture:
[60i] Auto Slow Shutter ON: 1/30 - 1/8000; Auto Slow Shutter OFF: 1/60 - 1/8000

Iris

Auto / Manual

Backlight Compensation

Yes

Viewfinder

--

LCD

2.7" Wide (approx. 230,400 pixels)

Still Picture Recording Format

JPEG

Still Picture Recording Image Size

4:3 Still Picture: 2.6 megapixels (1856 x 1392), 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480)
3:2 Still Picture: 2.8 megapixels (2064 x 1376)
16:9 Still Picture: 3.0 megapixels (2304 x 1296), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080)
Simultaneous Recording, 16:9: 3.0 megapixels (2304 x 1296), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080)
Creating Still Image from Motion Image, 16:9: 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080)

Flash

Photo Light

DPOF

Max. 999 stills

Microphone

2-ch Stereo, Zoom Microphone

Speaker

Dynamic type

Signal System

1080 / 60i, 480 / 60i

Moving Picture Recording Format

AVCHD

Video Compression

HA / HG / HX / HE: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant)
iFrame: MPEG-4 AVC/ H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC file format compliant (.MP4)

Recording/Playback Modes

HA: 17 Mbps / VBR (1920 x 1080)
HG: 13 Mbps / VBR (1920 x 1080)
HX: 9 Mbps / VBR (1920 x 1080)
HE: 5 Mbps / VBR (1920 x 1080)
iFrame (28Mbps / VBR), (960 x 540)

Audio Recording Format

HA / HG / HX / HE : Dolby Digital 2-ch
iFrame: AAC (2 ch)

Recording Media

SDHC/SDXC/SD Memory Card

Recording Times (with 16 GB Memory Card)

1080 / 60p: 1 hr. 20 mn.
HA: 2 hr. 00 mn.
HG: 2 hr. 40 mn.
HX: 4 hr. 10 mn.
HE: 6 hr. 40 mn.
iFrame (28 Mbps): 1 hr. 20 mm.

Accessory Shoe

No

Jacks

• HDMI Output (mini)
• Audio/Video multi Output
• USB Port 2.0 High Speed (mini B)

Power Supply

DC 3.6V / 5.0V

Power Consumption

Max. 4.4W (Recording) / Max. 7.7W (Charging)

Dimensions (W x H x D)

2.02" x 2.32" x 4.29" (51.5 x 59 x 109 mm)

Weight (Without Battery)

Approx. 6.8 oz. (192 g)

Panasonic HD Camcorders Feature Comparison Chart