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Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black)

  • No Longer Available
  • B&H # PASDRS26K
  • Mfr# SDR-S26K

Product Highlights

  • SD/SDHC Card Slot
  • 1/8" CCD
  • Optical 70x Ultra Zoom
  • 2.7" Wide LCD
  • Advanced O.I.S.
  • iA Mode
  • Easy YouTube Uploading

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The Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder is an affordable, user-friendly way to post all your memories to social media sites, such as YouTube. Share video from that party you went to on Friday in just three short steps thanks to VideoCam Suite software. And, because the SDR-S26 records to SD/SDHC memory cards, there's no need to carry around bulky media.

The S26 boasts the Optical 70x Ultra Zoom lens, which is designed for shooting with clarity, even at long distances, such as concerts. Other recording features include the 1/8" CCD sensor, 2.7" LCD, and Advanced O.I.S. In addition, the Intelligent Auto (iA) mode makes shooting even easier because it automatically adjusts for the scene, activating the appropriate mode for the situation.

Record to External Flash Memory
Record to compact and lightweight SD/SDHC memory cards for hassle-free transfer of video and stills to your PC for emailing and easy uploading to social media sites.
1/8" CCD Image Sensor
The 1/8" CCD image sensor captures standard definition, video (MPEG2) and still (JPEG) images.
Optical 70x Ultra Zoom Lens
The Optical 70x Ultra Zoom lens brings even far off subjects up close with little to no loss in image quality.
2.7" Wide LCD Display
The 2.7" wide LCD gives you a generous platform on which to compose and playback video and stills.
Digital Still Capture
The SDR-S26 doubles as a digital still camera. Still images in the JPEG format easily upload to the Internet for sharing.
Advanced Optical Image Stabilization
Advanced O.I.S. uses a corrective lens that shifts to compensate for blur from a hand shake or a moving subject.
Intelligent Auto Mode
iA Mode automatically adjusts the camcorder to your shooting situation and initiates the appropriate functions, such as Face Detection or Intelligent Scene Selector.
VideoCam Suite
VideoCam Suite software makes uploading to YouTube as easy as 1-2-3. Simply record in Web mode and connect the camcorder to your computer when you're finished. VideoCam Suite automatically starts up and is ready to upload your video - just choose the file you want and click "Upload".
Optics
Sensor 0.8 Megapixel 1/8" CCD
Lens 1.5 - 105 mm
f/1.9 - 5.7
Zoom Optical: 70x
Digital: 100x
Digital: 3500x 1
Please Note:

3500x=Super Digital

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Filter Size 37 mm
Recording
System NTSC
Recording Media SD/SDHC   2
Please Note:

memory card not included

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Recording Time SD/SDHC
1GB: XP: 12 minutes
1GB: LP: 50 minutes
32GB: XP: 6 hours, 40 minutes
32GB: LP: 26 hours, 40 minutes
Video Format Standard Definition
MPEG2
704 x 480
Still Image Resolution JPEG: 0.3 Megapixel
Audio Format 2-ChannelStereo
Display
Display Type LCD
Screen Size 2.7"
Touchscreen No
Features
Image Stabilization Optical
Lux 1400 (standard illumination)
6 (1/30 low light mode)
2 (Magic Pix)
Built-in Mic Yes
Built-in Speaker Yes
Built-in Light/Flash Light - No
Flash - No
Accessory Shoe None
Tripod Mount 1/4"
Input/Output Connectors
Inputs None
Outputs 1x A/V
1x USB 2.0
Microphone Input No
Headphone Jack No
General
System Requirements Windows System
  • 2000, XP, Vista

Macintosh System
  • OS X 10.5.6 or later
3
Please Note:

iMovie '09 is required and not included. Mac is not compatible with VideoCam Suite 2.0

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Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
Power Adapter Not Specified By Manufacturer
Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.21 x 2.56 x 4.21" / 56.13 x 65.02 x 106.93 mm
Weight 0.50 lb / 226.80 g

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black)
 
4.3

(based on 8 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (5)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (6)
  • Lightweight (5)
  • Interfaces well with camcorder (4)
  • Zoom range/performance (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Home movies (4)
    • Shooting outdoors (3)
    • Travel (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Tech savvy (5)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 8 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-8

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    5.0

    Nice Camera

    By RW

    from Spokane, WA

    About Me Video Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Comfortable to Operate
    • Easy to Use
    • Good Image Stabilization
    • Good in Low Light
    • Great Picture Quality
    • Great Zoom
    • Large Clear LCD
    • Zoom range/performance

    Cons

    • No External Mic Input
    • Poor Still Image
    • Short Battery Life

    Best Uses

    • Documentaries
    • Home Movies
    • Indoors/Low Light
    • Movies/Short Films
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • Weddings/Events
    • YouTube

    Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

    I use the video camera for recording sports for youtube and recording tests for work. The optical 70X zoom is great, the optical image stabilization is great, I like being able to set it for 16:9 recording and I like the SD storage. It would have been nice if it had come with a SD card and the battery goes quickly. I got a couple of spares that are longer life to supplement the OEM battery.

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Rock Solid Optical Image Stabilizer

    By Great Falls Kam

    from Great Falls, VA

    About Me Casual User

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy to Use
    • Good Image Stabilization
    • Great Sound
    • Great Zoom
    • Zoom range/performance

    Cons

    • No External Mic Input
    • Poor Still Image

    Best Uses

    • Home Movies
    • Outdoors
    • Zoom shots

    Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

    The Panasonic SDR-S26 is THE best value in standard definition flash camcorder. Totally meets my criteria. I've owned the camera for about a week. But, I am very pleased so far.

    My previous flash camcorder was a first generation HD (720p) camcorder with MPEG format. However, the zoom was only 3X and no optical image stabilization (OIS). Playback images were very poor. Lots of shaking and jitter.

    After researching various flash standard camcorders I decided on the Panasonic SDR-S26. The OIS feature works extremely well. Hand held shots at 60-70x look very descent. Not a lot of shaking or distortion. I compared the shots with a tripod. The gyroscopic OIS is unbelievable. The optical zoom is truly crisp at 70X in the Intelligent Automatic mode. Unbelievable. I tried the digital zoom. I am very impressed at 100x. Really need a tripod at anything above 70X. I have not tried 3500X. The lens and the focusing CMOS are very impressive. These were the two features I was looking for.

    The software does the job adequately. Nothing fancy. You can download the files to your PC, create DVD, and do some basic editing. Little less complicated that Nero 8.

    Playback quality on my 720p HDTV was excellent. I was a little concerned stepping down from a HD camcorder. But, I was VERY impressed with the clarity, color, and stability of playback.

    Another superb feature is the Audio Zoom. It really works. I shot some close up shots of bird feeder in the backyard. I could hear the birds cracking the sunflower seeds and pecking at the feeder.

    This camcorder is full of nice features. You can shoot in a totally automatic mode or manual. I still have to refer to the manual for setting some of the manual features.

    The photo quality is not so great. No surprise. Most camcorders give you average photo capability. My primary application is shooting videos.

    If you're looking for a compact SD flash camcorder with crisp high zoom, I highly recommend the Panasonic SDR-S26.

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Compact ,neat and efficent.

    By ouananchie

    from Hearts Content Newfoundland, Canada

    About Me Aspiring Film Maker, Tech Savvy

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy To Use
    • Good Interface With Camcorder
    • Improves Performance
    • Lightweight
    • Quality Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Home Movies
      • Shooting Outdoors
      • Travel

      Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

      Got this cam to film a wilderness trip through Labrador this coming summer. Tried it out in the back yard this pass week. Very pleased with the performance. Simple to use.

      Comment on this review

       
      2.0

      Very Disappointed

      By Apollo

      from SD

      About Me Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use
      • Good Interface With Camcorder
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Dark images
      • Grainy images
      • Poor color

      Best Uses

      • Shooting Outdoors

      Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

      I purchased this video recorder for my wife for Christmas. At first I was very impressed by the feel and build of this unit. It is easy to use and has great zoom capability. Unfortunately the video images are very dark and grainy. My point and shoot Canon Powershot camera has better video than this unit. Also my 15 year old JVC VHSc camcorder shoots better video than this unit. It seems as though people really like this unit or are really disappointed like I am. Wish I would have saved my money and invested in an HD video camera. A total waste of money! This was my first Panasonic purchase and might be my last.

      Comment on this review

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Good for the money, huge optical zoom

      By paul

      from Brooklyn, NY

      About Me Computer scientist, Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • 70x optical zoom
      • Convenient FlashSD card
      • Easy To Use
      • Good Value
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Software isn't great
      • So-so in low light
      • Uses MOD file format

      Best Uses

      • Home Movies
      • Long distance with tripod
      • Shooting Outdoors
      • Travel

      Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

      So far, I have used this camera mainly for recording indoors, mounted on a tripod. It's standard def and I'd prefer HD, but so far, I'm mainly reducing the size of the videos and compressing them to MPEG4 for viewing on computers, so I don't really need HD.

      Pros: It's very small for a camera with a real lens and screen (i.e. not a Flip style camera) and with the SD memory, it's very light. The optical zoom is huge, 70x, far more than any other similar, inexpensive, SD camcorders out right now. Having the SD card is also nice because you don't need to capture the raw video when you import it to the computer, you can simply copy the files over to your hard drive. I have a USB SD card reader, so I don't even need to worry about having the camera's USB cord, which is very convenient. The image stabilization works very well in general.

      Cons: It doesn't work great in low light. It's fine outdoors, but indoors I have found that I've had to add brightness filters when doing post-processing. I haven't experimented much with the settings though, so you may be able to compensate somewhat by adjusting things manually. Of course, when using the zoom you'll want to use a tripod. 70x zooms means slight movement in your hand is also amplified 70 times. Not really a con, but something to keep in mind. I don't like the software, it's clunky and the UI is not great. I don't like importing the files through the software, because I don't like to edit them with it. If you're near the audio source the mic is good. About 6-10' away sound is not so good - you may need to amplify in post-processing. The videos it makes are .MOD files, which is not a great file container, but if you rename the files to .MPEG it should work fine. They're encoded with MPEG2 video and AC3 audio. Since I'm mainly viewing them on my computer, I use VirtualDubMod and convert them over to Xvid with MP3 audio. This results in about 10x smaller files.

      Overall: You get a lot for the money. It's only slightly more expensive than something like a Flip HD, and while not HD, you're getting real camcorder hardware and optics, with the lightness and convenience of Flash memory.

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      Just what I wanted:)

      By |30+|Jeepster

      from Royal Oak, MI

      About Me Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use
      • Good Interface With Camcorder
      • Lightweight
      • Quality Construction

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

          Very easy to operate, the controls are easy to reach and function. B&H is a very good company to deal with. I highly recommend both and have nothing negative to say.

          Comment on this review

          (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

           
          3.0

          not a good camera

          By Doug, the railroad guy

          from Denver, CO

          About Me Tech Savvy

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Good Interface With Camcorder
          • Lightweight

          Cons

          • Fuzzy images
          • Poor resolution

          Best Uses

            Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

            After our Hi8 analog tape camcorder died, it was time to buy a digital. Unfortunately, this standard definition (SD) camcorder was not equal to Hi8 resolution. The picture quality of this camera was less than my cheap cellphone. Although the menus are good, the lack of sharpness (even with the best resolution) is a big drawback. Had to send the camera back to B&H for a refund. Recommend an HD camcorder for any serious video.

            Comment on this review

            (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Great Zoom

            By Rivah Boy

            from Richmond, VA

            Verified Buyer

            Comments about Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black):

            The zoom is fantastic.
            Small, compact, and easy to use.
            I saw it in Las Vegas at the CES convention.
            It was one the most talked about camcorders.

            Comment on this review

            Displaying reviews 1-8

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            Batteries & Power

            Don't get caught without power, always have a spare battery.

            Panasonic -  VW-VBJ10 Lithium-ion Battery (1000mAh)
            • Price: $38.90
            • GBP 24.78
             

            Bags & Cases

            Carry, store, and protect all your equipment with a bag or case.

            Lowepro -  Edit 100 Camera Shoulder Bag
            • Price: $13.72
            • GBP 8.74
             

            Filters

            Protect your lens or produce a desired visual effect by adding a filter.

            Tiffen -  37mm UV Protector Filter
            • Price: $8.90
            • GBP 5.67
             

            Lenses & Adaptors

            Capture the right view with a conversion lens.

            Impact -  DVP-SWA38-37 Wide-Converter Lens
              • Original: $69.95
              • Save: $6.99
            • Price: $62.96
            • GBP 40.10
             

            On-Camera Lights

            Adjust the lighting for virtually any indoor and many outdoor applications.

            General Brand -  Straight Flash Bracket
            • Price: $8.95
            • GBP 5.70
             

            Books & Tutorials

            Develop your skills and product understanding.

            Vasst -  DVD: Light Em Up
            • Price: $39.95
            • GBP 25.45
             

            What's in the Box

            Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Card Standard Definition Camcorder (Black)
            • AC Adapter
            • Battery Pack
            • A/V Cable
            • USB Cable
            • VideoCam Suite 2.0 Software
            • AC/DC Cables
            • 90-Days Labor & 1-Year Parts Limited Warranty
             
             
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