Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black)
- Reg. Price: $299.00
- Discount: -$130.00
- Discount price: $169.00
- Limited supply at this price
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- In Stock
Remember the Essentials
Recording media is not included, be prepared - always carry extra media.
High def, flash memory recording, a lightweight design, and user-friendly shooting controls make this entry-level HD camcorder a great value. The HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder is an economical way to break into HD recording; just charge the battery and pop in an SD/SDHC or SDXC memory card and you're ready to start shooting up to 135 minutes of video per charge!
High definition video is remarkable for its vivid, life-like, detailed images. It's also a future-friendly format that will be compatible with computer systems for years to come, which makes it a good investment. And, the 1920 x 1080 video recorded with the SD40 will look great on your HDTV, where every minute detail shows.
In addition to being a great little camcorder, the SD40 also doubles as a still camera. Your bag can stay lighter and your memory making easier with just one tool for both jobs! The camcorder captures both video and stills using its 1.5MP CMOS sensor. Features like a 2.7" LCD, the wide-angle Panasonic lens, and other essentials such as optical image stabilization and 16.8x optical zoom all work together to create memories that will last a lifetime.
The SD40 also provides a number of user-friendly shooting controls. Panasonic's Intelligent Auto takes the guesswork out of correctly shooting almost any setting. iA automatically sets the camera for the situation; that way you can focus on the moment and not futzing with camera. Other features like Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Auto Ground-Directional Standby help you to record, without having to enroll in film school.
When you're done shooting and ready to edit, share, and archive, the SD40 comes bundled with Panasonic's HD Writer LE 1.0 software. This software helps you to import data, share via YouTube and Facebook, add and change footage, and save what you've shot for the future. You can also use the optional VIERA Link or VIERA Image Viewer to share your memories on your HDTV.
- Remarkably Light at 169 Grams
- You can take the compact, lightweight HD 40 Series with you anyplace you go. And even with its compact body, this camcorder lets you shoot continuously for an extended time, and comes with a wide range of features, including a 16.8x optical zoom and popular iA function, for truly versatile shooting. This all makes the lightweight 40 Series ideal for use while traveling
- Long Recording of Approximately 135 Minutes Per Charge
- The HD 40 Series offers low power consumption of 2.5W, and lets you shoot continuously for approximately 135 minutes with a single battery charge. You won't have to worry so much about the remaining battery power while you're on the move, so you can keep recording in comfort. The camcorder is also ideal for long trips
- 16.8x Optical Zoom and Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
- The HD 40 Series features a 16.8x optical zoom. You can zoom close to catch dynamic shots of distant objects. And because the zoom is optical, there's limited image degradation. Also, POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) helps prevent blurring - typically a big concern when shooting with a zoom. This combination of optical zoom and POWER O.I.S. gives you the ability to take fantastic zoom shots
- Still Picture Recording at 2.1MP
- The HD 40 Series can record stills with 2.1 megapixels. Also, when playing back the moving pictures you shot, you can capture 2.1MP still images of any scene you want. The HD 40 Series lets you enjoy high quality in both motion and still images
- Scene Mode
-
Automatically selects the most suitable shutter speed and aperture for the shooting location and situation
- Scene modes: Sports, Portrait, Low Light (motion image only), Spot Light, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Scenery, Night Scenery, Night Portrait (still image only)
- 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
- Tele-Macro
- You can shoot macro close-ups while maintaining a distance of 50 cm from your subject. In addition, using the zoom at full magnification makes it much easier to capture extreme close-ups without your body or camera casting a shadow on the subject and while keeping the background in soft focus
- iA (Intelligent Auto)
- This powerful function senses the shooting conditions and automatically makes the settings and activates functions that will deliver optimal results. iA does the bothersome settings for you and makes it easy to capture beautiful, well-focused images
- Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) with Active Mode
-
The POWER O.I.S. suppresses even slight hand-shake. When shooting, hand-shake often comes on gradually due to factors like breathing rhythms or the surrounding wind. While this kind of low-frequency hand-shake went undetected with conventional O.I.S., POWER O.I.S. has a variety of functions that detect even the slightest shake
- Active mode:
Active mode comes in handy when shooting while walking or playing with your children. The wide correction area corrects even relatively large hand-shake motion. It's especially good for active video shooting
- Active mode:
- Intelligent Scene Selector
-
The Intelligent Scene Selector function analyzes the shooting situation and automatically switches the camcorder to the suitable scene mode that will give you optimal results
- Portrait:
This mode captures faces beautifully. With Soft Skin mode, complexions are automatically enhanced to make faces attractive
- Scenery:
This 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:
The camcorder automatically uses this mode for scenes with particularly strong contrast, such as when you're shooting a spot lit area on a darkened stage. It captures the well-lit subject perfectly and prevents washed-out areas
- Low Light:
In dim lighting, the camcorder automatically switches to a slower shutter speed so that images across the entire frame are bright and easy to see
- Portrait:
- Face Detection
- Face Detection automatically senses the ambient lighting and adjusts the exposure accordingly, so faces are bright and easy to see. 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 at once
- Intelligent Contrast Control
- Intelligent Contrast Control detects the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure accordingly, helping to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. You can capture natural looking, highly nuanced images with proper contrast
- 0.6 Sec Quick Start
- Using Quick Start mode, you simply flip open the LCD and you're ready to shoot in just 0.6 seconds. When Eco mode is also used, the power turns off whenever the camcorder has not been operated for 5 minutes. This reduces wasted power consumption, and enables a longer battery life
- Pre-Rec Function
- This smart 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 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
- Wide Viewing Angle
- The LCD has a highly detailed, 230,400 dots display and a viewing angle of 170°, 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
- 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 media storage space
- Composition Guide Lines
- With wide LCD monitors, it's hard to keep images perfectly level. The HD 40 Series solves this by displaying horizontal and vertical Composition Guide Lines that make it easy to keep the subject straight and level
- LED Video 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
- Color Night Rec/Color Night View
- Leave the light off. Color Night Rec/Color Night View gives you images with color even in dim lighting (1 lux)
- World Time
- Setting the time is as easy as selecting a city from the displayed map. The World Time function lets you set the time for two cities, home and destination. You don't have to figure out the time difference at your destination, and it's easy when you get home
- Easy Connecting, Easy Viewing
-
- VIERA Link:
Connect your HD camcorder to a VIERA or compatible Blu-ray Disc Player via an HDMI mini cable, and you can control both units in synchronized operation with a single remote control. This kind of simple, easy operation makes it enjoyable to view your recordings
- VIERA Image Viewer:
Just slip the SD card from your camcorder into the VIERA Image Viewer card slot on your VIERA TV, and you're ready to view full-HD moving images recorded
- VIERA Link:
- Editing, Archiving, and YouTube Uploading
-
HD Writer LE 1.0 software, included with the camcorder, makes it easy to play or edit videos on your PC and have more fun when the shooting's done
- Importing Data:
When the camcorder is connected to a PC, the software automatically starts up. Importing data takes only a few clicks of the mouse
- Easy YouTube and Facebook Uploading:
The videos you've recorded are easily uploaded to YouTube or Facebook in their original high quality. HD Writer LE 1.0 lets you share your videos worldwide
- Editing:
It's easy to add titles, rearrange scenes, provide transition effects, and edit images in single frame units
- Archiving:
Make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format
- Importing Data:
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1.5 Megapixel 1/5.8" CMOS |
| Lens |
2.9 - 48.7 mm f/1.8 - 2.6 |
| Zoom |
Optical: 16.8x Digital: 1200x |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| System | NTSC |
| Recording Media | SD/SDHC, SDXC |
| Recording Time |
SD 4GB: HA: 30 minutes; HG: 40 minutes; HX: 1 hour 16GB: HA: 2 hours; HG: 2 hours, 40 minutes; HX: 4 hours, 10 minutes 32GB: HA: 4 hours, 10 minutes; HG: 5 hours, 30 minutes; HX: 8 hours, 20 minutes 64GB: HA: 8 hours, 30 minutes; HG: 11 hours; HX: 16 hours, 50 minutes |
| Video Format |
High Definition MPEG AVC/H.264 1920 x 1080i (60 fps) |
| Still Image Resolution |
JPEG: 2.1 Megapixel, 1920 x 1080 JPEG: 0.5 Megapixel, 960 x 540 |
| Audio Format | 2-Channel Stereo |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
| Screen Size | 2.7" |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Lux |
1400 7 (1/30 Low Light scene mode) 1 (Color Night Rec) |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Light - Yes Flash - No |
| Accessory Shoe | None |
| Tripod Mount | 1/4" |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Outputs |
1x HDMI C (Mini) 1x USB 2.0 1x A/V |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Headphone Jack | No |
| General | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements |
Windows
Mac
|
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.03 x 2.26 x 4.27" / 51.56 x 57.40 x 108.46 mm |
| Weight | 5.96 oz / 169 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
86%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (8)
- Image stabilization (7)
- Great picture quality (6)
- Large clear LCD (5)
- Zoom range/performance (5)
Cons
- Limited zoom (3)
Best Uses
- Home movies (7)
- HD shooting (5)
- Travel (4)
- Weddings (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual user (7), Enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)
Most Liked Positive Review
camcorder is fabulous
We use this product to record Grandchildren and their antics. The greatest thing about it is that the videos are clear and focus on faces. It is light weight and easy to use. No...Read complete review
We use this product to record Grandchildren and their antics. The greatest thing about it is that the videos are clear and focus on faces. It is light weight and easy to use. No more lugging around a heavy recorder. It fits in my purse.
While I record stills my husband (who is photographically challenged) records with this cam recorder in HD. Beautiful!
We haven't use sound to any great extent yet, so I do not know how that is.
The zoom is not as much as other cam recorders but it means we just get in closer.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good Value
Great HD Camcorder for the price It has good features likeOIS and a built in led light. Small and very light. Too bad still pictures resolution is only 2.1 MP. Phones have better resoltion...Read complete review
Great HD Camcorder for the price It has good features likeOIS and a built in led light. Small and very light. Too bad still pictures resolution is only 2.1 MP. Phones have better resoltion. Minus one star for that. I am concerned about the battery though. I charged it 2 times after the initial charge, and it drops within seconds from 3h to 2h. Minus one star for that too[...]
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
it is very easy to use, small and not heavy ; it's deffinition is very satisfying.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
My students are using this camera in a H.S. video production class and the results have been stunning. Easy to use and very high quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
Cons
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
If you shoot in controlled well lit conditions, you'll be fine. I find the HD footage on this camera to be about on par with my little old $350 minDV Panasonic Standard Def camcorder. The DVD's I've made with the old Panasonic look as good on my LED TV as the footage right off this camera's card. Almost every time a different light or color enters the frame, it totally changes the colors on everything in the shot. I'm glad I bought this one on sale. It's not terrible and the price is right, but I will be giving this one to the kids as soon as I can.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
This was a compact HD Camcorder that came under my budget and met all my requirements. Works well holds battery well and quite good.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
Easy to use. It's light, it's not heavy. The size is amazing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
We use this product to record Grandchildren and their antics. The greatest thing about it is that the videos are clear and focus on faces. It is light weight and easy to use. No more lugging around a heavy recorder. It fits in my purse.
While I record stills my husband (who is photographically challenged) records with this cam recorder in HD. Beautiful!
We haven't use sound to any great extent yet, so I do not know how that is.
The zoom is not as much as other cam recorders but it means we just get in closer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
I just got it but so far I am very satisfied it's a real good model with excellent feature's.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Have not found one yet
Best Uses
- Family memories
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
I took this to a recent event to film my child in his first major activity and was a little worried that I may not be able to use the camcorder well enough to preserve the memories properly. I could not have been more wrong. This item is easy to use and the footage I took was almost as good as a professional. This little, lightweight camcorder is a terrific investment and will play a major role in preserving my family memories.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- No Onboard Editing
- No Touchscreen
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
This is a terrific overall value camcorder that meets my needs as a new dad who wants high quality video of his child's first steps, first words, etc. It is very small and extremely lightweight (as such, it is easy to hold for long periods). My hands are large, yet I do not find it difficult to use the controls. It is simple to use with a good optical zoom. Battery life is excellent. This camcorder would be even better with some onboard editing features and a touchscreen. Other than that, it represents excellent value to me. You can read my full review at [@]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Battery charge
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic HDC-SD40 High Definition Camcorder (Black):
Great HD Camcorder for the price It has good features likeOIS and a built in led light. Small and very light. Too bad still pictures resolution is only 2.1 MP. Phones have better resoltion. Minus one star for that. I am concerned about the battery though. I charged it 2 times after the initial charge, and it drops within seconds from 3h to 2h. Minus one star for that too[...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
Media
Required item: Recording media is not included, be prepared - always carry extra media.
- Price: $9.99
Batteries & Power
Don't get caught without power, always have a spare battery.
- Price: $44.69
-
- Original: $29.99
- Save: $3.00
- Price: $26.99
What's in the Box
- AC Adapter
- AC Cable
- DC Cable
- Rechargeable Battery Pack
- A/V Multi Cable
- USB Cable
- CD-ROM
- 90-Days Labor & 1-Year Parts Limited Warranty
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