Panasonic SDR-S10 Flash Memory Weatherproof Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (2GB Memory Card Included) | List Price: $399.99
Discount Price: $379.99
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Brand: Panasonic
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2007-04-30
Features: - Capture video to flash memory; up to 100 minutes of footage on a 2 GB SD card
- 10x optical zoom; 2.7-inch LCD monitor
- Rugged, lightweight design; water-resistant construction, impact-resistant up to 4 feet
- 1.7-second Quick Start function
- 2 GB SD card included
NOT Recommended [Posted on 2008-01-02]
We purchased this product for review after finding the DXG 5.0MP Ultra-Slim totally unacceptable. The challenge was to find a flash video camera small enough and rugged enough to carry for action videos in skateboarding or snow boarding.
Merchandising and advertising promises we found misleading and false. The camera saves the video files in a non-standard file format, even though advertised as MPEG, and they would not transfer to the computer. Oddly enough, there was an ad included in the box for a program which would transfer to the computer if we paid another $99. The box and sales information promised Mac compatibility, but later we found it applied ONLY to the still photos -- 2MP at best, also unacceptable.
Calling the Panasonic tech support took some effort and after some time they admitted it does not produce standard MPEG files and recommended we return it. (Which also turned out to be a nightmare!)
We cannot recommend this camera.
DTG Magazine
Good Lightweight Video Camera for Backpacking [Posted on 2008-01-19]
Obviously this won't have the picture quality of larger cameras, but the fact that it weighs less than half a pound means that I can easily take it backpacking into wilderness areas.
My photos will be used for display on the internet, and it will be fine for that.
I also wish they would have included a lens cover for it.
Other than that, I am very happy with this camera.
Good Enough [Posted on 2008-02-23]
Found this product to be very handy. Although the video resolution is below my expection, it's good enough for viewing in my computer.
Incredible evolutionary camera [Posted on 2008-03-01]
I got this camera in late january 2008. I give two thumbs up for the toughest electronic 10mbit a second widescreen recording masterpiece I have ever encountered...and it is to an SDHC card as fast as 10mbit seems.8gb class 6 highly recommended. As of now the "transcend" version claims 11mbit write, and true reviews make it a choice until more brands and prices continue to drop for sdhc. This camera uses every bit of it. I will not go for the 4GB as listed in the panasonic manual. the 8gb seems to add to necessary bandwidth, even if it is large for its battery life (ac adapter for car and home does that problem good as well as spare batteries like all cameras). Also, my next still camerawill be a panasonic lumix, as the batteries and chargers are the same. I did not want too many functions in a vid camera claiming tough, and panasonic made a winner with this one.
Called anything but High definition (the vid is too small) the quality can make some so called cheaper hd with bigger picture, a shame in comparison.Pleasant surprise after getting codecs and the norm for mpeg2 on my pc to get the most out of it. WOW.
Add to that 55 minute recording time on one battery charge, I got the entire lunar eclipse into the umbral shadow in one shot. I have had it in -12F in the wind, 3 ice storms, rain, snow, fog at 33 degrees (oh the 3000 dollar hd camera loves that NOT),on a the dash bouncing around in a 500hp caterpillar diesel rig (EIS almost keeps up). then put it back in your pocket, to have no concerns if it falls out...unless you lose it.
I hope to get another..it seems the prices as of this feb29 2008 review is higher than what I just paid a month ago. My other choice was a cheap HD and gave that up considering where I live (they are for the dainty, no doubt, with a big wallett to spare as well...) No regrets what-so-ever. 5 stars truthfully. I hope panasonic continues this train of thought with future cameras like it (the all waterproof for example). I have never had a camera survive in a single winter where I live. This seems justice deserved for folks in my situation...HD in the same package will be a sight to see, I hope.
Durable little camera that takes excellent video [Posted on 2008-06-09]
I have been using this little camera for a couple weeks now and really like it. The picture quality is very good, with a caveat, the recorded files must first go through a computer. This is of utmost importance, and also the reason I suspect for so many bad reviews on this camera. I must say that I too was ready to return it when I first played back my initial clips directly from the camera via the supplied video/audio cable to my Sony 32" CRT TV set. The images were very jagged with pronounced aliasing and the overall video quality was definitely not acceptable. In spite of that, I decided to go one step further and burn a DVD using those same video clips. What a difference! I could hardly believe I was watching the same video, and on the same Sony TV set too. I presume that for some reason or another direct playback onto a conventional interlaced TV just does not work very well, the saving grace of course is that the actual recorded video on the SD card is indeed good.
Basic operation of the camera is just that, basic and simple. There are no moving parts, except for the zoom/focus lens as the images and sound are recorded directly to a removable SD camera card. I am using a 4 gig SDHC card that I already had, and it gives me about 1 hour recording time when set on high quality (XP). The camera also has a few lesser quality modes for increased recording times. Selections are made through a menu, via a 4 way switch, and a few small buttons, all of which are straight forward and simple to use.
I have found the video quality to be excellent in bright light having brilliant well saturated colors, however as light diminishes so does the image. I guess what this means is this camera is best suited for sunny days outside. Not that indoor pictures are bad, just not as colorful as in direct sunlight. Consider though that this is a weather resistant, shock proof, rugged little unit that was specially made for the outdoors. What there is here is a very small video camera specifically designed to be taken outside, dropped in the snow, splashed on by a waterfall, and still fit into a shirt pocket. To that end it is very hard to beat, especially for the price.
The camcorder is capable of recording in both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio modes. I prefer the 4:3 mode as after all this is a standard definition camera, to be used on standard definition TV's. It makes no sense to stretch the pixel image unnecessarily in my opinion, since the electronics are already pushing the limits with size. The image sensor is a modest 1/6 inch with max image resolution 640x480 in 4:3 mode, the pixel count of course will drop in 16:9 mode. While on the subject of pixels, still shots are pretty lame. This is a video camera and should be used as such, bring along a good digital camera for stills! That said, it does a good job doing what it does, taking moving pictures.
Panasonic has provided several preset video scene selections, one being a sort of night shot mode. I found this to be pretty cool. The camera will take decent video of stationary, or slowly moving, objects in very low light. It does not have an infra red mode, so the image is captured using existing light. This gives a natural look to the video, although at the expense of frame rate and long shutter speeds. That means that while you would be able to take great shots of the Golden Gate bridge at night (using a tripod) you won't be able to shoot moving vehicles very well, or at all! Its limited I know, but fun nonetheless.
The steady shot feature works exceptionally well. This is an electronic type of image stabilization, not optical, which means resolution is cut back a little. I tried a series of shots both ways and I cannot tell the difference in image quality, but there sure is a very BIG difference in camera shake. It keeps the image solid right through the optical 10x zoom.
There are also 2 additional digital zoom settings, and as with all digital zooms are of dubious value. The optical zoom though is clear and smooth with good control using the toggle. Better than I had expected.
Playback is via USB and the aforementioned audio/video cable. AC needs to be plugged in for downloading, but so what. I guess so as not to corrupt the SD card by ensuring continuous power. The battery itself is tiny, and charges in a couple hours. It will run the camcorder for about 40 min or so. Extra batteries can be had on line cheap, so the relatively short run time is not a big deal to me.
Handling such a small camera without the attached strap would be really hard to do. Fortunately the carry strap also secures itself to the tripod socket thus forming a loop that fits the hand, similar to the bigger cameras. I found this to be a saving grace in getting a firm purchase on the camera. One should note here that this carry strap/hand loop attaches to the tripod socket using special threads, meaning that the strap must first be screwed into the camera and the tripod then screwed into the strap socket. Some may find this annoying, but it's a non issue in practical terms. There are 2 separate shutter buttons, one being conventionally located below the zoom toggle, and another located forward and on the side allowing the camera to be held in the palm while the index finger operates the camera record button.
The visual LCD display is bright and crisp, rotating up and down but not forward, meaning you can't stand in front of the lens and watch yourself, not an issue for me. It is easier that I had expected to see in bright light.
Sound is via a built in mic with no external jack. Audio quality is excellent when close, delivering crisp clear sound, but tends to fade with distance as most small units do. There is a zoom mic feature which increases volume according to the zoom setting, I found that not particularly effective. Nonetheless I am quite satisfied with the sound quality.
Output files are saved as .mod file extensions. They convert to Windows Media compatible .mov automatically as soon as the files are downloaded to the computer when using the supplied software. This allows the downloaded clips to be instantly viewable in Windows with no further conversion. As for the supplied software itself, although I have read numerous articles to the contrary, I've found it to be simple, easy, and powerful for basic editing. It's a great little editing program that works well, however it seems to have been made by people that did not speak very good English. I think that may well be the reason for the negative software reviews, and I confess it is a little annoying reading hacked up English. Get beyond that though and you'll find it to be a simple, easy to operate editor providing good basic special effects, titles, ability to add background music and burn DVD's quite easily. If a person just wants to get the clips out of the camera with no edits at all, that's a cake walk. Simply drag the clip thumbnails to the time line in what ever order you chose, then just click the burn DVD button and it will make a high quality DVD that plays wonderfully on a standard resolution TV. You won't be disappointed with the video quality when doing this. Beyond that a pretty impressive production can also be made using the full editing features.
Bottom line is this is a very nice camcorder for those wishing durability and simplicity while still getting a decent picture and sound. Fact is this will be the camera most often taken to the beach, or snow skiing, or packed along on a hike while bigger cameras will stay home safely planted on a closet shelf. It's a good choice for active people. It will not equal the image quality or features of those bigger, more fragile camcorders, but it will most likely be the camera actually there when Bigfoot waves to you on a rainy day in the deep forest! My only real complaint is I sure do wish it came with a lens cover, actually the lens itself is protected by a clear glass window, but it'd sure have been nice to be able to cover that. I guess one could improvise. Also the plastic door that covers the output/power jacks is a little flimsy, but with care should last. The battery compartment door is spring loaded and more substantial, although both doors are rubber lined to keep water and dust out. I gave this camera a 5 star rating because it does what it is claimed to do.
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