I have a Canon ZR500 and would like to upgrade to either the Canon HF100 or the Panasonic HDC-SD9 so I can start shooting HD.

Q1: Which has the better image stabilizer? The vast majority of my shots are on vacations without a tripod, so I'm constantly fighting shakey video.

Q2: Which is smaller? It's always a struggle to fit my camcorder in our suitcase or in a backpack when we go hiking.

Q3: Which does better in low light? While most of my filming is done outdoors, I occasionally film inside too.

I can get the SD9 for about 90 dollars less than the HF100. What does the HF100 offer to justify the additional cost?

I assume either would be an improvement over my old ZR500?

Thanks,

Anthony

I was just in the same boat trying to decide which was better The SD9 or the HF100. I ended up with the HF100. While the Panasonic does have better stablization nothing I read indicated that is was majorly better than the Canon only a little bit better. I Believe the Panasonic is the smaller camera but not by enough to worry about.

I ended up with the Canon because it has better image quality in normal light, only slightly worse than the Panasonic in low-light and because it has many more features that I felt I wanted in a camera of the price I was looking at.

If your going to be doing editing understand that the AVCHD is still not as well supported other formats but is coming along quickly. Right now it looks like bang for the buch is with Sony's software. You will also want a good computer something with at least a Core2 Duo processor with a Core2 Quad being better. I factored in the software cost and the cost of upgrading my computer with a faster processor and more ram and I still chose the Canon. The Canon I feel has the best bang for the buck.

Robert

Robert,

Thanks for the feedback.

has many more features that I felt I wanted

What features does the HF100 have that you felt were missing from the SD9?

I ended up with the Canon because it has better image quality in normal light, only slightly worse than the Panasonic in low-light

I've seen clips from both on Vimeo, and either seems to produce fantastic video compared to my ZR500. I think either would be a major improvement for me.

AVCHD is still not as well supported

That's one of the reasons the price difference is so important right now. I figure I'm gonna have to spring for newer software, memory cards, additional batteries, etc. on top of the price of the camera itself.

You will also want a good computer something with at least a Core2 Duo processor with a Core2 Quad being better.

I have a Duo core E6750, 2.67ghz, with 2 gig of RAM. Probably not the best option, but it should do if I'm patient. :) It seems every step I take involves a new learning curve...

I think my local Best Buy has the SD9 in stock, so I may swing by and have a look in person. I don't think anyone has the HF100 locally.

Anthony

Q1: SD9

Q2: SD9, but they are pretty equal on that

Q3: HF100, no doubt ! SD9 low light=VHS quality. No comparison with what HF100 can produce.

Q1: Which has the better image stabilizer? The vast majority of my shots are on vacations without a tripod, so I'm constantly fighting shakey video.
Probably the SD9, but the difference is not huge.

Q2: Which is smaller?
I suppose the SD9 is smaller but again the difference is not that huge.

Q3: Which does better in low light?
The HF.

I can get the SD9 for about 90 dollars less than the HF100. What does the HF100 offer to justify the additional cost?
30p.

30p.

Plus way better image quality on HF100 (annoying artefacts on SD9).

way better image quality on HF100 (annoying artefacts on SD9).

Can you point me to a sample clip showing the artifacts you mention? The few SD9 clips I've seen on Vimeo appear to look just as good as the ones from the HF100. But maybe I just don't know what I'm looking for?

Anthony

You can't see very well thoses artifacts on vimeo. Look for raw, 1920x1080 video files. Compare theses 2 pictures:
http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/Image/JVC/JVC%20GZ-HD6/Performance/Extra_fullrez/Canon_HF10_Outside.BMP
http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/Image/JVC/JVC%20GZ-HD6/Performance/Extra_fullrez/HDC-SD9_Outside.BMP

I actually saw a HF100 last night at a local department store (of all places) and liked it very much (at least as much as I could judge without a battery in it.). But they wanted over 1000 dollars for it.

So, I'm thinking I'll go ahead and order a HF100 online. At least I've held one in my hands to know what it feels like (and it's much smaller than I was picturing, a big plus!).

As for the two clips, I guess I still don't know what I'm looking for. I didn't see that either clip was from the SD9, and I didn't see much difference between the two anyway. I guess that's a good thing, as I won't be as critical as some others might be.

Anthony

It is amazing how the tiny HF can pull off such a smooth and yet detailed picture. Panasonic picture lacks resolution, so to make image look sharper, the camera oversharps the image, which makes it grainy with some nasty splotches at the busy parts. Look at the bicycle on the left, see lots of noise around it. Or the turning Subaru Legacy, it is all pixelated. Not so with the HF.