Why isn't there more talk about CMOS "wobble" issues? Is this just part of HD that everyone lives with? I've been shooting standard def for 15 yrs and the last several with a HC96. The OIS is effective enough to make in-car video smooth. Well, I recently shot a weeks worth of video with a Sony HC9. Everything was handheld and I did a far amount of pans (mainly tracking my subject, etc). The HD video looked amazing, BUT the video was very jumpy at times. I thought something was wrong with the camera's OIS and returned it.

I then tried a Canon HF100. It was better (at least for the video I shot) but still jumps at times. After researching it more that I should, I found this article (http://dvxuser.com/jason/CMOS-CCD). Half way down the page he links to this clip (http://hv20.info/yopu/wobble2.mov).That is similar to how my in-car video looks -- very unusable.

So the question, is this just how sub $1000 CMOS sensor HD is or just HD in general? Is the Panasonic SD9 with its 3 CCD better in terms of smooth HD? Why'd Panasonic switch to 3 CMOS on the replacement?

So the question, is this just how sub $1000 CMOS sensor HD is or just HD in general?

If you are talking about wobble effect, it would be due to the rolling shutters used by consumer CMOS. And this has nothing to do with HD, though any artefacts is made clearer by HD. Another contributing factor is the stabilization system.

Is the Panasonic SD9 with its 3 CCD better in terms of smooth HD? Why'd Panasonic switch to 3 CMOS on the replacement?

CCD does not have roling shutters artefact, but it has other problem such as vertical smear and lower low light sensitivity. The general trend seems to be going towards CMOS from CCD; and Panasonic is following the trend.

I have not encountered any situations where my video was affected by wobble effect. But if you do, then it is very hard to correct.

HD sensors use more power than SD, so CMOS using less power (and thus run cooler) are a major advantage for the manufactures and consumers. There is no perfect technology out there, they all have drawbacks, till recently, there was just CCD so it was status quo. The shutter issue is lame, I do see it on my HF100 footage, but the fact that I get full raster 1080p30 with great color in a camera I can fit in my back pocket, is a worth while trade off.

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to watch the HC9 footage again to see how bad it was. I do recall the video looked similar (but not as bad) as the above sample clip... still unwatchable. The panning to follow your subject was also bad. If I didn't move the camera it looked great. Perhaps I've developed bad habits I need to break.

erikcantu, have you ever tried shooting video while in the car or is most of your shooting static (camera not moving)?

kalak, which camera do you have?

I second that, footage plz!

My choices are narrowed to the HF10 (HF11 maybe for the right price) and the SD9/SD100(price again)

My last obstacle is figuring out which will serve me better when mounted in-car. Will I just have to turn off the OIS regardless of which camera I purchase? I have yet to see any in-car footage from the Panasonics, or from either with the OIS off.

I have walked with my HF11 and even climbed in and out of cars and etc and NEVER had that wobble effect as bad as it looked in that video above...

it almost looks intentional....now until i get my Hague i use a tripod folded up as a monopod and use the remote in my hand to control zoom...its works rather well for home movie footage and even nature shots that i do...

i even used it running along side my lil nephew dribbling a soccer ball ...it was fine but when I get the hague its a different story!