High picture quality & sound
3CCD camera system
Most professional broadcasting cameras use the 3CCD camera system, with its superior colour reproduction. In a 1CCD system, all of the incoming light information is processed by the same CCD. The more advanced 3CCD system uses three distinct CCDs for processing, so there is absolutely no light loss. The 3CCD camera system draws out the full potential of full-HD image quality.
5.1-CH Surround sound & zoom microphone
Panasonic HD camcorders are equipped with five electret condenser microphones. The centre mic helps
capture the sound source and distance accurately, so you get a more 3-dimensional effect than you get with conventional systems, which capture all sounds from the front. You get a realistic sound space that's a perfect match with the true-to-life HD images.
 Zoom mode
In Zoom mode the microphones are linked to the lens action. When you zoom in on a subject, the microphones focus on the sound in that same direction.
Focus mode
In this mode the microphones focus on sounds coming from right in front of you, even when the lens is not zooming.
10x Optical zoom
Distant subjects can be enlarged so they appear to be right up close. This allows dynamic shots of both motion and still pictures.
Advanced O.I.S.
Panasonic's Advanced O.I.S. is a new image stabilizing function that achieves around eight times higher precision than our previous system. The system uses gyro-sensors to detect hand-shake, then shifts a lens and adjusts its optical axis to compensate. And while our previous system checked and compensated for hand-shake around 500 times per second, the new Advanced O.I.S. works around 4,000 times per second. Advanced O.I.S. enables finer, more effective hand-shake compensation. Also, because the system is optical, image quality is not lost. With Advanced O.I.S., you'll capture images that are clear, sharp and beautiful on a big screen TV.
O.I.S lens
The lens moves up/down or left/right and bends the incoming light to correct hand-shake. The hand-shake correction frequency has been increased from 500 to 4,000 times per second!
Digital cinema mode
Progressive 1080/24p
Set the SD9 or HS9 to Digital Cinema mode and shoot in progressive 1080/25p format (25 pictures per second). Progressive scanning captures clear, vibrant images with intricate detail. You get faithful images with an appealing film-like quality.
Digital cinema colour with VIERA*
This mode automatically switches the camcorder to the Digital Cinema Colour range, which approaches the digital colour range used in Hollywood digital movie production. Colours recorded in this mode look more natural than
those recorded using conventional standard. For example, the subtle reds and yellows of flowers, and the greens of leafy trees are remarkably true to life.
HD Advanced pure colour engine
Panasonic took the advanced imaging circuitry used in our professional equipment and adapted it for home use in the HD advanced pure colour engine. The result is a high-speed processing unit that can handle the huge volumes of data captured in high-definition video recordings. The HD advanced pure colour engine also incorporates a new system that improves resolution and reduces noise while achieving a compact size and lower power consumption.
Video compression LSI
Designed specifically for full-HD recording, this advanced LSI provides the high compression (H.264 High Profile used) needed to achieve high-resolution recording with a low bit rate. It helps ensure beautiful recordings by minimizing the image degradation that can occur when shooting fast-moving subjects.
High picture quality wide (16:9) 2.7” LCD
These models offer high quality wide images that make for beautiful, dramatic viewing on a wide-screen TV. The image is processed on the 16:9 area of the CCD. Because the image decoded has the same proportions as your wide-screen TV, there is virtually no picture quality degradation. You get beautiful images and all the excitement and dynamism on either a wide 16:9 screen TV or a conventional 4:3 TV. These models also feature a high-density, 300,000-pixel, wide 2.7-inch LCD, making it easier to frame shots when you’re shooting in 16:9 mode. You can enjoy shooting and viewing in wide mode.
Leica Dicomar lens
The HD camcorders boast a Leica Dicomar lens. Developed specifically for full-HD digital camcorders, this lens system is made using a multi-coating process that prevents light reflection and glare, which can make colours bleed and images appear washed out. It also prevents rings of light or "ghosts."
Tele-macro
Using the zoom at full magnification, you can shoot macro close-ups while maintaining a distance of 60 cm from your subject. This 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.
Recording functions
AGS (Auto ground directional standby)
The O.I.S. linear motor system can detect when the camera is in an unusual shooting position when you have inadvertently left it recording. In this case, when AGS is turn on, the camera automatically stops recording, saving both tape and battery power.
Auto lens cover
When the power is turned on, the lens cover automatically opens. When the power goes off, the lens cover closes. You don't have to keep removing and replacing a lens cap - or worry about losing it.
Face detection
It's difficult to shoot scenes with deep shadows or large differences between light and dark areas. The subject often looks too dark, and faces can be hard to see. Panasonic solves this problem with Face Detection, a function that automatically adjusts the exposure according to the ambient brightness, so faces are bright and easy to see. When the camcorder detects a face in the scene, a square frame appears around it in the LCD monitor and the exposure is adjusted to correct the brightness level. The skin tone is also smoothed. Face Detection can detect up to five faces at once. With Face Detection – offered for the first time for recording moving pictures with a video camera – Panasonic makes it easy to capture beautiful faces and clear backgrounds even in dim or backlit scenes.
High speed burst shooting (24 frames)
Both the SD9 and HS9 feature high-speed burst shooting at a fast 24 frames per second. In three seconds, you can shoot up to 72 still shots. High-speed burst shooting is especially useful for shooting fast-moving objects or capturing spontaneous moments, such as in sports events.
Intelligent contrast control
By detecting the intensity of the ambient light and adjusting the exposure accordingly, Intelligent Contrast Control prevents blown highlights and blocked shadows. This helps render natural-looking, highly nuanced images with proper contrast. Even when you're shooting directly toward the light source – a very challenging situation in photography – Intelligent Contrast Control lets you capture clear images with enhanced depth.
Intelligent shooting guide
This convenient function helps you choose the best shooting settings. It displays a text message in the LCD monitor, telling you which settings are best for the current conditions.
Intelligent shooting selection playback
Poor or inadvertent shots (such as shots of the ground or overly dark scenes) are skipped, and all normal scenes are played. Detectable shooting mistakes range from dark scenes, fast panning/tilting, hand swinging, low light, ground shooting and poorly focused shots.
MagicPix® Images
MagicPix® Images gives you smoothly flowing pictures even in dark places, where it's normally difficult to capture good shots.
High 5 lux sensitivity
The new digital signal processor reduces noise to allow shooting all the way down to 5 lux illumination. You get natural-looking shots even in dim rooms or at dusk.
Motion picture recording (HA/HG/HX/HE mode)
| Mode |
HA (17Mbps/VBR)
1920 x 1080 |
HG (13Mbps/VBR)
1920 x 1080 |
HX (9Mbps/VBR)
1920 x 1080 |
HE (6Mbps/VBR)
1440 x 1080 |
| HDD (HS9 only) |
60GB* |
7 h, 40 min |
10 h, 10 min |
15 h, 20 min |
23 h |
| SD/SDHC memory cards |
4GB* |
30 min |
40 min |
1 h |
1 h, 30 min |
| 8GB* |
1 h |
1 h, 20 min |
2 h |
3 h |
| 16GB* |
2 h |
2 h, 40 min |
4 h |
6 h |
One-touch navigation & joystick control
The joystick makes the camera much easier to use, letting you control all basic operations. Just watch the image in the monitor and follow the instruction guide. You can handle a number of operations quickly and easily.
Pre-rec function
This clever 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 onto the SDHC/SD Memory Card or hard disk 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.
Power LCD extra
Power LCD Extra lets you adjust the LCD brightness in two steps by simply pressing the Power LCD button. The +1 mode increases brightness by 80% for easy outdoor viewing, and +2 mode emphasizes contrast when shooting in strong sunlight conditions such as when skiing or at the beach.
Quick start (0.6 seconds)
In Quick Start mode*, the SD9 and HS9 are ready to record 0.6 second after the LCD is opened. You’re always ready to capture the moment, even when the unexpected occurs.
Quick search & access with thumbnails
The camera's LCD screen displays a list of the recorded scenes for quick and easy searching. An index tab lets you switch between motion and still image thumbnails for fast retrieval of specific scenes. You can also do some polished editing using only the camera.
Wide viewing angle
With 300,000 dots and exceptional detail, the new LCD is among the best in the industry. The viewing angle is 170° both vertically and horizontally, so everyone can gather around and easily see the images you just shot. The wide viewing angle is also a big help when you're taking high-angle or low-angle shots.
World timer
With the SD9 and HS9, setting the time is as easy as selecting a city from the displayed map. The World Timer
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.
Editing/networking
Burning / Viewing
The SD9's USB Host function lets you connect directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. You can then copy recordings from the SD Memory Card to a DVD disc, maintaining their original full-HD format, by simply pressing a button.
Connecting to an HDTV via HDMI cable
Just connect your video camera to an HDTV and you're ready for high-definition viewing. If your TV is HDMI* compatible, a single HDMI mini cable is all you need. When using a video component cable, you need a separate audio cable.
Direct view with an SD card slot
Simply take the SDHC/SD Memory Card from your HD camcorder and slip it into the card slot on your Panasonic VIERA PZ850 series or Blu-ray Disc Player BD30, and you're ready to view full-HD images recorded in the AVCHD format.
HD Writer Ver. 2.5E (included)
The SD9 and HS9 also come with software that makes it easy to edit your recordings using a PC. When editing, mistaken photos such as shots of the ground or shots with hand-shake can be automatically cut* to speed up the process. After editing, you can copy the results to a DVD disc in either the AVCHD or the MPEG2 format. Choose the one that best suits your playback equipment or how you intend to use your recordings. This easy-to-use software gives you more creative ways to enjoy the recordings you make. The software guides you through the simple steps. You'll find editing easy to do, even if it's your first time.
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