When I 1st stumbled upon this mysterious "Amazon Exclusive" camcorder i used to be a trifle mystified - I might realize no info regarding it on the US Panasonic web site, nor was there any mention of it on cnet or any of the opposite major review sites. What i finally discovered was that the SD600 could be a best-seller within the UK however hasn't been obtainable within the U.S. before now, that explains why finding detailed data. and reviews on it had been somewhat troublesome. For those that need detailed data. (including manuals) you'll to travel to the Panasonic UK web site (panasonic.co.uk).
To save you it slow, the HDC-SD600 is essentially a similar camcorder because the HDC-TM700 with simply a couple of exceptions. The optics of the 2 camcorders are identical (3MOS, 1080/60p recording, 12x optical zoom, 14.2 MP stills, 35mm wide-angle lens, etc.), and by stripping the TM700 down slightly - removing a couple of "minor" options - they were able to take a fairly smart chunk off the TM700`s value tag (currently a distinction of regarding $275).
The major variations between the 2 models are as follows: 1st, there's no built-in memory with the SD600 that the cheaper price immediately becomes somewhat less spectacular considering you would like to consider the value of an SD card into the ultimate price - around $100 for 32GB (which is what is built-in to the TM700). The second distinction is that the built-in microphone of the SD600 is two-channel stereo vs. the 5.1 surround on the TM700. Third, and probably most significantly, there aren't any jacks (nor is there a seat) to connect an external microphone or headphones. the dearth of a mic. jack may well be a deal breaker looking on what quantity of a stickler you're regarding the sound of the fan that, as within the TM700, is typically audible when shooting in terribly quiet locations. With the TM700, users are able to work round the fan noise by attaching an external microphone and that is not an choice with the SD600, that is unquestionably one thing to contemplate. The fourth distinction is that the lack of a view-finder and lastly there's no manual management of the main focus ring and iris, etc. as there's on the TM700.
The fan noise has become the TM700`s Achilles' heel, as you'll see by reading the client reviews on it here and elsewhere and also the fan put in within the SD600 is that the same. simply to allow you to grasp, the fan IS audible in footage shot in quiet locations...however I do surprise if the noise are a few things i might have noticed had I not been told regarding it.
Hope this helps which nobody else can got to pay the higher a part of on a daily basis (as I did) finding info regarding this camcorder!
