paddling with a camera

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Manufacturer Description

The new SDR-SW20 combines a rugged, compact body with waterproofing that allows use in water, including seawater, to a depth of five feet, shock-proofing that protects against drops from up to 4 feet, and a dust-proofing design that shuts out airborne dust particles that can lead to malfunction. With a design that protects it from water, dust, and impact, the SW20 is a versatile camcorder that can meet varying weather conditions and shooting environments.

For ease of shooting, the SW20 features 10x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and a new design for easy and comfortable shooting. It also has a grip designed so the user can stabilize the unit by bracing the elbow against the body as with conventional camcorders. In addition, a Sub Rec button on the front of the camera, makes it possible to shoot with a pistol-grip style.

The SW20 records to SD or SDHC memory cards, which further contributes to its compact design and also provides extended recording capability. A 16GB SDHC memory card allows up to approximately 13 hours, 20 minutes of recording.

You can read a very detailed first impression review by Michael Perlman at camcorderinfo.com. Here are his conclusions:

Over the years, the tide has washed many camcorders ashore. Many of them deserve to be tossed back into the water due to poor imaging, limited manual controls, or inadequate design. The SDR-SW20 would be one of the many to walk the plank, but we have to cut it some slack. This is Panasonic’s first attempt at underwater video. The company has hit home on a couple of crucial traits that make the SDR-SW20 worthwhile for those who are going to take advantage of its unique features. It’s rugged, shock and dust-proof body and waterproof to five feet. Is this the all-in-one camcorder for ballgames and birthday parties? No. Is this the camcorder for people who travel to the islands twice a year for snorkeling? Yes, perhaps. So what if the video quality will most likely be subpar? So what if the controls are stuffed within the LCD cavity? We gripe throughout this review because we know Panasonic can do better, but for a first attempt at under $400, the SDR-SW20 should be able to find a home in the niche market.

The Panasonic camcorder is directly comparable to Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1. They are both designed to IPX8 international standard for waterproof: five feet underwater for up to 30 minutes (the same standard as Pentax Optio W30 or Olympus Stylus SW790 digital waterproof cameras).

I am primary a photographer, so I pay attention to still picture capability. The SDR-SW20 can only capture stills at 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution. This camcorder is by no means an alternative to a digital camera.

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