A review of the new Panasonic HDC-SD5EG-K, a digital camcorder.

DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT: This camera is the world's smallest 3CCD High Definition Camcorder, and it's also extremely light, weighing in at less than most of its competitors at 340g.

DURABILITY: The design of the camera is unique: the memory cards are internal (built-in) and there are no fragile moving parts in the recording section. Obviously, you have to treat any camera with respect and this camcorder is no different, BUT it's exceptionally durable.

LENS: It's a Leica Dicomar lens (well-known and reliable) offering either Manual or Automatic focus (a nice touch, especially if you're used to using manual cameras generally) and a whopping 10x Optical Zoom and 25 - 700x Digital Zoom. Speed shutter range is a more than adequate 1/30 - 1/8000 (less on Still Pictures, however).

FEATURES: Nothing ground-breaking, but a good selection of the best and most useful features on the market, including USB 2.0 compatibility - the selling point of this camera is, however, its size. The self-timer only works on photos, which is the only drawback. The huge plus is the advanced OIS SYSTEM. Yup, it's time for capitals - this is a feature you just should not miss. If, like me, you don't have steady hands, you've probably found that the effect is 100 times more annoying on film than still photos (we're all SO over "The Blair Witch Project", after all). I don't know exactly HOW the OIS system eliminates the effects of shaky hands, but it DOES and you really will have beautiful clear images as a result. Intelligent Contrast Control doesn't do much that I can see, but is a nice extra. The range of SHOOTING MODES is perhaps more limited than you'd expect on such a hi-tec camcorder: there's only low light/portrait/sports and spotlight - my oldish digicam has far, far more. If shooting modes really matter to you, this probably isn't the camera you want.

OVERALL: A great camera, especially good for the cameraman (or woman) who really wants not to BEGIN filming, but to improve the quality and consistency of their film images. My one absolute warning is on PRICE. If you decide you want this camera, shop about for a good price - they can vary by hundreds of pounds. Around £550 is a perfectly reasonable price - if you're being asked for more than £600, go elsewhere. Some sites like qed-uk.com want (at the time of writing) well over £700 - ripoff. If someone does want to buy a camera purely based on size/weight, I would always urge them to wait six months and/or consider the second- and third-smallest/lightest cameras as well. Being "the very smallest" camera carries clout that can bump up the price disproportionately: smaller cameras may be along soon, and the weight difference may only be very small - try them out, and make the judgement for yourself. Unless you simply have to have THE camera, you may get better value for money from a camera that's not quite so red hot. The Panasonic HDC-SD5EG-K may well be one of the most intelligently-designed cameras out there, but that doesn't make it the best.