Panasonic SDR-SW20 Waterproof Reviews

1st time in the water Camcorder was destroyed
by On A Friday Wire from Racine, WI, 2010-06-03

The camcorder worked great, just as expected. My girlfriend used it for 3 weeks in Ireland with no problems, but once we entered the ocean with it just 1 month after purchasing the camecorder never turned on again. We didn't knock it, bump it, drop it, go in above our heads and it just quit. I tried to dry it, no luck. Even took it apart and then saw the corrosion. To add insult to injury the broken camcorder was stolen at an African airport by the airport security..I guess the joke's on him ;)

Panasonic SDR-SW20 Camera
by James Etheridge from LA, 2009-11-21

Seems to work very well. Good optical zoom range and pretty good capture in lower light levels. Haven't taken it into the water yet but mostly wanted it to use if rainy or foggy.

LOVE IT!!!
by da Hoef from South Tampa Bay, 2009-11-19

Look, this is a very "fun", portable, waterproof video camera, and we have gotten some great clips in the past 17 mos. using it...ABSOLUTELY no regrets!

This is NOT a high-quality still camera, a camera that was designed for making motion pictures, or even commercial quality videos.

It's a great little video camera that you will get your moneys worth out of, just watching people's expression when you "drop it" in the water! Hoef

Works well
by win from Southlake, Texas, 2009-09-14

Better video quality than I thought it would have....not great, but not bad, and the waterproof aspect really is huge.

Great camera, I thoroughly enjoy it.
by BPup from OK, USA, 2009-08-09

Many reviews have berated the video quality of this camcorder but I have no complaints. If you are big on videos and buying new video cameras every 1-2 years then you might complain about the quality. However I find the video quality good since the last camcorder we owned was from the late 90's and used tapes. This camera is very easy to use and I've had nothing but compliments from people who have seen me using it. The picture quality is poor but this is not a camera designed to take pictures so that's to be expected. I have yet to get it wet as in putting it under water or used in a heavy rain. I have used it during a light sprinkle, and have had it in sandy conditions. I plan on using it when we go snorkeling next summer. As long as you read the owners manual carefully and use the camera the way Panasonic designed it to be used. Yes the water packing has to be replaced, but that only has to be done every 18 months. That is a year and a half.. those that complain about having to do that are the ones who expect everything to last forever without maintenance when a reasonable normal person knows that is impossible. If the maintenance requirements bother you then don't buy the camera, it's America, buy something else and stop complaining. If you want it to work the way it was designed to work and you want it to last as long as possible then do what the manufacturer recommends. I'm happy with it, I have no complaints, it is a great camera that looks great. Extra batteries are needed but due to the design of the camera then it's easy to understand why battery life had to be sacrificed. Again, if that bothers you then don't buy it, it is that simple.