Travis Wheaton
June 20th, 2011, 07:53 AM
G'day,
I joined this forum recently to ask what was a good high end Sony camcorder, as I am looking to upgrade to HD from my old Canon MVX430.
After originally looking for a Sony CX550, I then had someone point me towards the Panasonic TM900. Googling showed several comparisons between the TM900 and CX550, as well as the high end Canons, and typically showed that the Panny was better than the CX in most things, and up there with the (more expensive) Canons.
So I started looking for a TM900 here in Australia... without any luck. Firstly, the Panasonic Australia website doesn't list it, and secondly, no one stocks it. They do have the SD900 listed, but no one has any stock. Evidently this was due to the Japan tsunami, with one vendor telling me only 16 SD900's made it into Oz, and they're still waiting to hear about further supplies. An email to Panasonic Australia has yielded no reply.
When I try to get information about the two cameras, I've had one site say that the SD is the "cheaper cousin" of the TM, with a smaller LCD... as well as the universally confirmed lack of onboard storage. Other sites seem to say that the only difference is the onboard storage.
Can anyone confirm this for me?
Second, as to availability... I have seen some "grey importers" selling both models, for about $500 less than the (SD's) official Aussie retail... (in fact, one particular site sells the TM for $100 LESS than the SD; which is baffling) Is there any Aussies who can confirm when more should be arriving in the country? (Again, no answer from Panasonic Australia as yet)
I've not dabbled with grey imports before... but as this camera does appear to be available elsewhere overseas, it may be my only speedy option. It doesn't hugely worry me (having no support from the local manufacturer's warranty) as I'm happy to spout paragraphs from the Trades Practices Act at any vendor who tries to deprive me of my legal rights... it can still be time consuming and annoying to have to deal with individual companies if something does go wrong...
Thanks
Travis
I joined this forum recently to ask what was a good high end Sony camcorder, as I am looking to upgrade to HD from my old Canon MVX430.
After originally looking for a Sony CX550, I then had someone point me towards the Panasonic TM900. Googling showed several comparisons between the TM900 and CX550, as well as the high end Canons, and typically showed that the Panny was better than the CX in most things, and up there with the (more expensive) Canons.
So I started looking for a TM900 here in Australia... without any luck. Firstly, the Panasonic Australia website doesn't list it, and secondly, no one stocks it. They do have the SD900 listed, but no one has any stock. Evidently this was due to the Japan tsunami, with one vendor telling me only 16 SD900's made it into Oz, and they're still waiting to hear about further supplies. An email to Panasonic Australia has yielded no reply.
When I try to get information about the two cameras, I've had one site say that the SD is the "cheaper cousin" of the TM, with a smaller LCD... as well as the universally confirmed lack of onboard storage. Other sites seem to say that the only difference is the onboard storage.
Can anyone confirm this for me?
Second, as to availability... I have seen some "grey importers" selling both models, for about $500 less than the (SD's) official Aussie retail... (in fact, one particular site sells the TM for $100 LESS than the SD; which is baffling) Is there any Aussies who can confirm when more should be arriving in the country? (Again, no answer from Panasonic Australia as yet)
I've not dabbled with grey imports before... but as this camera does appear to be available elsewhere overseas, it may be my only speedy option. It doesn't hugely worry me (having no support from the local manufacturer's warranty) as I'm happy to spout paragraphs from the Trades Practices Act at any vendor who tries to deprive me of my legal rights... it can still be time consuming and annoying to have to deal with individual companies if something does go wrong...
Thanks
Travis