What determines how clear a camcorder is?

Is my new Full HD Camcorder, really a Full HD Camcorder?

• I've been sold a full HD Panasonic Camcorder but is it really Full HD? I have been searching for a Full HD Camcorder for quite a while, and eventually yesterday I took the plunge and I bought a Panasonic HDC-SD41. However I then read a review for a JVC Everio OZ - HM445. This camcorder gets fabulous reviews, and also "claims" to be a Full HD Camcorder. But this particular review, does include a rather strange twist, in its otherwise glowing review, and I quote: "Where the HM30 opts for AVCHD Lite, so its maximum resolution is 720p, the HM445 records regular, full-fat AVCHD with a top resolution. However, the sensor is a similarly specified 1/5.8in CMOS with just 1.5Mpixels, which isn't enough for Full HD, as this requires at least 2.07Mpixels". I find this confusing, as this review seems to be saying that this camcorder is NOT Full HD because the sensor is too small to operate Full HD? I have now realised, that the Panasonic I bought yesterday, "Full HD camcorder HDC-SD41's" (Is this an exclusive to the Curry's group by the way, i cannot find anybody else selling it?) sensor, is also only: "Sensor (in pixels) 1.50 mega pixels". So does this mean, that the HDC-SD41 is also being sold as a Full HD camcorder, but has sensors that are too small to cope with Full HD? therefore how can it truly be Full HD? I have not opened the box yet or broken the seal.. Help! What should I do? as having a camcorder that is Full HD is my first and most important requirement! Should I take it back ?and buy a "real" Full HD Panasonic or other Full HD Camcorder? bearing in mind that the HDC-SD41 is at the top of my "starter" budget! Please help! I am confused, how can a camera be sold as a Full HD Camera if the lens/sensor is not up to the job? Hopefully someone can explain what 's going on? I did ask both JVC and Panasonic for an explanation, but I didn't get much help, they were so "knowledgeable" that they could not even explain to me the difference between HD and Full HD! So no luck there then!

• Answer:

  don't open the box and pose your question to the salesman. what you really want is native resolution. since consumer CCDs are actually 3:4 format, it takes a 3 Megapixel CCD to produce full HD in native resolution. native resolution means there is a pixel on the CCD for every pixel recorded. the term "full HD" is used in marketing to make a poor quality consumer camera sound like it is better than a pro HDV recorder. an HDV recorder, like its miniDV cousin uses "non-square" pixels which makes it easy for salepeople to give the 2-step to the consumer about not being as good. The issue they sidestep is datarate. HDV at 25 mbps is superior to any Full HD camera at 6 mbps on SD cards. the HDC-SD41 is the same series camera as the HDC-SD40 which you can get more info on. Its main claim to fame is its tiny size. its not a bad camera for the price, and imho you will need to pay a lot more for a model that fits your description.