Is this a US Model? I can find no reference to this model at Panasonic or on the web. The only thing found was a reference to this being a European model. Can someone please clarify if this is a US model? Are there 2 versions of this camcorder? Or are the descriptions for this wrong on the Amazon site? thanks Is this a US Model? I can find no reference to this model at Panasonic or on the web. The only thing found was a reference to this being a European model. Can someone please clarify if this is a... » Read More Is this a US Model? I can find no reference to this model at Panasonic or on the web. The only thing found was a reference to this being a European model. Can someone please clarify if this is a US model? Are there 2 versions of this camcorder? Or are the descriptions for this wrong on the Amazon site? thanks « Show Less
1764416
I think if you will claim the 100 difference back the Amazon will do it. A few days back I read a review from somebody that said they got the 100$ back
1764417
Please correct me if I am wrong, but as I found out this was NOT a compatible model for North America. I called Panasonic directly and they concurred that this is a European model, UK to be exact. Obviously, major differences will be in voltage and region recordings. US similar product is SD60K which is not 3MOS unfortunately. Amazon didn't specify these important details when advertized.
1764418
Hi Austin,This item does have a US Panasonic Manufacturers Warranty. I cannot speak for the SquareTrade warranty, but if one of the requirements is that it has a US warranty, you are all set. Hope that helps.
1764419
Is this item eligible for the SquareTrade warranty, even though it does not have an AMERICAN warranty?
1764420
I was able to purchase a square trade warranty with this camcorder. As for Amazon crediting the $100 difference, still no luck. I'd love to hear from the guy that posted that they did give him a credit.
390366
Hello, I am the Buyer for this product. The SD600 is a US model, though it does have limited distribution. You are correct that it is distributed more prominently in other countries. Some have indicated in the product reviews that it may be PAL, which it is not; this model is NTSC, which is the US standard. Hope that helps.
1764421
To all, I ended up buying this. The SD600K listed is here is definitely a US model. On the downside, I bought this on 12/9 for 499 and just 10 days later it is 399. So, bad for me, good for you I guess.
1199676
The camera I received from The Professional Depot is apparently NOT a US model; Panasonic won't let me register it in the US, and say it is not covered by warranty. It looks like, without being able to register the camera, I won't be able to access firmware updates.
2214378
Panasonic came out with a portable DVD Burner to go along with the HDC-SD5 camcorder. The model # is VW-BN1. It just came out and so far only a few are available on Ebay from people who pre-ordered their HDC-SD5 with the burner and just received it (but don't want the burner). I haven't seen it available anywhere else, but you should see it in retail stores or Amazon in a month or two. You can transfer video directly to the DVD Burner (on a normal DVD-R disc) from the camcorder, and you can play the discs through the player on your High Definition tv (so you don't necessarily need a PS3). Panasonic came out with a portable DVD Burner to go along with the HDC-SD5 camcorder. The model # is VW-BN1. It just came out and so far only a few are available on Ebay from people who pre-ordered their HDC-SD5 with the burner and just received it (but don't want the burner). I haven't seen it available anywhere else, but you should see it in retail stores or Amazon in a month or two. You can transfer video directly to the DVD Burner (on a normal DVD-R disc) from the camcorder, and you can play the discs through the player on your High Definition tv (so you don't necessarily... » Read More Panasonic came out with a portable DVD Burner to go along with the HDC-SD5 camcorder. The model # is VW-BN1. It just came out and so far only a few are available on Ebay from people who pre-ordered their HDC-SD5 with the burner and just received it (but don't want the burner). I haven't seen it available anywhere else, but you should see it in retail stores or Amazon in a month or two. You can transfer video directly to the DVD Burner (on a normal DVD-R disc) from the camcorder, and you can play the discs through the player on your High Definition tv (so you don't necessarily need a PS3). « Show Less
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Myrna, Have you gotten your camera, yet? If so, what do you think of it? This would be my first digital camera, and what attracts me to this is that it has manual controls. I would be learning photography on it, so I figure I should have manual and auto controls. I am looking to get a Panasonic because a sales person at Best Buy raved about them and said they have the best lenses. To be honest, I know practically nothing about photography, but have had an interest in it for many years. Do you think this camera would be a good plact to start, at least digitally? Thanks, M
1935211
This is a question suited for the vendor. It seems this vendor is U.S.-based and ships through Amazon, so it is a good bet that it is a U.S. product with Panasonic USA warranty. Some "grey market" items, while genuine products, may not come with a USA warranty but an "international" warranty of some sort which may require shipping overseas in the event of a warranty claim. Check with the vendor to get a definite answer.
194910
Bob, did you ever find out? I just ordered the camera and want to know the same thing! Thanks for any help.
2276246
Hi Everyone.I am searching to buy an extra battery for this camcorder but do not know what type battery will work with it. Anyone know please tell me where can i buy and model number, thanks.Peter Vo
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I think your best bet would be to look on eBay. I wanted the JVC GZ-MC200 in PAL format when in first came out a few years back (we were moving to South Africa back then) and searched quite a few places. I was eventually able to buy it from a eBay seller based in HongKong. The whole transaction went very well and the camera was brand new as described. But I did pay about 30% more because no one else had it here in the States. Good luck.JawadPlano, TX
474599
I have a question about this also...Is this a one-time use camcorder or can it be re-used?I am thinking the latter, just by virrtue of the selling price...Many thanks in advance!
848753
Yes. Manual and camera are the U.S. model, unless you are ordering it in directly from a Japanese retailer. All of the Amazon U.S. based retailers will sell you the U.S. version of the camera.
289369
I have no idea! 16 reviews. Poof! Gone. I spent a lot of time and effort on my review of this camcorder, trying to be informative and helpful but it will be the last review I write on Amazon if the reviews for this camcorder are not restored.
1026666
I've spent hours on google trying to figure out whether various camcorder models have microphone jacks. It is never in the description. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can Google "(model number brand) microphone jack" and find a review which specifies. I'm pissed off. It shouldn't take this long to shop for a camera.
1765709
Well it's Panasonic. I own 4 Panasonic cameras and they are made in Japan. Not aware of a US version although there may be a version made for the American market. The camera comes with a 3 year warranty issued directly from Panasonic but you have to register your camera to be eligible for the warranty.
585493
Good question. I would like to know why it is still available. My understand is, it's out of production. Are these knock offs?... I have read all of the reviews about this model, the Black colored camera. I also would like to understand the difference between the Black USA model versus the Sliver Japanese model, there is only 2 reviews on the Silver colored camera. Can anyone give some input?
712312
Could you tell me if the place of origin has anything to do with whether or not Canon will honor the warranty? I was told by a vendor that if a canon camcorder was a "Japanese" model, Canon would not honor the warranty, and that if it was a US camcorder, they would. Is that true and how can you tell if the camcorder you buy is one or the other?
1448985
Thanks for the input and advice. I'm new to high-end(expensive) digital camera market. I realized after I posted this question that the camera is sold out or otherwise unavailable now and it could take a month or two to get one even if I ordered today. I'll definitely look into buying one in the next few months.
326285
i got the DMC-FZ200K and got the freakin japanese camera, and it says its for US market in the box, i dont know why panasonic would do this to me, maybe try the DMC-FZ200 no K