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| Canon Vixia HF R200/R20/R21 | Panasonic HDC-SD40/TM40/TM41 | Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 | |
| Sensor (effective video resolution) | 1.47 - 2.07-megapixel CMOS (depends on IS) | 1.2-megapixel CMOS | 1.35 megapixels |
| 1/4.85 inch | 1/5.8 inch | 1/4-inch | |
| Lens | 20x f1.8-3.6 49-980mm (depends on IS) | 16.8x f1.8-2.6 42.9 - 721mm | 25x f1.8-3.2 37-1075mm |
| Closest focus (inches) | 0.4 | 1.6 | n/a |
| Min illumination (lux) | recommended: 100 standard: 5 low light: 0.4 | standard: 1400 low light: 7 Color Night View: 1 | recommended: n/a standard: n/a low light: 5 |
EVF | None | None | None |
| LCD | 3-inch 230,000 dots | 2.7-inch 230,400-dot | 2.7-inch 230,000 pixels |
| Primary media | 0GB/8GB/ 32GB internal; 2 x SDXC | 0GB/16GB/16GB flash; 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC |
| HD recording | AVCHD: 1080/60i @ n/a Mbps; 1440 x 1080/60i @ n/a Mbps (also encodes 30p as 60i) | AVCHD: 1080/60i @ 17, 13, 9 Mbps | AVCHD: 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps; 1440x1080/60i @ 9,5 Mbps |
| Manual shutter speed | No | Yes | No |
| Manual iris | No | Yes | No |
| Accessory shoe | No | No | No |
| Audio | 2 channels; mic, headphone jacks | 2 channels | 2 channels |
| Body dimensions (WHD, inches) | 2.4 x 2.4 x 4.8 | 2.0 x 2.3 x 4.3 | 2 x 2.3 x 4.5 |
| Operating weight (pounds) | 10.9 (est) | 7.9 | 9.3 |
| Mfr. Price | $329.99/ $349.99/ $449.99/ | $296.99/$359.99 /$339.99 | $399.99 |
| Ship date | March 2011 | March 2011 | January 2010 |
The problem there, however, is that the screen and the controls on the bezel--menu, enter and four navigation buttons--are so small that it can be awkward using the menus or manual controls. Otherwise, it's easy enough to use. It's got a typical design; record button falls under your right thumb (when you hold it at eye level via the grip), and there's a zoom switch and photo button on top. A big switch on the right toggles between record and playback modes. Inside the LCD recess are the auto/manual, image stabilization, video light and power buttons, along with the SD card slot and USB, AV/Multi and HDMI connectors. There's also a manual switch for a lens cover.
The camcorder itself feels a little plasticky, but it doesn't feel fragile and that makes it quite light.
Conclusion
For a cheap camcorder with advanced features but nominally HD video, the price of the Panasonic HDR-SD40 can't be beat. If you can find the TM40 or TM41 for less than the cost of the SD40 plus a memory card, they're fine, too. But if you want decent HD video quality, you're still going to have to spend at least a couple hundred more.
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