Panasonic SDR-SW20 is a Genuinely Useful Waterproof Gadget
July 7, 2008 by Rico Mossesgeld
Filed under Digital Cameras
Remember our complaints about waterproof gadgets? Turns out they may have their uses after all.
Case in point: the Panasonic SDR-SW20. As the Gadget Grid reports:
Panasonic’s SDR-SW20 compact SD camcorder allows you to shoot in places never before possible (without spending a fortune). Rain, snow, pool or ocean (up to 5 feet deep), the Panasonic Waterproof Flash Memory Camcorder will get you the shots you want without worry of destroying the gadget. It’s also shockproof (up to 4 feet) and sand proof. Take it to the beach or sports field without worrying about sand. The SW20 SD camcorder is also quick on the draw. In Quick Start mode, recording begins in just 0.6 seconds from the time the LCD is opened.
The price seems reasonable too, at least according to Google Product Search. Although of course, “waterproof” is a relative term here; you can’t go deep sea diving with this baby.
I used the camera 3 times in the water. Before the last time i used it the record button on the top of the camera started to ware out. Next thing you know im in the water and the sticking continued. Then all of a sudden it just turned off. I sent it to shop i purchased it from and they sent it to the representative repairer who didnt do cameras and it sat in a truck for a week heading to Sydney panasonic. They opened it up and said water had go in and that the unit was not uneconomical to repair. They said it wasnt a manufacturer defect and that i must of done something to allow the water in. I followed all the instructions on the inside of the box. The box has pictures of a guy surfing, and has comments saying its ideal for surfing. When you open the box it says you cant use the camera in heavy currents such as waterfalls, though it doesnt say not to use it in the surf even though surf is a form of heavy currents. Though i didnt use it in heavy surf, only in small surf on fine days. To top it off the camera house said they wouldnt replace it and Panasonic didnt just refuse to replace the unit they acctually asked me if i wanted to buy another one at 75% of the cost. Ie the unit was $799 and they were willing to sell me one for $475. However they are instore now at $499. Does this really sound fare given that i only had the unit for two weeks and that it was only used for about an hour and a half in total and only for 30 minutes in the water on three different occasions. Mind you I did get the billabong towel, surf bag, and billabong hat with the deal and only paid $629. So technically I only got ripped off $529. Mind you i wouldnt of bought any of that Billabong surf stuff if it wasnt free.
I am about to write a letter to the camera shop telling them what most people have advised me to do. I am about to tell them to refund with in seven days or else I will send the whole case to Consumer affairs. Consumer affairs have advised me to do this rather than take the complaint directly to them. Will Consumer Affairs have the power to make Panasonic and Camera House face the fact that you cant expect people to have to accept being ripped off when one of there products is falsely advertised and fails to meet the promise they sell it with, ie that its suitable for surfing. The main reason I bought the camera was that my mate has a new olympus camera and although its great for pictures its not to great in the video department. So I thought rather than have two olympus id get one for making surfing films. It worked great from the beach, good zoom etc and good quality pics, however it just didnt meet the Waterproof and Shockproof component, leading to total failure. Now Panasonic and Camera house how much do you want to bet that your going to regret your current stance.