As the name would indicate, the SX5 is a version of the SD5 – using the same sensors and image processor, but recording to DVDs as well as the SD5's memory cards, offering support for an external microphone, and sporting a different, heftier look and feel. With a hideously protruding battery, the design changes aren't aesthetic but the camera itself is heavier, and therefore handles better. DVDs take long to finalize, and they have short recording times, requiring the user to carry large numbers of discs around. Given almost identical features, the only advantage the SX5 has is its $500 price, almost $100 cheaper than its sibling camera.



Its three 1/6-inch, 560,000 pixel, native widescreen CCD sensors give its interlaced video a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Second generation AVCHD compression algorithms drive the SX5's highest quality - 13Mbps. Compared to the SD9's 17Mbps, this camcorder's footage will exhibit more aggressive compression artifacts.



While the SX5's image quality is not bad, it cannot compete with the top HD cameras, but then again, nor should it at this price point. Its resolution and color accuracy are good, and saturation isn't terribly high, but low-light performance would have a hard time being any worse.



The optically stabilized 10x zoom lens has a maximum aperture range of F1.8 to F2.8, and a 35 mm photography equivalent range of 42.9 to 429 mm. The 2.7-inch widescreen LCD has a good 300,000 pixel resolution. The LCD has two brightness settings.



The manual controls are best in class, miles ahead of what Canon and Sony are offering – independent adjustments for shutter speed (1/60 to 1/8000), aperture (F1.8 to F16), white balance, gain and focus. Strangely missing is the virtually omnipresent exposure setting, which controls aperture and shutter speed at the same time, and suits the needs of more inexperienced users. Focus assist makes for easier focusing on the already high-resolution (by consumer standards) LCD – too bad a focus wheel wasn't included. 



A more primitive version of the SD9's 'intelligent controls' is present here, with just “Intelligent Contrast Control” answering the role call. It fiddles with the contrast, based on the type of lighting in a shot, in an attempt to preserve and enhance detail.



A single zebra pattern is available, but its IRE level goes unmentioned (it probably is 100%). Color bars can be output.



Audio features are pleasing, with a two channel microphone (the SD9 has five channels) and level controls, external mic input and a hot shoe. A zoom mic function controls how near or how far the camcorders picks up sounds. 



Photos can be captured at 1920 x 1080 resolution.



The ports provided on this camcorder are HDMI, video component, USB 2.0 and AV out.