Photos: Hands-on with the Panasonic HDC-SD5

Another interesting feature is intelligent contrast control, which measures ambient light intensity and adjusts contrast accordingly. This is designed to prevent blown-out highlights in bright parts of an image and black-outs in shadowy parts.

We'll be testing this function in our full review, heading your way fast, quick, lickety-split. The Panasonic HDC-SD5 is available now for just under £600.