Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Panasonic makes great products and the new HDC-SD800K is no exception. It delivers as promised in full 1080/60p. However I give Panasonic an overall poor rating for launching this new unit without availability of key accessories. First, Panasonic has made a design change to the battery from the previous model (TM700K), and I have to admit it does perform better. However, the newly designed battery VW-VBN130 and high capacity VBN 260 are not available!! I specifically bought this camera for my son's wedding, and only have the battery that came with it. This will give me only 1hr of recording time. After corresponding about this situation with Panasonic they first told the accessory battery would not be available for several months. They then told me the battery for the TM700K would work in the 800k, so I ordered two of the VBG-260's. But guess what....Panasonic was wrong. The old model battery VBG-260 does not fit the 800K. Then, I went as far asking if they had a loaner VBN-130 or 260 to get me through the wedding, but they said, " they don't do that." So much for customer service, and being a loyal Panasonic customer (I own two Viera plasmas, cordless telephones, two blue ray players, and I thought they would have at least made an effort to help. But no. Their customer support is very inflexible and as such I got a canned response. I never would have expected this from a world class company like Panasonic). So, I then went to the internet and could not find the VBN-260, except at Amazon UK, however they wont ship to a US address. And, of course B&H has it, but they are charging full price , $168each! Second, the only way to charge the battery is while it is mounted on the camcorder, unlike the old TM700K that comes with an off-camera charger. What a design blunder. Doesn't Panasonic realize they had a great set up with the 700K? The off-camera charger made it possible to charge a spare battery while using the camcorder. And, to boot the new accessory battery charger BP20 is, guess what....also not available!! Panasonic, you have totally blown this product launch. My advice to anyone interested in this otherwise fine camcorder is to wait 4-6 months until spare batteries, and the stand alone charge is available. Amazon, you shouldn't carry a new line until CRITICAL accessories like spare batteries are available. PEOPLE, DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT NOW!!