Panasonic's latest 3CCD DVD camcorder gets 20x optical zoom

How do you improve upon a DVD-based camcorder that's already near the top of its class? If you're Panasonic, you jack up the optical zoom on the Leica lens from 10x to an impressive 20x, but hold on to the 3CCD setup that got your previous offering such rave reviews. Besides the longer zoom, the company's new VDR-D400 is almost exactly the same as its well-received VDR-D300, as both devices feature optical image stabilization, capture 3.1 megapixel stills to SD (and now SDHC) cards, and sport 2.7-inch LCD screens. The new model will initially be released in Japan on September 1st for about the same 120,000 yen ($1,050) that the D300 went for upon its debut.

[Via Fareastgizmos]

[grindboy Posted Aug 2nd 2006 1:34PM]

Its about time camera manufactorers realised we don't want digital zooms because the pixlate!!! Well done panasonic

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2006 2:28PM]

Why are so many of these cameras being made as DVD cameras and not miniDV?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2006 2:40PM]

I am surprised at the number of new and highly regarded non-HD camcorders coming out. With the huge surge in Plasma/LCD HD TV's coming out, and the buzz about HD-DVD/Blu Ray I would think the next logical step would be to make HD camcorders a standard...I am waiting for companies to take that step before i buy a new one - like I think most others would...how many people are looking to buy a high end standard DVD player right now, or how many people want an expensive SD TV with more bells and whistles?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2007 11:38AM]

Hello to everybody. I need the driver for iMAc for my panasonic vdr d400.
Cuold somebody help me please?