Panasonic gearing up to reveal consumer-level 3D camcorder?
By Darren Murph 
posted July 22nd 2010 9:37PM
posted July 22nd 2010 9:37PM
You won't be coloring us shocked if this plays out exactly as rumored, but word on the street has it that Panasonic will be busting out a consumer-level 3D camcorder as early as next week. 'Course, this is a company that already has a built-to-order 3D camcorder available to those with just over 20 large in need of a new home, and with the 3D push happening at a breakneck pace, it was just a matter of time before one of the big boys came along and served up an option for the Average Joe / Jane. Specifics on the device -- which will be "shown at a Tokyo news conference scheduled for July 28" -- are few and far between, but we're hearing that it'll be "about the same size as a conventional consumer-use camcorder," will integrate a pair of lenses (like so) in the front and will ring up at "far less" than professional models.
Every consumer ever gearing up to kill themselves when pushed on one more useless 3d product.
@Daverator
Well, eventually TVs will display 3D without the need of 3D glasses.
If a parent wanted to record their child's first steps ... perhaps they would like to have it recorded in 3D now for when that time occurs.
@Meekermoloko how many parents are going to be spending $20000 on a video camera with 1/4 inch chips.
@dswatson83
The future? But they should keep working on this, at 20 grand, I don't see them selling more than 100. New car or gimmicky overpriced camera. Hmm
@Scrubs how is a camera that you have to spend 20 grand on a 'consumer-level' camcorder?
@dswatson83
I'll cut out the other stuff that you don't need to read:
"...and will ring up at "far less" than professional models."
@Daverator Agreed, there are reports in the medical community that found 3-d for long periods of time (several hours a day) ie normal amounts for typical American households, to damage brain function. Specifically depth perception etc...
@Daverator Just about everyone is having a reading comprehension issue here. Panasonic already has a $20K camcorder out (in their professional line). This article is mentioning that they will be releasing a consumer model, with a consumer price.
I can has amateur 3d porno?
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
Oh the possibility. Still, there's too much requirement for 3D viewing.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget YES WE CAN!
@cdf74dc9 If you are alone and jerking off, no one is going to care if you are wearing goofy ass glasses.
what are all the fools with 3d TV's in 5 years going to think with this fad is through?
@rmbrown09
buy other fads like crocs
I'll try again
my new song titled "Please don't rank me down"
Please don't rank me down, cause I'm trying, I'm trying, but i'm just not funny.
Please don't rank me down, I'm trying, to be funny.
@Mr Hett go troll somewhere else.
3d mapping is more sinister or functional depending on who you ask. Massive correlation is a fact, adding the offset will allow a faster dive into the ability to model and measure (but I won't say predict) reality and interactions. 'Entertainment' is a distraction, although eventually it can become a sinister or functional replacement for so many things.
Wake Up panasonic, this 3d thing is a joke. I doubt they sell more than a handful of these. It's not good enough for pros and too expensive for prosumers.
I don't care, I think a 3D camera would be cool to own.
Sometimes I think the people in this place don't actually like gadgets.
It would be heaps of fun trying to make the most of 3D in your holiday videos, and 3D videos and photos of your kids when they are young would be very powerful.
The only thing I object to with the current 3D tech is the price of the headsets. Knock that down to something where you can afford to have half a dozen of them and we're in business.
That thing looks hilarious. Reminds me of a cross between a camcorder and Johhny #5 from Short Circuit.
Still very cool though...
- AdamZ
I thought this was binocular...
Went to a Panasonic demo for this and it was weak. There is another model coming, they said, with larger chips in it. The larger consumer displays looked good but the effect and the glasses get old really quick. The pro display was terrible, it allows very slim angle deviation from center and the effect is lost. Very meh and still a gimmick. One day, when you don't need glasses for it...shure.
This is very cool...But why can't I get a couple cheep digital cameras with LANC ports to create high quality stills anymore? Seriously. That sucks.
Back in the day you could get two cameras, slave them to a single controller and make 10MP(2x5) stereoscopic images. You just mounted them on a bar, so you could select the depth and bam...perfection. The slave unit would make both cameras shoot exactly the same. It's a shame that when the 3D revolution is happening the gear of the day won't let you make high quality images.
I want to invade the dreams of the CEOs for all the big brands and implant an idea that 3D is shit and they should stop wasting time on it.
@Pearl Jam
Engadget is a great place to observe how a meme can be implanted in the readers heads, and everyone ends up thinking and posting the same thing.
Oh man, I can't wait for a bunch of people to buy this with a whole 3d tv and sound experience then wake up the next day feeling like an abused whore. That'll be awesome.
Wow, stereoscopic images. That is so 19th century.
Give me higher-quality HD digital cameras. There's so much that could be done to improve them and 3D is just a big distraction.
Is it me, or does that resemble a high tech pic snort?.....
If it dose not do HD, then no use.. if yes, tell me price
So when do we get 3D cameras with more than stereoscopic lenses? Can't we just go full on with 10 lenses right away and prepare for semi-holographic view that shows you new angles based on what angle you view from?
Wall-E!!!!!!!!!
form factor could also be Johnny-Five.