Granted, Toshiba Imaging's IK-HD1 3CCD HDTV Camera may not matter much to the consumer as-is, but we're all about the progress. Ready to make its grand, er, wee entrance at NAB Show later this month, the aforementioned unit touts the planet's "smallest" HD camera head (1.6-inches; 2.3-ounces), which should give program producers in tight spots one less reason to not capture content in high-def. In that vein, Tosh even notes that its ability to capture at 1,920 x 1,080 at 30fps makes it "highly suitable for reality TV (you getting this, producers?), specialty broadcast, sports, news and commercials." We know, this totally opens the door for an HD version of Punk'd, but hey, you can't win 'em all.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

You can add one more "full HD" AVCHD camcorder to that mix of Panasonics announced earlier in the week. The new HDC-SD7 is said to be the "world's smallest and lightest" camcorder to record at 1,920 x 1,080 to SDHC cards. Otherwise, the SD7 is spec-for-spec the same 3CCD camcorder as the HDC-SD5 only in a vertically-held format. Just be careful what you ask for folks: that reduced chassis size comes at the expense of a cut in sensor sizes and drop in optical zoom from 12x to 10x when compared to Panny's earlier HDC-DX3 and HDC-SD3 models. Unfortunately, the HDC-SD7 looks to be Japan-only for now with a September 8 launch for ¥140,000 or about $1,188 with tax.

Panasonic just announced the availability of their HDC-SX5 and HDC-SD5 3CCD AVCHD camcorders for the North American and European markets. Just for the sake of confusion, these appear to be the exact same cameras already announced for Japan under the HDC-DX3 and HDC-SD3 models. As such, we're still looking at 1920 x 1080 recordings direct to SDHC cards (the SD5) or to 8-cm DVDs (the SX5) with built-in optical image stabilization. The only real news then is the date: September 2007 for an undisclosed price though likely around $1,200 (including tax) like their Japanese brethren.

Update: Ah, found the differences: the SX5 and SD5 are about 20% smaller and lighter than their DX3 and SD3 cousins.

Read -- HDC-SX5
Read -- HDC-SD5

JVC is bringing more of that 3-CCD goodness this morning by coming clean with the specs of their high-def, GZ-HD3 camcorder. The latest HD Everio trims some 27% of the bulk from their GZ-HD7 while offering much of the same features albeit, at a lower resolution. We're talking up to 5-hours of 1,440 x 1,080 / 30Mbps recordings direct to internal 60GB hard disk. You can also record up to 5-hours in a 1440CBR mode for easy editing with your HDV-compatible software. Otherwise, you're stuck with the bundled CyberLink BD software. Rounding out the features are a Konica Minolta HD lens, digital image stabilization, JVC's HD Gigabrid image processing, 2.8-inch LCD, HDMI-out, built-in light, PC-less archiving over USB to Everio Share Stations, and support for SDHC (Class 6) recordings in SP mode (1,440 x 1,080 at 22Mbps). Expected to hit US shores for $1,300 sometime in September.

[Via Impress]

AVCHD isn't just for the consumer kiddies anymore, Panasonic just announced its upcoming AG-HSC1U, which Panny claims is the world's smallest 3CCD professional HD camcorder. There's not much denying this thing is small -- a mere 1.12 pounds -- but we're having trouble pinning down the "pro" features on this thing. The main difference, other than the slick grey / black paint job, is the inclusion of a 40GB HDD with the package, which can offload video off of the included 4GB SDHC card to let you keep on shooting. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you can record straight to the hard drive, a feature found on some higher-end HD cameras. Most everything else sounds pretty familiar, like the three 1/4-inch 16:9 CCDs, since it's all in the AG-HSC1U's "consumer" counterpart, the HDC-SD1, though the HSC1U does bump the aperture to f/1.8. The good news is that Panasonic's pricetag isn't too outlandish: a mere $600 more than the SD1 -- a lot to pay for a 40GB HDD, but not too bad for a pro HD cam, whatever that means.

[Thanks, Randall]

Panasonic is giving a bump to their 3CCD line-up of cams this morning with the introduction of their VDR-D310 and NV-GS320 models. The VDR-D310 records to DVD-R DL in addition to the usual DVD-R/RW/RAM formats for up to 138 minutes of recordings. The NV-GS320 records to miniDV tape. Both models shoot 3.1 megapixel pictures and feature a 2.7-inch LCD and 10x optical zoom lens supported by Panny's MEGA optical image stabilization to keep the bur to a minimum. Each camera also shoots pictures directly to SDHC although only the GS320 can record video to the new SD 2.0 card format. They hit later this month in Japan with the the VDR-D310 going for about ¥95,000 ($798) while the NV-GS320 should demand only ¥75,000 ($630). See the NV-GS320 after the break.

[Via Impress]

Well hello Mr. high-definition Everio, nice to finally see you in the fo' realz. Oh sure, it's still a prototype but at least it's a working prototype instead of just marketing images. Even though it's on display right now at CEATEC in Japan, JVC is playing coy with important details like disk capacity and format those 3 CCDs will record to. Still, it's good to see that FUJINON lens glinting under the tradeshow lighting don't you think? Oh hey, is that an HDMI jack... sure is. A few more snaps after the break courtesy of Impress.

It looks like the good 'ole USofA is getting some pocket camcorder loving from Panasonic today, as they announced the forthcoming SDR-S150 SD, which is (as far as we can tell) an Americanized version of its SDR-S200. This device picks up where the SDR-S100 left off, and makes good on the prior limitations while coming in at a (slightly) more manageable price. Sporting that oh-so-spectacular triple CCD, this handy recorder will accept any normal SD card, but ups the ante by playing nice with those capacious SDHC. If you tend to get nervous holding a $1,000 device in the palm of your hand, Panasonic helps steady the situation by including optical image stabilization to accompany the 10x optical zooming Leica Dicomar lens. Utilizing typical MPEG-2 compression, this unit touts its ability to store "up to 3 hours 20 minutes" on a single 4GB SDHC card, but you get stuck with a "measly" 2GB SD card out of the box. So if you're looking for a pocket-sized SD camcorder that won't run out of storage before your battery craps out (and you're willing to fork out for that 4GB card), you can track down the SDR-S150 SD in September for $999.95.

[Photo courtesy of SwiatObrazo]

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]

That didn't take long. Hot on the heels of their SDHC card announcement, Panasonic brings us their SDR-S200 3CCD video camera capable of recording MPEG-2 video directly to their new 4GB SDHC cards. And that trio of 1/6-inch CCDs will shoot 3.1 megapixel stills to boot. This followup to the SDR-S100, features the same 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, and 2.8-inch LCD, but measures in just a touch heavier and hair bigger – still tiny though by camcorder standards. So all you're really getting is a doubling (for now) of recording capacity -- up to 3.5 hours or a scant 50 minutes if you're after the cams top quality. Still with higher capacity SDHC cards on the horizon (up to 32GB theoretically), at least the S200 won't suffer that 2GB capacity cap like the S100. Expected in Japan starting next month for about ¥100,000 or close to $882.

[Via Impress]

If you're one of those taken-in by the convenience of direct-to-DVD camcorderin' then listen up! DigitalTrends has a review of the Panasonic VDR-D300 video camera which they call the "best DVD camcorder" they've ever tested. Those "superb" videos and "quite good" 3.1 megapixel stills were no doubt aided by the trio of CCDs the D300 packs, in addition to the Mega Optical Image Stabilization which adjusts the 10x Leica Dicomar lens to reduce jitter without impacting video quality. Wind noise was however, a problem as was the battery which didn't quite live-up to its 85 minute rating. And at close to $1000 MSRP, you'll have a tough choice between this and the Sony DCR-SR100 hard disk-based camcorder we saw reviewed yesterday for about the same outlay of green. Of course, you can always wait for the award winning JVC GZ-MG505 which promises 3CCDs and HDD recording for the best of both worlds.

We have to admit we did a double-take when we saw the JVC Everio G GZ-MG505 on the TIPA Awards web site. It's not that the video camera, with 3CCDs, a 30GB hard drive and 5 megapixel resolution doesn't sound sweet. It definitely does. Problem is, it doesn't seem to exist -- at least not yet. We can only assume that the team at TIPA got a glance at an early pre-production unit, and just liked it so much that they handed over the award on the spot. Regardless, merging the 3CCD imaging system found on the GZ-MC500 with the high-capacity hard drive found on some of JVC's 1CCD models seems like a no-brainer. But we won't be giving any awards until we're sure this thing is for real.