Camcorders
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Toshiba's waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150
Flip might have died an untimely death, but spring is here, the birds are chirping, and the march of vacation-ready pocket cams continues -- Toshiba just announced the Camileo BW10, whose rubberized coating makes it usable in water as deep as 6.5 feet. At $150, it's a smidge cheaper than other rugged 1080p camcorders, but then again, you'll pay a premium for models you can use in deeper water. In addition to video, it snaps 5 megapixel photos and has an SD card slot, USB port, and HDMI output, though Toshiba regrettably doesn't bundle an HDMI cable. Not a deal-breaker? You can nab one in yellow or silver on Toshiba's site today with an instant $20 rebate.
Delkin Elite 633 claims to be the fastest SDHC card with 80MBps write speeds
We can't say we're pleased that camera makers still haven't called an armistice in their megapixel war, but a race for the speediest memory card is one battle we can get behind. Delkin says its 32GB Elite 633 SDHC is the fastest in the world, with 80MBps and 95MBps write and read speeds, respectively, handily trumping Sony's new Memory Sticks that so recently impressed us. This card's ideal for people who shoot gobs of 1080p video, 3D movies, and high-resolution shots coupled with RAW files, but with a price of $440, it's only worth it for pros. And debutants.
Canon's XF305 and XF300 pro camcorders can now shoot in 3D... if you buy two of them
Make no mistake: that whole 3D-everything trend is snaking its way into professional-grade products. Canon has issued a firmware update allowing its year-old XF305 and XF300 pro camcorders to record 3D HD video. There's a catch, though: you'll need two of these bad boys, which cost a princely $8,000 and $6,700, respectively. For those with a well-stocked studio, Canon's "3D Assist Feature" aims to take some of the grunt work out of setting up two cameras to record in 3D by optically aligning their lenses and calibrating their zoom settings. The company also beefed up the scan reverse feature so that you can flip the orientation of the video to horizontal, vertical or diagonal -- a strong likelihood if you're using a 3D mirror rig. Canon slipped in a few extra goodies as well, including the ability to turn off relay recording from one memory card to another, and to simultaneously record to two memory cards, should you be paranoid about data loss. So what are you waiting for? Download the update. And, you know, get yourself a second camera.
Toshiba intros Camileo P100 and B10 pocket camcorders, strays from tried-and-true pistol grip
The seasons come and go, but Toshiba's line of Camileo pocket camcorders tend to look the same, with their pistol grips and flip-out screens. But now, Tosh is getting ready to ship two new models in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and one of them, at least, takes the company's design in a different direction. The B10 camcorder has a candy bar shape with a front-facing lens -- much like the Flip camcorders that kicked off the pocket cam craze in the first place. The B10 shoots at Full HD resolution, snaps 16 megapixel stills, has 16X digital zoom, and takes SDXC cards as large as 64GB. Prefer the ole' pistol grip? The P100 boasts the same specs and adds 5X optical zoom -- still a rarity in inexpensive pocket cams. Toshiba hasn't announced pricing yet, though the two will go on sale sometime in the second quarter. In the meantime, check out the press release for more deets.
Philips' new camcorder comes with 23x zoom and WiFi, but no price or release date
Philips makes plenty of audio / video equipment for use when consuming our content, but until now, the company didn't offer many options on the creating end. Well, Philips fanboys (they exist, don't they?), take a gander at your next must-buy purchase -- the ESee HD camcorder touts a 23x zoom, 1080p recording to an SD card, touchscreen viewfinder (of unknown size), WiFi for uploading vids (so as not to keep fans waiting for your next cinematic masterpiece), and an audio zoom feature. Yeah, a zoom for your audio. Details about pricing and availability are nowhere to be found, but not knowing makes you want it all the more, right? [Thanks, Jakob]
LG Optimus 2X 1080p video surfaces, captures a slow day at the docks
Since we reported that the Tegra 2-based LG Optimus 2X was slated to hit Korea and Europe this month, we've been dying to check out its 1080p video recording capability. Lucky for us, someone in Greece has uploaded a video to YouTube that was apparently recorded on the smartphone, and the results, well, decide for yourself. While we're impressed by the video quality (digital zoom excepted) the subject matter leaves something to be desired: a shaky camera slowly pans a port full of docked fishing boats. Sure, we'd like to see some more action, but this sample still has us excited about getting our hands on our very own Optimus 2X. HD video after the jump.
ViewSonic announces ViewFun 3D camcorder line, hopes we won't notice a bit of re-branding
3D technology's inevitable race to the bottom officially kicked off today with ViewSonic's announcement of its new ViewFun line. The Palm 3D HD was the priciest item shared thanks to its ability to record full HD 1080p in 3D or 2D at 60fps. Some of its other notable features include a rechargeable Li-ion battery, an SD slot for expandable storage, and a 3.2-inch LCD screen which uses parallax technology to display 3D video without wearing glasses. If you can't afford to spend $250, ViewSonic also announced the ViewFun 3D Pocket, ViewFun 3D PocketHD, and ViewFun 3D Snap Pocket camcorders for $149, $179, and $199. The thing is the ViewFun 3D PocketHD isn't really new, and we still remember when it was called the 3DV5 earlier this year; so unless you're desperate to spend under $180 on a 3D camcorder, we'd wager Sony's new 3D Bloggie Touch line is a smarter use of funds. %Gallery-113192%
JVC announces the GS-TD1 full HD 3D consumer camcorder, we go hands on
2011 is shaping up to be the year consumer-grade 3D camcorders take off. Now JVC is in the mix with its new GS-TD1 full HD 3D camcorder which it touts as a world first. Thanks to twin 3D HD GT lenses, two 3.32 megapixel CMOS sensors and a newly announced Falconbrid 3D image chip, the device can record both left and right streams of 1920 x 1080i simultaneously. It also features 5x zoom and 64GB of flash memory that can be expanded via an SD card slot. Besides the full HD mode, the camera supports the more common side-by-side format AVCHD 3D as well as AVCHD 2D. For better in-field review, the device packs a 3.5-inch glasses free 3D touch panel screen. Outside of 3D video, the camera is additionally equipped to record so-called 3D sound using BIPHONIC sound processing. Pricing is pegged at just under $2,000 and is expected to be available for purchase this March. For the full details check out the PR after the break. %Gallery-113043%
Sony announces 3D Handycam, projector HandyCams, boring HandyCams (update: hands-on video!)
Sony has revealed a slew of new camcorders touting cutting-edge specs. While three 3D camcorders were announced, the HDR-TD10 is the flagship model and is touted by Sony as the world's first "Double Full HD" 3D consumer camcorder thanks to its double Sony G lenses, double "Exmor R" CMOS image sensors, and double BIONZ image processors. The camera also sports 3.5-inch Xtra Fine LCD 3D touch screen that enables users to view 3D footage sans glasses. Storage-wise, the unit will ship with 64GB of flash memory and hit shelves this April for around $1,500. Sony also introduced three Handycam models featuring video projectors built-in to their 3-inch flip-out LCD panels which can display footage in sizes of 60 inches diagonally from 18ft. away. When combined with the integrated stereo speakers with so-called Clear Phase and S-master digital amplifiers, these cameras are designed to provide an ideal playback experience without a TV. The HDR-PJ50V features the largest amount of storage in the series with a 220GB hard drive and will be available this April for $1000. The 32 GB HDR-PJ30V and 16GB HDR-PJ10 will be available slightly later in March for $950 and $700 respectively. Rounding out the camcorder news is the HDR-CX700V video enthusiast-level unit, featuring a 16:9 Exmor R CMS image sensor, wide angle Sony G lens, and 60p/24p recording. This unit will ship with 96GB of flash memory and also be available in March for about $1,300. The reality is that these models are just the tip of the Sony Camcorder announcement iceberg though, so for all the details feel free to read the PR below and browse through the gallery. %Gallery-112825% %Gallery-112849% %Gallery-112861%
Zoom Q3HD Handy Video Recorder boasts 1080p and stereo microphones
Zoom has just outed a new little camcorder, the Q3HD Handy Video Recorder. This little guy, in addition to boasting 1080p capabilities (at 30 frames per second) and 720p at 60 frames per second, also packs 4x digital zoom, a 2.4-inch color LCD, NTSC/PAL TV and HDMI outputs, and USB 2.0. Most interestingly, of course, the Q3HD Handy has built-in stereo microphones, so the camera should provide much better audio than your standard affair. There's no word on availability or pricing yet.
Samsung's HMX-T10 HD camcorder features a new perspective
Samsung's oddly angled camcorders have gotten plenty of love around these parts for their design and specs, and the new HMX-T10 series is no different. Separating itself from last year's HMX-R10 with a revised design and lens angled 20-degrees (instead of 25), these camcorders can still capture video at up to 1920x1080/60i and stills at up to 4.7 megapixels, while you frame the action on the 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD. Add in optical image stabilization, 10x zoom and the aforementioned full HD capture with a $299 pricetag and you have a healthy competitor to the alternative of the shakycam footage your cellphone probably spits out when these reach the shelves in September. Check the specs in the press release after the break, and shots from every angle of models in black and white paintjobs in the gallery.%Gallery-101093%
Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)
Never mind the extensive leaks, Panasonic, you've got a right to be proud about the HDC-SDT750. After crowing about its end-to-end 3D experience, Panasonic has finally made its HDC-SDT750 camcorder official, which looks like it will be the first of its kind to hit the market. Sure, this is just a baby step: the 3D mode is enabled by snapping on an included 3D conversion lens that splits the image in twain to be recorded as right and left images by the standard 1080p sensor. That means each side will only be 960 x 1080, so you can't quite shoot Avatar in your backyard just yet, but it should look fine on standard 3D televisions. Unfortunately, you can't do much more with the 3D video right now other than pump it out over HDMI straight from the camera -- at least with the 3D stills that you can snap you can load them onto an SD card and play them off of AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray players. Still, these are exciting times to be alive, and you can always shoot in 2D with the no-doubt great 3MOS camcorder underneath (which seems to be very similar to the HDC-HS700) while you wait for the rest of the planet to catch up. The SDT750 will be out in October for a hefty $1,399 asking price. PR is after the break. Update: The "after the break" lounge has now also been enriched with some video of the SDT750's official unveiling [Thanks, Jan].%Gallery-98342%
Panasonic's new HM-TA1 and HDC-SDX1 'budget' camcorders attack the concept from very different ends
Let's just put it out on the table: the Flip-inspired HM-TA1 ($169, left) and the ultra traditional (though delightfully mini) HDC-SDX1 ($499) are very different cameras. But are they $330 different? You be the judge. The 1080p-shooting TA1 is nothing surprising if you've seen any recent portrait-style pocket camcorders from Flip or Kodak, though it has a quality build and friendly interface. It also records to Apple's 960 x 540 iFrame format, and can double as a USB webcam. As an added bonus, it's rather small for its category, a distinction shared by the flip-out-LCD ultra zoom HDC-SDX1, which Panasonic calls the world's lightest full HD AVCHD camcorder. Outside of that fancy codec and the 2.7-inch flip-out LCD, the SDX1 actually sounds a lot like the TA1 on paper, with the same webcam and iFrame features -- both cameras also are bring-your-own-SD-card for storage. Obviously the image quality should be a decent step up, and the 23x zoom (paired with optical image stabilization) bests the TA1's 4x digital zoom easily, but we're wondering how consumers will feel about these widely disparate price tags when the TA1 lands in August and the SDX1 follows in September. PR is after the break. %Gallery-98334% %Gallery-98336% %Gallery-98339%
Toshiba Camileo S20 review
Say what you will, but Toshiba has managed to time the Camelio S20 just right -- it was the very same day that our Flip Slide HD frustrations were reaching epic levels, that the $179.99 pocket camcorder showed up on our doorstep. The thin cam, which can shoot full 1080p and capture stills with its 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, just became available in the US earlier this month, and for the price we've actually been blown away by all of the features it boasts in comparison to the competition. So, did the Camelio S20 turn around our pocket cam woes? Jump on past the break for our full review of Tosh's latest camcorder contender. %Gallery-91271%
Sanyo Xacti GH2, CG102, CG20 preview: full-HD cams for less than $230
We caught up with Sanyo and its recently announced, sub-$230 GH2, CG102 and CG20 high-def camcorders this morning, and have to say the company has done it again. While we didn't have enough time to test the video quality, for less than 300 bucks you sure can get a compact and solid feeling cam, regardless of which model your big heart desires. We're especially taken with the CG102 and GH2, which are virtually the same, only housed in two different form factors. Both record full HD 1080i60 videos, have 14 megapixel still cams and Sanyo's 12x "double-range zoom," which lets you switch between a wide-angle and telephoto zoom when shooting vids. Cleverly, the horizontally-built GH2 -- which can be ordered with an expansion lens -- now has two sets of record / stop controls for those that tend to hold the cam in different ways; one set is on the top and the other on the inside of the LCD pane. Those that don't want to shell out the extra $30 for the vertical CG102 can grab the $199 CG20, but keep in mind that it drops you down to 10 megapixels and nixes the dual zoom function. We're looking forward to thoroughly testing one of the $229 units in due time, but for now you can check out their sleek bods and buttons in the hands-on gallery below. %Gallery-88953%
New Flip cams to launch in early April?
The details are slim to none on this one, but we're all about a good pocket cam rumor. According to the usually-reliable Business Insider Cisco will launch a new set of Flip camcorders around the NAB show which runs from April 12-15, but we don't have any specs yet. Come on Cisco, now you've got us guessing not only about the future of the Internet, but also if your newest Flip will support 1080p. Told you we didn't know much, but we'll obviously be keeping an eye out for more.
Panasonic's new AVCHD camcorders put that SDXC memory to good use
So, you've sold a few kidneys and got yourself one of those fancy new 64GB SDXC cards. What do you put it in? Well, how about one of these new HDC-series camcorders from Panasonic? Just launched in Japan, the three cameras shoot 1080i HD with 25x optical zoom, optical image stabilization and 2.7-inch flip-out LCDs. The big difference between the AVCHD shooters is the onboard storage, with 96GB of flash in the HDC-TM70, 64GB in the HDC-TM60, and a 160GB HDD in the HDC-HS60. Of course, who needs internal storage when you've got 64GB in your SD card and a terrible, well-compensated empty feeling in your gut? No word on price for this trio, but they should be out in Japan later next month.
Samsung's camcorders and one big dummy camera at CES
Right after seeing the ultra-slim TVs we went to the other end of Samsung's CES booth for its camcorder lineup. As expected, we saw the previously-announced S series SSD models, the F series with 52x optical zoom and the stylish C series, but we also spotted what appears to be a refresh of the HMX-U10 camcorder brick. Admittedly, we were more interested in this dummy gigantic TL225 camera, and it wasn't even new. %Gallery-82132%
Sony's camera and camcorder lineup spotted at CES (video)
We swung by Sony's gloomy CES booth to check out their new camcorders and cameras for 2010. Fresh on the Handycam menu were the SDHC-loving CX and XR series camcorders (pictured above), and we saw some nice demos of their Optical SteadyShot (mesmerizing video after the break) and wide angle G lens. The tapeless AX2000 professional video camera was also present further down the table, sporting dual memory card slots. On the other table we encountered the Bloggie and the rest of the 2010 Cyber-shot lineup in several colors. Aww, what a sweet family. %Gallery-82133%
Panasonic unleashes seven new point and shoots, plethora of camcorders
It's official: Panasonic's just confirmed all those cams we saw leaked a few days back (and added a few more). On offer, its got the Lumix FS33 and FS30, both 14 megapixel affairs with 8x image-stabilized zoom lenses, HD video recording at 720p. The FS33 boasts a 3-inch touchscreen display while the FS30 has a 2.7-inch LCD. Next up are the slim FP1, FP2 and FP3. The FP1 is a 12 megapixel cam, while the FP2 and FP3 are both 14 megapixels. All three have 4x image-stabilized zoom lenses, and the FP3's got a 3-inch touchscreen, and the FP2 and FP3 boast 2.7-inch LCDs. Finally we've got the FS10 and FS11, both packing 8mm wide angle 5x zoom lenses. The FS10's got a 12 megapixel sensor, while the FS11's got a 14 megapixel sensor. No details on pricing or availability yet. Hit the read more to hear all about the camcorder action and to see a very busy gallery of photos.
