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Panasonic's CES 2011 camcorder launch: 3D, HD, 3MOS and 1MOS all present
Panasonic already rolled out the red carpet to issue a gaggle of new cameras, but now it's time to tickle the fancy of those who prefer full motion video. The company is introducing a metric ton (we checked, trust us) of new camcorders here at CES in Las Vegas, so we'll be giving you the highlights just below. For those that yearn for more, the press releases can be peeked in full after the break. Panny's "full roster" of Full HD camcorders includes a half-dozen newcomers: the HDC-SD40, HDC-TM40, HDC-HS80, HDC-TM80, HDC-TM90 and HDC-SD9, all of which are stacked with a 1MOS sensor capable of capturing clips at 1920 x 1080. The SD90 and TM90 are even capable of shooting at 1080/60p, and if you toss on the optional CW-CLT1, you'll instantly gain the ability to record in 3D. The whole lot is designed to handle low-light scenarios like a champ, and the each feature a 28m wide-angle lens. The aforementioned power duo also have a 40x intelligent zoom, and we're told that these can withstand up to 135 minutes of continuous recording before the battery keels over. A select few also feature touch-screen operation, but absolutely none of them have a price or release date just yet. What's better than 1MOS? 3MOS, naturally. The HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900 and HDC-SD800 are also making their debut here in the desert, with 1080/60p recording, support for capturing 3D (when using the CLT1 conversion lens) and a manual ring on the TM900 and HS900. Those two also tout a 20x zoom and a 3.5-inch touchpanel, and Panny claims that these guys are good enough to handle "professional-level video shooting." The whole bunch can record to SDXC / SDHC / SD cards, while the TM900 adds 32GB of internal memory. You'll also find an optical image stabilizer, a Crystal Engine Pro processor and an Eco-Mode function on all three, while the TM900 and HS900 get gifted with five internal microphones for 5.1 recording. Per usual, your guess is as good as ours when it comes to a price and release. Bringing up the rear are a handful of SD camcorders -- the SDR-H100, the SDR-T70 and the SDR-S70 -- all of which are on the lean side and boast a 78x zoomer. These three offer a 33mm wide-angle lens, optical image stabilization and an Active mode, the latter of which helps to reduce blur when zooming. The group stores clips on SDXC / SDHC / SD, but the H100 also has an 80GB hard drive and the T70 a 4GB slab of flash memory. All three will be available in March, but pricing won't be determined until sometime next month. %Gallery-112596%
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Samsung goes bargain hunting with SMX-K40 and SMX-K45 camcorders
We've already had a look at Samsung's most interesting camcorder introduction of the day (that'd be the HMX-U10), but those looking for a more conventional alternative may take interest in one of these two. The SMX-K40 and SMX-K45 both take a different approach to capturing clips by logging them at 720 x 480 and offering users "HD upscaling" to the HDTV via HDMI. Both devices also boast a 65x optical zoom for those undercover escapades in voyeurism, while the Optical Image Stabilizer keeps things relatively shake-free. The primary difference between the two is the storage options; the K40 requires that you bring your own SD or SDHC card, while the K45 is equipped with a 32GB SSD. Both units sport 2.7-inch LCDs, USB charging and upload-to-YouTube functionality, and they'll each ship this August for $329.99 and $499.99, respectively. The full release is after the break.
Canon keeps 'em coming with six new SD camcorders
If your budget just won't stretch far enough to snap up a high-def camcorder, Canon's also got a half dozen SD versions on the horizon. Here at CES, the company is unveiling the FS22, FS21 and FS200 Flash Memory camcorders, which are up to 17% tinier than previous FS models and include up to 32GB of internal memory to complement the SDHC card slot. The DC420 and DC410 DVD camcorders should explain themselves, and looking at the ZR960 MiniDV is almost like stepping back in time. A few more details are provided in the read link, but don't bother hunting for a price or release date.%Gallery-40596%
Canon VIXIA HF11 model name turns up, imaginations run wild
Believe it or not, HF11 actually wasn't one of the many units Canon introduced at CES, but curiously enough, that moniker is showing up on the outfit's own website. When taking a peek at the Drivers & Downloads section for the DC320 DVD camcorder, you'll find a link for a PDF brochure of the VIXIA family that supposedly includes the HF11. Upon opening said file, however, you'll discover nary a mention of the mysterious item. A new model waiting just around the bend? A simple typo? A devilish trick played by the suits at Canon? The world may never know. [Thanks, Dan]
Panasonic's flash-based HDC-SD9 HD camcorder gets reviewed
Although Panasonic's HDC-SD9 is mighty, mighty small, reviewers over at CNET felt that it fell short in a number of key areas. For starters, Panny included a few quirky design choices; for instance, removing the battery requires the LCD cover to be open, but doing so can also turn the camera on unless you place it in a different mode. Granted, the minuscule size didn't leave the outfit too much to work with, but if you're easily flustered by these kinds of niggles, you can run far, far away right now. As for image quality, critics noted that still shots were marginally better than awful, but capturing full motion HD clips was something it did manage to do relatively well. Overall, no one handling this critter was enthusiastically shouting for joy when all was said and done, so do yourself a favor and eye the review down there before clicking that order button.
Panasonic unveils SDHC-lovin' AG-HMC150 HD camcorder
If you thought the HD camcorder announcements at NAB Show 2008 started and ended with Canon's new duo, you'd be sorely mistaken. Panasonic is launching a new one of its own under the limelight: the Fall-bound AG-HMC150. This handheld rig is the newest member of the AVCCAM family and can capture clips at 1,280 x 720 or 1,440 x 1,080 while utilizing the industry standard MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 compression profile. You'll also find native 16:9 1 / 3-inch 3CCD imagers, a digital signal processor with 14-bit A / D conversion and 19-bit processing, 13x Leica Dicomar zoom lens, optical image stabilization and the ability to store footage on SD / SDHC flash cards. Sure, $4,500 is still a lot of coin, but it's certainly within the realm of reason for many prosumers out there.
AgfaPhoto's DV-5000Z SDHC camcorder shoots 720p
Though not nearly as sexy (or well-spec'd, for that matter) as Sony's recently-unveiled HDR-TG1, AgfaPhoto's DV-5000Z still manages to hold its own on paper. Measuring in at 4.7- x 2.75-inches (12- x 7-centimeters) and weighing just over 7-ounces (200-grams), this HD camcorder features a 5-megapixel Micron CMOS sensor, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD, 3x optical zoom and an SD / SDHC slot to store everything on. As for shooting capabilities, it'll capture clips at 1,280 x 720 (using H.264 compression) and snag 16-bit stereo sound all the while. You'll also find USB connectivity, a rechargeable Li-ion and video out, natch. Unfortunately, there's no mention of this €249 ($393) device ever coming Stateside, but it'll be ready to roll in Russia later this month. %Gallery-20275%
Canon reveals standard definition camcorder lineup
We already spotted Canon's entirely more interesting high-definition camcorder lineup, but for those cool with doing things the SD way, the firm's got a whole slew dedicated to you. Getting things started are the flash memory-based FS11 ($599), FS10 ($499) and FS100 ($399) models, all of which include a 48x optical zoom, 1.07-megapixel CCD sensor, SDHC support and the DIGIC DV II image processor. Moving on, we've got the DC330 ($379), DC320 ($369) and DC310 ($349) DVD camcorders, which also add an SDHC expansion slot for storing photos and an LCD Video Light for "extra illumination in low light conditions." Finally, we've got the ZR950 ($279), ZR930 ($269) and ZR900 ($249) MiniDV models, which handle the basics and little more. For all the nitty-gritty, tag the read link below.
Panasonic intros SDR-SW20 / SDR-S7 SD-based camcorders
Not enough dough to snag yourself an HDD-based camcorder? No worries -- Panasonic's lookin' out for you with the introduction of two new SD-based iterations. The waterproof (up to five feet) SDR-SW20 can handle seawater and kiddie pools alike, and the rugged enclosure also resists bumps and dust. As for the ultra-compact SDR-S7, it's made for slightly gentler conditions but shares the same 10x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD monitor found on the aforementioned sibling. Best of all, both units can record to SD and SDHC, enabling users to store over 13 hours of SD content onto a 16GB SDHC card. The SW20 is set to land next month for $399.99, while the more vulnerable S7 (shown after the jump) hits in May for a C-note less.
JVC showcases HD Everio GZ-HD3 HDD / SDHC camcorder
JVC hasn't shown off any of its fancy Everio camcorders in quite awhile, but it's making a noticeable return with the HDD / SDHC-compatible GZ-HD3. This handheld camcorder does it up right with a built-in 60GB hard drive, MPEG-2 HD recording (though not Full HD, reportedly), and the ability to capture onto SD / SDHC flash cards. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of details beyond that are readily available, but while you wait patiently for a release date and price, feel free to click on for a few more glamor shots.
Exemode DV308 pocket SD camcorder / MP3 player
If you've been eyeing all these glitzy SD camcorders, but can't conjure up the coin to afford such niceties, Japan's Exemode has released the DV308 for pocket-sized recording on the cheap. While Panasonic's latest effort may sport 3CCDs, and Sanyo touts 720p, that's not the DV308's game -- with a plain 'ole 3.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the inability to play nice with SD cards over 2GB, and the not-so-legendary Japanese ODM build quality, this device provides a no frills, inexpensive way to record to SD. The biggest boon is its ability to utilize XviD compression rather than the more typical MPEG-4 / 2, which reportedly allows up to 1.5 hours of recording on a single 2GB card. An apparent last ditch effort to boost the feature set sees an MP3 player thrown into the mix, but this isn't likely to become your DAP of choice anytime soon. While you won't find stunning attributes nor remarkable storage capabilities on this SD camcorder, your wallet will greatly thank you after dropping just ¥19,800 ($171) on the DV308 in late August.[Via Impress]
