Panasonic HDC-DX1: High Definition DVD Camcorder

High-definition video cameras deliver incredibly realistic images that draw the viewer into an exciting new world, and proprietary Panasonic technologies have reached new heights in HD quality. The beautiful images recorded by a Panasonic high-definition video camera will bring back the emotion of the moment again and again, even years from now. A new peak in HD image quality. Experience it in DVD or SD/SDHC Memory Card style.

Easy-to-use DVDs
There's no need to find blank disc space, so you can start shooting right away, and it's easy to play or edit the results right on the camera.

High-definition recording on 8 cm DVD discs in AVCHD format
In the AVCHD format you can record onto a RAM, RW, R, or R-DL (Dual Layer) disc and get up to about 60 minutes* of continuous recording.

DVD discs allow easy, convenient archiving
The discs are easy to store and manage, save space, and can be played on a Blu-ray Disc player.

HD Recording : 1440 x 1080i
Rec. Media :Movie: DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL, Stills: SD / SDHC (SDHC 4GB Compatiable)

- 3CCD Camera System
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Leica Dicomar Lens (with Low dispersion glass)
- 12x Optical Zoom
- 3.0 inches Wide LCD
- 5.1ch Surround (5ECM Mic)
- HDMI Connection (cable optional)
- AVCHD

Buy a Panasonic HDC-DX1 Hi-Definition 3CCD, DVD-RAM Camcorder, Leica Dicomar Lens, 12x Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilizer, 3.0" LCD Screen

Via CDFreaks

Toshiba Camileo H20 review

UK-based site Unbeatable reviewed the Toshiba Camileo H20 and gave it an overall rating of 8/10.

The Toshiba H20 has some great features including a 5MP CMOS Sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens and 4x digital zoom, Video Stabilisation, Red-eye Reduction, Scene Support; Auto, Skin, Night, Backlight, Black/White, Classic and Negative. A high definition resolution of 1440x1080 comes extremely close to the usual high definition resolution and records at 30fps. Connectivity is very good with a USB port, hidden behind the flip screen, a HDMI output and a mini-jack.

Buy a Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

Panasonic Launches HDC-SD10, HDC-TM10 HD Camcorders

Models HDC-SD10 ($550 suggested retail) and HDC-TM10 ($600) are both slated to ship to dealers in September. Both weigh in at half a pound and offer FullHD 1080p resolution and 16-times optical zoom magnification.

Both models also use SDHC/SD memory cards to capture recordings, but the step-up HDC-TM10 adds “Twin Memory,” meaning it also has 8GB of internal flash memory.

Panasonic's Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) in the zoom function is said to detect and correct for hand shake around 4,000 times per second for clear, stable zoom shots.

A new Active mode extends the hand-shake correction to compensate for bumps and jumps while walking or moving during shooting.

The TM10 will be available in black and silver models, with the SD10 in black only.

Via twice.com

DXG-567V gets another poor rating

Macworld editor Christopher Breen reviewed the DXG-567V and said:

Pocket camcorders have made shooting high-definition video affordable for just about everyone. Of course, there are compromises. [...] no image stabilization or optical zoom and their performance in all lighting environments is hardly perfect. Still, these cameras produce a decent picture under typical outdoor lighting conditions.

The same can not be said, however, for today’s least-expensive HD pocket camcorder, DXG’s DXG-567V. This pocket camcorder, which retails for around $100, is pretty awful. Before I describe the depths of its awfulness, here are its specs.

Like the Kodak Zi6 and Flip Ultra, it runs off two AA batteries, which is convenient if you’re out and about and the camera runs out of juice. And, like the Zi6, it stores its video on an SD card. Again, another convenience as you’re not limited to an hour’s worth of shooting as you are with the Flip and Creative cameras. The DXG camcorder is about the same size as the Kodak camcorder, meaning that it’s bulkier than the Flip or Vado. It also uses the same kind of joystick control found on the Zi6.

Even at a hundred dollars, the DXG-567V HD camcorder is no bargain.

Buy a Kodak Zi6 HD Pocket Video Camera

Via macworld

Sony HDR-TG5 Handycam

Sony is claiming it has broken its own record by replacing its smallest hi-def handycam with an even smaller one.

The Sony HDR-TG5 Handycam, available from the 1st of July, is so tiny it will slip into a pocket.

Sony reckons, however, that no performance or functional compromise has been made to shrink it to size. In fact, it has a 16GB internal memory which can store up to six-and-a-half hours of HD movies, and up to 13 hours when the optional 16GB Memory Stick is also used.

Other new features include an optional wide-angle conversion lens for panoramic landscape shots, built-in GPS antenna and digital maps that allow users to tag their videos and photos.

Buy a Sony HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with Built-in GPS Receiver and 10x Optical Zoom

The HDR-TG5 has a 4.0 megapixel camera for still shots, and includes camera technology such as face recognition and “Smile Shutter”, which automatically snaps shots of people when they are smiling.

The HDR-TG5 comes in a high quality, streamlined, scratch-resistant titanium design, and will retail for $1499 exclusively at Sony Style stores.

Via Tone.co.nz

OmniVision Launches 9 Megapixel 1080p HD Sensor

Featuring OmniVision's high-sensitivity 1.75 micron OmniPixel3-HS architecture, the OV9810 delivers low-light sensitivity at 960mV/lux-sec, giving it a significant edge over competing sensors, the company noted. The OmniPixel3-HS architecture is OmniVision's most advanced generation of front side illumination pixel architectures to date, providing enhanced image capture under very low lighting conditions. The low-power, high-performance OV9810 provides the full functionality of a single-chip camera in a small footprint package (10 X 10 mm). The 1/2.3-inch OV9810 is capable of operating at 8.9 frames per second (fps) in full 9 megapixel resolution, and offers true HD quality (1080p) video at 30 fps.

Via AdvancedImagingPro.com

Top 5 Camcorders for Dad

PRWeb discusses the top 5 HD camcorders you could buy for your dad on father's day, these would be the Canon VIXIA HF200, Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1, Flip Video Ultra HD, Sony HDR-CX12 and the Canon VIXIA HV40.

"It's hard to imagine a better Father's Day gift for dad than preserving family memories with a cool new gadget. A new high definition video camera is the perfect complement to the HDTV and Blu-ray player that mysteriously showed up in the living room last year. This year's digital camcorders offer ultimate portability, full high definition recording (1080p), face tracking, and automatic smile detection. Choosing the best camcorder can be difficult, and June 21st is just around the corner, so to simplify your decision here are 5 of the best camcorders for dads."

Buy Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with 15x Optical Zoom
Buy Canon VIXIA HV40 HD HDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Buy Sanyo VPC-FH1 HD 1080p Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 16x advance zoom (Black)
Buy Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Memory Stick PRO Duo Handycam Camcorder With 12x Optical Zoom

Via PRWeb

Canon Legria HF S10 reviewed

Chris Jager (Good Gear Guide) says:

The Canon Legria HF S10 is a flash memory–based Full HD camcorder equipped with 32GB of inbuilt storage. It replaces the Canon HF11 as the company’s flagship consumer-level camcorder — which arguably makes it the new benchmark for high-definition video. (After all, the HF11 was one of the best camcorders of its generation). The Canon Legria HF S10 gave a solid all-round performance and comes with some useful features on board, including a new Video Snapshot mode, a revamped user interface and a wealth of manual controls.

However, with an RRP of $2499, the Canon Legria HF S10 will sadly be out of reach for many consumers — especially in these economically uncertain times. Nevertheless it remains a suburb video camera for those that can afford it; be they die-hard videographers or cashed-up novices. If only it were a little bit cheaper...

Via PCWorld Australia

Sanyo VPC-WH1 waterproof HD camcorder reviewed

Geek.com and PCPro have reviews of the Sanyo VPC-WH1, let's see what they say.

Geek.com: First off, this VPC-WH1 shoots 1280×720 HD video at 30fps. That means all your underwater video is going to look very good (compared to what’s out there at this level) on both Vimeo and YouTube–providing you have great lighting to accompany you. The VPC-WH1 does not have a video light of any sort, so that means that some of your images may turn out a bit noisy. In this case, Sanyo’s 3D DNR image noise reduction technology won’t be able to help you because the image becomes softer: meaning that whatever you shoot underwater in theory will look even softer than it already might. Additionally, the 2.5-inch LCD (not very high resolution) might not be able to help you out very well. Once again though, we haven’t tried it yet, but I’d recommend finding good lighting.

PCPro: Sanyo's VPC-WH1 isn't your average camcorder, however. It's completely sealed against the elements, and not just showerproof, but completely waterproof to a depth of 10m. So the next time you go swimming with dolphins, paddling in the sea at Scarborough or windsurfing in Waikiki you can commit the whole thing to video without having to worry about your technology giving up the ghost.

It's no empty claim either. The WH1 is officially rated to IPX8, which means it can be completely immersed "beyond 1m" and we proved this by dunking it in a sink and a pond while filming with no ill effect. Naturally, all the ports and flaps are sealed with rubber gaskets and lock tightly closed, while the lens is covered.

Buy a Sanyo VPC-WH1 HD Waterproof Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 30x Optical Zoom (Yellow)

Via Geek.com, PCPro UK

RCA Small Wonder EZ300HD reviewed

The highlights here are a 720p (1280x720) HD shooting mode, a 2.4-inch LCD with "improved viewing in bright sunlight," and a swiveling lens that gives you more flexibility when shooting. The 2GB of built-in memory gives you one hour of recording time in HD mode or six hours of recording time in the lower-resolution YouTube capture mode. The EZ300HD is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and its memory can be expanded by purchasing a higher-capacity SD card.

Buy RCA EZ300HD Small Wonder High Definition Digital Camcorder (Black)

Via CNet

RCA Small Wonder EZ300HD

The EZ300HD has a 2.4" LCD, matching the screen size of Zi6, but noticeably larger than the Mino. As for capacity, the RCA and Flip Mino both have 2GB while the Zi6 lets down with just 32MB internal memory despite of its SDHC slot. Only the Mino is USB rechargeable out of the three. Kodak Zi6 needs two AAs, and the EZ300HD has its own proprietary Li-ion battery. Unique to the Small Wonder are a flip-out lens for self-recording and a built-in HDMI connection. We aren't sure though which one is optimized for low-lighting.

Buy RCA EZ300HD Small Wonder High Definition Digital Camcorder (Black)

Via EverythingUSB

Switched picks Best HD Camcorder Under $250

Hey Reader: We live in wonderful times. There are many styles of camcorders to choose from these days, and most companies have HD models for under $500. (Video sites such as YouTube and Vimeo make it easy to post HD clips right from a camera. But if you want to edit HD creations first, know that you'll need a pretty powerful PC.) For your price range, nothing beats the convenience of a pocket-sized camera like the Pure Digital Flip MinoHD, which delivers the goods while still being light on your wallet and incredibly easy to use.

Gone are the days of lugging around an unwieldy camcorder and box of tapes -- today's pocket camcorders record to solid-state hard drives and have hardly any moving parts. Not only does this eliminate tape jams, it also enables nearly instantaneous shooting, so you don't miss the moment when inspiration strikes.

Buy a Flip MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)

Check out the full entry at Switched.

Consumers shift focus from camcorders to digicams

Suvi Dogra at India-based Business Standard has an interesting article on the Indian market trend. Check the full article for more.

Consumers in India appear to be shifting their focus from camcorders to digital still cameras. Camcorder sales remained flat in 2008, recording single-digit growth rates, according to industry estimates.

As opposed to this, digital still cameras grew by nearly 40 per cent and the category is likely to maintain a growth rate of around 25 per cent this year.

The reason for the shift is simple. In a slowing economy, consumers appear to be looking for reliable yet inexpensive products to fulfil their digital needs. Digital still cameras incorporate high-end technology, allow for shorter films and, yet, are cheaper than camcorders, reasons an industry observer.

“The digital still camera is growing rapidly in the Indian market and taking share from the digital camcorder market based on its compact form factor, improvements in recording capabilities like zoom, editing software, etc, and the consumer preference for carrying a single image capturing device,” explained R Zutshi, deputy managing director, Samsung India.

Buy a Samsung HMX-R10 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/5x Optical Zoom (Black)

Via Business Standard India