Back in April, Panasonic caused quite a big splash by teasing the AG-AF100, an interchangeable-lens camcorder for “professional users”. The Micro Four-Thirds device is the first of its kind, offering 1080/60i or 1080/30p AVCHD video recording and the ability to use a bunch of different lenses, adapters and filters with it (Micro Four-Thirds lens mount). → Read More
Sanyo knows what they’re doing when it comes to camcorders, but this one looks like a misfire to me. The simple design, 5x zoom, and easy operation may be appealing to those looking at a $200 price point, but those people also want simplicity in their video, and 1080i is no longer an easy format to use. Looking for a cheap camcorder? Grab an H30 or Playsport. → Read More
Toshiba has dropped a pair of new camcorders at IFA, both of the genus Pistolgrippus. The P20 is the chubbier of the two, though that’s not saying much, since the S30 is only 19mm thick. Once you’re past the point where these things slip into your jacket pocket, though, a millimeter here or there doesn’t really signify much. Good for them, though. → Read More
The phenomenon of tilting the lens in your camera or camcorder is simply not something I understand. Is there a nationwide crisis because of people not pointing their camcorder properly? Are home movies being ruined because it’s all shots of people’s knees? It seems to me that camera manufacturers have invented a problem to solve, and their solution is weird-looking. → Read More
JVC in Japan has announced [JP] two new Picsio camcorders today, the GC-WP10-A (pictured above) and the GC-FM2 (pictured below). Both models record video in full HD, come with web connectivity (iTunes, Facebook, YouTube) and with video editing software LoiloScope on board. They also feature a 3-inch touchscreen and a 1/3.2 CMOS sensor (5MP). → Read More
The pocketcam wars are hotting up. If you’re a consumer that doesn’t particularly care about image quality or lots of options, you have a ton of great choices. Sanyo makes a great compact camcorder (I use their pistol grip CG10 for tons of stuff), and they’ve just released a pocketcam that looks pretty solid. → Read More
We’ve been looking forward to Panasonic’s consumer 3D camcorder since we first saw their pro one at CES. When it was revealed last week, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. It’s not a new camcorder at all, just a conversion lens that severely limits exposure and manual controls. The 60FPS split-resolution recording methods threw me as well. But I haven’t handled it, so my opinion is worthless at the moment. But Camcorder Info just gave it a once-over, and they share many of my apprehensions. → Read More
Panasonic caused a splash in the blogosphere yesterday when it announced the world’s first consumer 3D camera, the HDC-SDT750, for the American market (release in October). The device was announced [JP] today in Japan as well, but Panasonic made some changes. And it showed another model, too, the HDC-TM650 (pictured), which hasn’t been announced for other markets thus far. → Read More
I recently reviewed the Toshiba Camileo H30, a functional camcorder with a traditional body style, and concluded that these would continue to sell for a few more years just on the strength of being familiar objects. The Flip-style camcorder is gaining popularity (as well as embedded imagers in phones and such), and the flip-out LCD home camcorder’s days are numbered. Panasonic is hedging their bets, announcing models of both types. Let’s see what they’ve got. → Read More
Some unnamed sources have revealed that Panasonic will be unveiling a new 3D camcorder next week — one intended for consumers, unlike its semi-pro AG-3DA1, which we saw at CES. We’ve seen other 3D cameras out there but not a lot of excitement yet, likely because the means to view the content are still expensive and inconvenient. → Read More
Tokyo-based Japan Trust Technology (JTT) today announced the CHOBI CAM G200 [JP], a video camera whose main selling point is that’s very, very compact (47×17×47mm) and light (34g). → Read More
We saw the new NEX camcorder teased about a month ago, and thought it looked pretty sweet. But it’s Sony, we thought. They might still mess this one up. And as it turns out… well, not really. It’s looking like a pretty solid camera system. The only trouble is the price. Update: AND the fact that it only shoots in 60i. What you’ve got here is an interchangeable-lens camcorder at 1080p1080i — a nice one, to be sure, but let’s be honest: at $2000 you’ve got your pick. For that price you can pick up (off the top of my head, since I’m a Canon man) a 7D, which has similar imaging capabilities, or for a little more you can even get a 5D mk II, which has the advantage of full-frame. What does the NEX-VG10 have against these? → Read More
It’s not the first “women-only” camcorder out there, but JVC’s Everio GZ-HM350 (announced [JP] today) has surely the best specs. It’s not based on an existing model but rather one of three new full HD camcorders JVC announced today (the black and silver models have the same specs as this special version). → Read More
Short version: The H30 represents the final and most refined form of the traditional family camcorder. But with HD cameras appearing on every device, is a traditional camcorder something you need? → Read More
Japanese camera maker Exemode announced [JP] the Hello Kitty DV520KT today, a simple 5MP CMOS camcorder that only has one thing going for it: it features mega-popular cartoon cat Hello Kitty saying “Hi” on the hardware. That’s what it probably makes perfect for young girls though. → Read More
Panasonic yesterday announced [JP] what it says is the world’s lightest full HD camcorder, the HDC-TM35. Sized at 51.5×107.5×57.5mm and weighing just 185g, the device is mainly targeted at women and will be available in white, purple, grey, and “gold”. → Read More
Remember that 3D camcorder DXG promised a couple months back? It wasn’t snake oil! Or at least, the promise wasn’t. The product almost certainly is. But at least we know it’s coming out. August 2010, baby. Quick! Buy a 3D TV to view this content on! → Read More
Short version: An outstanding consumer DSLR and liberating video recorder, the T2i is a powerhouse media device in a small and relatively affordable package. What I think of as killer features, however, may not be viewed as such by the buying population at large. → Read More
We were very impressed with the NEX3 and NEX5 digital cameras Sony presented yesterday for the first time. And today, the company in Tokyo announced [press release in English] a hardware prototype of a great-looking interchangeable HD camcorder. Technical details are relatively scarce at this point, but Sony says they will be using the same “Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor the NEX3 and NEX5 will have. → Read More
If there’s anything that will get people interested in 3D, it’s themselves. 3D self-recorded memories of the kids playing at the park, Thanksgiving dinner, and… other, less well-lit situations as well. But at the moment, 3D recording is expensive and complicated — DXG aims to fix that. It’s really not that hard to do; all you need is a sensor capable of capturing 60 frames per second, have two lenses offset by a known amount, and then switch off sending the frame information to the right eye and left eye channels. Of course, no one does it because the 3D effect is likely going to be kind of weird. → Read More
