HD Camcorders

Panasonic Introduces Full Lineup of Full-HD Camcorders

Panasonic unveiled five Full-HD camcorders at CES 2013, headlined by the HC-X920, which features a 3MOS System PRO with BSI sensor that reduces noise to 50% of previous models and delivers 1080 TV lines of horizontal resolution. The lineup spans from the X920's 20.4-megapixel still capture and 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S. to the V520's optical 50x zoom and the V210's F1.8 wide-angle lens with 1920x1080/60p recording. Built-in Wi-Fi with Ustream broadcasting, NFC remote control, and DLNA compatibility across multiple models make sharing and live streaming practical for everyday users.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

HDTV Expert - NAB 2012: The Show It Is A-Changin'...

NAB 2012 showcased a broadcast industry transformed by consumer electronics, where 4K camcorders like the JVC GY-HMQ10 with an 8.3-megapixel CMOS sensor now retail for $5,500 and Black Magic Design's 2.5K cinema camera with 13 stops of dynamic range sells for $3,000. Thunderbolt connectivity emerged as a dominant theme, with Intel, Black Magic, MOTU, and others demonstrating 4K mobile editing workflows using HD-SDI and HDMI breakout solutions. For working video professionals, the collapse in production gear pricing and the rise of platform-agnostic tools means broadcast-quality acquisition and post-production are now accessible without the six-figure budgets that defined the industry 17 years ago.

Pete Putman
Columns

Panasonic Announces Pricing for 2012 Line of High Definition Camcorders, all Available in March 2012

Panasonic's 2012 camcorder lineup spans nine models launching in March, led by the HC-X900M at $1,199.99, which records 1080 60p video using a 3MOS System Pro imaging system for improved low-light performance. The range extends down to the waterproof HX-WA2 (IPX8-rated to 9 feet 8 inches, $279.99) and the HC-V10 with a 70x enhanced optical zoom at $249.99. Buyers across budgets can find options with AVCHD 3D recording, 5.1-channel surround sound, and MP4/iFrame output for streamlined editing workflows.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
JVC Unveils World's First Handheld 4K Camcorder

JVC Unveils World's First Handheld 4K Camcorder

JVC's GY-HMQ10 claims the title of world's first handheld 4K camcorder, capturing real-time 3840x2160 footage at 24p, 50p, or 60p via the proprietary Falconbrid LSI chip paired with a 1/2-inch, 8.3-megapixel CMOS imager. The camera records up to two hours of 4K video using an H.264 codec at up to 144 Mbps onto standard SDHC/SDXC cards, and outputs live 4K via four HDMI terminals with virtually no latency. Priced at $4,995, it brings full real-time 4K acquisition to a portable form factor previously unavailable outside high-end cinema rigs.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
JVC Introduces GY-HM750U ProHD Camcorder

JVC Introduces GY-HM750U ProHD Camcorder

The JVC GY-HM750U ProHD is a compact shoulder-mount camcorder featuring a 3-CCD imaging system capable of recording 1920x1080 footage at selectable data rates up to 35 Mbps to dual SDHC card slots simultaneously. The camera supports native file-based recording in .MOV, .MP4, and .AVI formats compatible with Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, and Sony XDCAM EX workflows, and an optional KA-AS790 ASI module enables live ENG microwave broadcasts via BNC with under 300ms latency. Priced at $7,450 with a Canon 14:1 zoom lens, it offers broadcasters a practical path from current 480i SD operations to full HD production without workflow disruption.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

JVC First To Offer Full HD 3D Consumer Camcorder

The JVC GS-TD1 is the first consumer camcorder to record 3D video in Full HD, using dual 3.32-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensors and an F1.2 Twin HD GT Lens to capture left and right images at 1920x1080i resolution. Three shooting modes are supported, including MP4 MVC for Full HD 3D and AVCHD Side-by-Side (960x1080 x2) for playback on compatible Blu-ray players, with 64GB of built-in flash memory and a 3.5-inch glasses-free 3D LCD monitor. Priced at $1,699.95, the GS-TD1 gives consumers a practical path to creating and archiving their own Full HD 3D home video content.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

JVC Full HD 3D Consumer Camcorder is World's First

JVC's GS-TD1 is the world's first consumer camcorder to record 3D video in Full HD, using dual 3.32-megapixel CMOS sensors and a proprietary high-speed imaging engine that simultaneously processes two 1920x1080i streams via the new LR Independent Format. The camcorder also supports Side-by-Side AVCHD (3D) and standard AVCHD (2D) modes, and includes a glasses-free 3.5-inch 3D touch panel LCD for on-the-spot playback monitoring. Priced at $1,999.95 and launching in March 2011, it represents a practical entry point for consumers seeking native Full HD 3D capture without professional-grade equipment.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

Panasonic Unveils New 3MOS HD Camcorders For Professional-Level Video Shooting In 3D and 2D

Panasonic's 2011 HDC-TM900, HDC-HS900, and HDC-SD800 camcorders feature a 3MOS sensor delivering 7.59 million effective motion image pixels and 1920x1080 resolution with 1080/60p recording, paired with a 46mm F1.5 Leica Dicomar lens. The Crystal Engine PRO image processor reduces noise by 45 percent compared to conventional models, improving low-light performance significantly. Optional 3D Conversion Lens support, HYBRID OIS, and up to 220GB of onboard storage make these camcorders a practical step up for consumers seeking near-professional image quality.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

Panasonic's New Full-HD Camcorders Offer Flexibility - From 3D and 2D Shooting to Wide-Angle Lenses, to Ultra-Lightweight Bodies With Intuitive Features

Panasonic announced seven Full-HD camcorders at CES 2011, all featuring 1MOS sensors with 1920x1080 resolution and wide-angle lenses, with the flagship HDC-SD90 and HDC-TM90 supporting 1080/60p recording and optional 3D video capture via the VW-CLT1 conversion lens. The mid-range HDC-TM80 and HDC-HS80 offer 42x Intelligent Zoom powered by Crystal Engine PRO, while the ultra-compact TM40 and SD40 weigh just 0.39lb and deliver up to 135 minutes of continuous recording on a single charge. Buyers across the lineup gain Hybrid OIS, touch-screen controls, and SDXC card support, making these camcorders practical for both casual and more demanding shooting scenarios.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
Toshiba Unveils CAMILEO S30 Compact HD Digital Camcorder

Toshiba Unveils CAMILEO S30 Compact HD Digital Camcorder

Toshiba's CAMILEO S30 is a full HD camcorder measuring three-fourths of an inch thin and weighing 4.2 ounces, capable of recording 1080p, 720p, and 480p video with digital image stabilization across all modes. The device pairs a 16X digital zoom and 8-megapixel still camera with a 3-inch touch screen LCD, and supports SDXC cards up to 64GB for an estimated 10 hours of 1080p footage. At $179.99 MSRP, it targets consumers seeking a smartphone-sized camcorder with direct HDMI output and one-touch social media uploading.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
Samsung Innovation Makes Capturing Video Easier Than Ever with the Practical and Affordable Full HD HMX-Q10 Camcorder

Samsung Innovation Makes Capturing Video Easier Than Ever with the Practical and Affordable Full HD HMX-Q10 Camcorder

Samsung's HMX-Q10 is a full HD camcorder featuring a 5MP BSI CMOS sensor with twice the light sensitivity of standard CMOS sensors, capturing 1920x1080/60i video with OIS Duo optical image stabilization for steady footage even while moving. The device introduces the world's first Switch Grip technology, using a G-magnetic sensor to auto-rotate the 2.7-inch LCD display based on how the camcorder is held, accommodating left- or right-handed users. Priced at $299 and available February 2011, it also doubles as a 4.9MP still camera, making it a practical all-in-one option for everyday video capture.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
SANYO Takes Underwater Full HD Video to a Whole New Level

SANYO Takes Underwater Full HD Video to a Whole New Level

The SANYO VPC-CA102YL is a waterproof Full HD camcorder capable of recording 1080/60i video at 1920x1080 resolution and capturing 14MP stills from depths up to ten feet, with a 12x double-range zoom equivalent to 40mm-480mm on a 35mm camera. The compact vertical-body camera supports MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoding, SDXC cards up to 2TB, and wireless transfer via Eye-Fi, priced at $349.99. Shooters who need a rugged, pocket-sized HD camera for water sports or winter activities can record up to 480 minutes on a single 64GB card before recharging.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
Samsung Introduces Pocket-Sized, Full-HD Camcorder with Swiveling Lens

Samsung Introduces Pocket-Sized, Full-HD Camcorder with Swiveling Lens

Samsung's HMX-E10 is a pocket-sized full-HD camcorder featuring a 270-degree swiveling lens and a 1/3.2-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording 1920x1080 video at 30p in H.264 format alongside 8-megapixel still images. The camcorder includes a built-in USB 2.0 port for direct computer connectivity and battery charging without a separate cable, plus a 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD and one-touch YouTube upload functionality. Priced at $199.99 and available in September 2010, the HMX-E10 targets consumers who want creative flexibility and simplified sharing in an ultra-compact form factor.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
Panasonic Unveils the World's First 3D Consumer Camcorder, Complete With a 3D Conversion Lens

Panasonic Unveils the World's First 3D Consumer Camcorder, Complete With a 3D Conversion Lens

Panasonic's HDC-SDT750, announced as the world's first consumer 3D camcorder, uses an included dual-lens 3D conversion lens to record side-by-side stereo images at 960 x 1080 pixels per eye, while also supporting full 1080/60p HD recording in AVCHD without the lens attached. The camcorder features a 3MOS system with 7.59 million effective motion image pixels, a 46mm F1.5 Leica Dicomar lens, Crystal Engine PRO processing, and 5.1-channel audio via five directional microphones. Priced at $1,399.95 and available October 2010, it connects via HDMI to Panasonic VIERA 3D televisions for automatic side-by-side playback, making home 3D video production genuinely accessible for the first time.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

HDTV Almanac - Apple Reveals iPhone 4G

Apple's iPhone 4G integrates a 720p HD camcorder, 5-megapixel still camera with flash, and a 3.5-inch 960x640 display into a pocket-sized device available in 16 GB and 32 GB configurations. The phone also includes front-facing camera support for video chat, built-in GPS, and a touchscreen interface, though its display resolution falls short of rendering HD footage without downscaling. For consumers weighing a dedicated camcorder purchase, the iPhone 4G presents a compelling but imperfect convergence device worth evaluating on its combined feature set.

Alfred Poor
Columns