UK Digital Cameras Blog

The world’s first full high definition camcorders with 3MOS have been launched by Panasonic.

The HDC-SD100 and the HDC-HS100 camcorders record 1920 x 1080 by using an advanced AVCHD video format, according to the company.

Within the high definition is also the first 3MOS system to be used in a camcorder.

It has been developed based on 3CCD technology which is known for its very good colour reproduction, Panasonic said.

MOS sensors have expanded a light receiving area which improves the quality of images even in areas with limited lighting.

Panasonic said: “Compared with a conventional 1MOS, Panasonic’s new 3MOS system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, in greater detail with richer gradation.”

The HDC-HS100 model is a hybrid which allows HD images to be recorded onto either a memory card or onto the 60-GB hard disk in the camcorder.

Combined recording time of both memory card and hard disk is a total of 35 hours.

InfoSync said the camera’s both handled well during their tests and the optical image stabiliser included by Panasonic prevented video footage from shaking too much.

Photographers and digital camcorder users may be interested to hear about a new storage solution reportedly on offer from Samsung.

It is reported that the company plans to launch an SSD memory card that is capable of storing 256GB of data - despite being only 2.5 inches long, according to Channel News.

Citing Techworld, the article states that further to this the South Korean manufacturer could follow this up with a 1.8-inch SSD card that can cope with a similar amount of data.

It is noted that Samsung plans production of both cards this year and according to a spokesman for the firm, both should have a great deal to offer digital camera users.

“SSDs typically have faster read performance, the endurance can be an advantage because of no moving parts,” the spokesperson said.

Following its demise as a high definition home video format in February this year, it has preciously been speculated that Toshiba’s HD DVD format could resurface as a data storage solution.

There is no shortage of high performance high definition (HD) camcorders available thanks to the competition currently being stirred up by some of the world’s best manufacturers, it has been suggested.

In a recent article for Pocket-lint. co. uk, Chris Hall notes that more people might are considering buying a HD camcorder in time for summer and that it is not too difficult to find a model that delivers.

He recommends manufacturers such as Sony, JVC and Canon, and suggests simple controls and high quality footage as central to making sure the model you choose is right.

One model that was praised by the Trusted Reviews website was the JVC GZ-MG575, which the website noted was like the JVC GZ-MG505EK in terms of being a “consummate all-rounder”.

However, more specifically the review stated that the unit created video of an “excellent” quality and for its price represented a “tasty prospect for family holiday duties”.

A new flash memory camcorder - the Sanyo Xacti CG9 - has been launched this week, it has emerged.

The 9.1-megapixel camcorder comes complete with a CMOS image sensor which can capture images in high definition.

It is thought that up to one hour of video can be stored per gigabyte of memory available and the camera can support flash memory cards with up to 32GB of space.

Available in the UK from mid-April, the Sanyo Xacti CG9 joins the Sanyo Xacti HD700 camcorder as a new item from the manufacturer and will be available in a colour choice of pink, silver or black.

Retailing at a recommended price of £199, the camera is described as small enough to “fit in a pocket” and features larger and more simple buttons than other digital camcorders released by Sanyo, the reviewer claimed.

Meanwhile, the firm recently reported that it has launched the world’s first digital movie camera that can record images underwater.

A new palm-sized camcorder that records video in high definition has been released by Aiptek.

The AHD 200 can record up to two hours of high-definition video on a 4GB SD card.

Boasting a reversible 2.4-inch LCD screen, the camera also has the capacity to capture still images with an eight-megapixel sensor.

Capturing 1280 x 720 pixel HD resolution video at 30 frames per second, the camera also features a 4x digital zoom and can store up to 16 hours of video in .mov format or up to 4,000 photographs in jpeg format, which the manufacturer claims provides “a handy solution to capture all those holiday moments without intruding into valuable luggage space”.

The Aiptek AHD 200 can connect directly to an HD TV with its component leads and supports videos shot in both PAL and NTSC formats.

It also comes with a remote control and a USB cable, which can be used for battery charging and data transfer.

Aiptek also offers a range of digital camcorders, memory cards and digital photo frames.

A range of new digital camcorders has recently been announced by Sony, with the firm claiming the new model offers ‘best-ever image and sound quality’ among other things.

The new additions to Sony’s Handycam range, offer high-definition (HD) shooting and face detection for both video and photos - which the company claims is a world-first.

Among other features is the ability to record onto a removable memory stick as well as a 40x optical zoom feature.

Sony notes that the new range of camcorders have been designed to be used with HD TVs. While taking still images, the new camcorders can take images enhanced up to ten megapixels, which is on a par with a number of digital cameras.

A number of other new products have also been announced by the firm in recent weeks, including an addition to the Alpha range of DSLR cameras, the Sony A200.

A number of new camcorders have been confirmed by Canon, including the new
MD205.

The new model, which is set to be released next month, includes a number of features such as a 36x zoom facility, while image stabilisation technologies help to ensure steadiness even when shooting at such magnifications.

It also has a Digic DV processor to help ensure that colours remain true to life, while inputs for microphones mean that sound can also be recorded clearly.

Footage is recorded at a ratio of 16:9, which makes recording ideal for viewing on widescreen TVs. A 2.7 inch screen on the camera also allows users to clearly see what they are filming.

The screen on the Canon MD205 can also double as a facelight when users are filming in low light conditions if it is turned in the direction of the subject.

A number of other new camcorders have also been announced by the firm, all with release dates during the spring time.

Canon has announced it is to release a new high definition (HD) camcorder this year, as a replacement for the HV20.

The new model - the Canon HV30 - has a number of features including, a full HD sensor and a Digic DV II processor so that images can be shot at HDV1080i level.

Among the other tools on the camera are a 10x optical zoom lens, instant autofocus and analogue to digital conversion capabilities. It also has a multi-angle LCD screen.

The manufacturer notes that the new model has a number of the same features as the camcorder it replaces, including a “unique” combination of Canon HD video lens, a 2.96 megapixel sensor and the DV II processor.

Canon also claims that a series of extras, including manual audio controls, allow users to fine-tune settings so that the camera can be used to make professional films.

Also, the HDMI output jack means that the device can easily be connected to either a computer of a HDTV so that films can be viewed on a bigger screen.

The HV20, which the new model replaces, was named camcorder of the year 2007, Lets Go Digital reports.

A new high definition (HD) camcorder has been unveiled by Samsung at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The company has confirmed the release of a new SC-HMX20C - a flash based 1080p HD camcorder.

Footage can be recorded in full HD, while still snapshots can also be taken thanks to the presence of an eight-megapixel sensor.

The camcorder also features 8GB of flash memory, although users can record onto SDHC or MMC+ cards, which have higher capacity.

It also has a 2.7 inch wide touchscreen so that users can clearly see what they are shooting.

A weight of around 310 grams also mean the camera is not a burden to take out and about.

The Samsung SC-HMX20C is set to become available to consumers from May, although no price for the model has yet been confirmed.

Video footage can be recorded at a rate of 300 frames per second for up to a period of ten seconds.

Samsung have this week also announced a number of new cameras, including updates to the L and NV series.

A review of Panasonic’s latest high-definition digital camcorder has been released by technology site Cnet.co.uk . The Panasonic HDC-SD5 is similar to the earlier SD1 model, but has been redesigned so it is easier to hold, with an upward-sloping section making it easy to grip.The camera is also small enough to fit into a handbag or jacket pocket, which may make the model appealing to consumers who prefer their cameras on the smaller side.

But despite its miniature appearance, this camera comes with a range of features, such as a 2.7 inch LCD so that users can see what is being recorded. This monitor itself has a 300,000 pixel resolution as well as a wide-range viewing angle, meaning that images appear clear and sharp to the users.

Meanwhile, the resolution of the lens has been improved from the older SD1 model, with 1,920×1,080 pixels now being offered.

Overall, the camera is noted by the site for the “excellent” standard of its images, as well as a range of other features. However, the size of the memory on this offering is the only thing that lets it down, the review claims.

Meanwhile, Tech.co.uk notes that the new model does not have a number of features when compared to the older version.