UK Digital Cameras Blog

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.

Apple’s new Final Cut Express 4 software, which enables users of digital camcorders to put together and edit their own films, has been noted for its improvements compared to previous models.

In a new review for MacWorld, the software has been noted for its abilities over previous versions, particularly the fact that it can now read the memory from digital camcorders using means of recording other than tape.

Previous versions had not been able to do this, although the trend within the camcorder market has been towards cameras with memory cards or mini-DVDs.

For people who want to use their editing software for more than iMovie versions have to offer, then the step up to Final Cut Express 4 may provide users with more options for their film needs.

Although Final Cut operates in a different way to iMovie, its features still mean it is easy to understand and users are able to make their own films to a high quality.

In related news, Apple’s products have been increasing their market share in the UK in recent months.

Digital camcorders are increasingly becoming a valuable educational tool for children, it has been claimed.

Tony Richardson, who heads up the government’s educational technology agency Becta and formerly worked as a head teacher at a primary school, told the Independent many teachers are using digital camcorders to allow students to product their own short films.

“There’s some absolutely fantastic stuff that very young children are doing and the best teachers are using this to draw out sophisticated literacy objectives, such as storyboard writing, and an awareness of audience, purpose and structure,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

He suggested that using digital camcorders “deepens the experience” and can complement traditional teaching methods.

According to Media Ed, a UK media education website, children as young as seven can take part in digital video projects, with software packages such as iMovie easy for children under ten to get to grips with.

Videomaker.com, a website dedicated to video technology, suggests starting small projects, such as filming video messages to family members, as the first steps to helping children use technology to communicate their ideas.

Panasonic’s latest high-definition camcorder has been praised for its innovative features and good quality image capture.

Announced in July, the HDC-SX5 hit the market in September and despite it being slightly larger than its rivals, owing to its DVD recording feature, has managed to impress the review team at tech.co.uk.

They described the grey and black body as “impressive” and said that users “who want a good choice of tape less media coupled with superb quality pictures and sound…really can’t go wrong with the HDC-SX5.”

With its advance optical image stabiliser, Panasonic say users can “record clear, beautiful, blur-free images with vibrant colours” that “when viewed on a high-quality big-screen TV are simply breathtaking in quality”.

It also comes with a wide screen that the firm claims allows several people to watch clips filmed with the camera at once but the feature that has really stolen the show is pre-rec, a system which stores up to three seconds of video on the camera while it is on standby.

This helps users avoid missing crucial moments by allowing them to hit record to preserve what was just filmed.

Camcorder fans have caught their first glimpse of the brand new Samsung VM-DX10 at the technology event in South Korea.

The hybrid device, unveiled at the Korea Electronics Show, allows people to either shoot their movies using the 4 GB of onboard memory or record directly onto a mini-DVD, technology blog mobilewhack.com reported.

It is available in either black or white comes with a hyper image stabliser feature.

According to the site, the camcorder will make its debut in Korea in November and will be priced at around KRW 700,000 (£372).

Gadget website slashgear.com said that it seems “hybrid is the catchphrase of the decade” and described the VM-DX10 as a “beauty”.

“There is even a bigger touch-screen on this thing than some other portable devices where the touch screen is a major selling point, 2.7 inches of touch-sensitive goodness to be exact.”

Currently, there is no confirmation on a UK launch date or estimated price.

It is another new addition to the Samsung product line, which the firm announced earlier this year would start using Digital Living Network Alliance technology that allows consumers make sharing media far easier, allowing people to operate devices more efficiently.

More details have been revealed about Hitcahi’s two new camcorders, which it is claimed are “the first of their kind” to make use of Blu-ray disc technology.

The DZ-BD70A and DZ-BD7HA are designed to capture high-definition pictures and in an attempt to help users avoid shaking hands decreasing the quality of the video, Hitcahi has incorporated a gyroscope usually used in digital cameras which take still photographs.

According to the InvenSense, the company which manufactures the gyroscope, the device can withstand shocks up to 10,000 G, making it practical to build one into devices that may be dropped, such as camcorders.

Takahiro Nakano, the general manager of Hitachi’s camcorder engineering department, said that the “gyroscope provides the most precise motion sensing solution and was able to satisfy the stringent requirements for our image stabilization system”.

There is much excitement around the device with technology website stuff.tv telling its readers: “Perhaps it’s time your Hi8 cam had that upgrade you were thinking of.”

Prices for the DZ-BD70A and DZ-BD7HA are yet to be set but the cameras are expected to make their debut this month.

Toshiba has announced it is launching four new HD camcorders into the Japanese market in the next few months.

Two of the devices will form part of the Gigashot K series, boasting 1280 × 720 pixel video quality, with the KH08 model coming with 80 GB of storage and the K40H boasting 40GB

The other two cameras join the Gigashot A series, offering video capture quality of 1920 x 1080 pixels, with the A40F device having a 40 GB capability.

However, it is the A100F which has generated the most buzz in the technology community, branded as the sexiest of the range by gadget blog Gizmodo and offering a 100GB capacity.

People who purchase the A100F will also be able to take advantage of 75 minutes of battery life, 10x optical zoom lens and a three inch screen.

Gadget website pocket-lint.co.uk reports that the cameras are set for a November launch and will be priced from around £815, with Toshiba yet to confirm pricing and availability details for other regions.

Sanyo has unveiled details of its new Xacti HD1000 digital camcorder, claiming it is “the world’s smallest and lightest full HD digital camcorder” designed for the home user.

As well as boasting 10x optical and digital zoom functions, a 2.7-inch screen and in-camera editing facility, the device is capable of taking four megapixel still photographs. “The new Sanyo Xacti HD1000 continues our pioneering approach by combining full 1080i HD video recorded in the advanced AVC/H.264 standard with a massive 2.7-inch widescreen display and a simple hardware and software interface for file saving and TV playback, ” said Bryan Asa, general manager of digital imaging at Sanyo Canada.

It also makes use of recent research conducted by the firm and Chiba University in Japan which has helped calculate “the optimal lens-to-grip angle in minimizing muscle strain when holding and recording with a camcorder”. The firm has not yet revealed how much the camera will cost or when it will be launched in the UK Earlier this month, Sanyo revealed their new DMX -HD1000 device, which they claim is the “world’s smallest” digital
camera.

Samsung has announced the release of its new VP-HMX10C HD camcorder - which it says offers consumers a range of “easy-to-use, high-performance features and stunning designs”.

The company adds that its Flash Memory technology gives camcorders longer battery and enables a fast start-up time of just three seconds. Users can check how much battery time is left and how much memory is left by hitting the cameras iCheck button.

The camera is capable of 720p recording and features a 2.7 inch high-resolution touch panel LCD screen. Other features are a ¼.5″ CMOS image sensor, own brand lens, x20 digital zoom and up to x10 optical zoom, image stabilisation and a minimum shooting light of 156 lux.

It also comes with 16:9 aspect ratio, 1,280 x 720 resolution and is able to film 720p at 50fps as well as standard definition at 720 x 576/50p.

The camcorder boasts additional SD/SDHC/MMC+ flash memory on top of its eight GBs of internal memory. The VP-HMX10C HD will be available for purchase in the autumn.

JVC has launched a new range of streamlined mini DV video cameras.

The new line-up consists of the GR-D770, the GR-D760, the GR-D740 and the GR-D720. The products begin at an entry-level price and then move up, with the top line models offering innovative new features and high-performance.

They all have a new 2.7 inch widescreen LCD monitor and a “powerful” 34x optical zoom - with easy control provided for by a new stick control mounted on the monitor.

Each has a convenient Auto Button for toggling between manual and automatic operation - and the top two models in the line-up also feature Dual Recording, allowing users to shoot digital still images while recording video.

The top two models also come with Auto Illumi light for shooting in low-light and a Live Slow function, which lets you film your videos in slow motion and with slowed-down sound.

All JVC video cameras come with Data Battery, Multi-Language On-Screen, Power-Linked Operation functions and Auto Button as standard.