Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Category: Camcorder

Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V HD camcorder with 160 GB internal memory test / review by Digital Camera Review

9 August, 2010 (09:57) | Camcorder, Review, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V
Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V

Digital Camera Review has tested a HD camcorder from Sony. The Sony camcorder is called Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V and has a lot of internal memory combined with the ability to record 1920×1080 Full HD video.

Some key features for the Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V:
-160 GB of internal memory
-1/4″ 3.5MP back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
-1920×1080 Full HD Recording
-7 megapixel still images
-12x optical zoom lens
-Optical image stabilization

Digital Camera Review ends up giving the Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V a good review with a total score of 3.5 out of 5 possible stars. The Sony camcorder scores highest on features, almost as high on performance, image quality and video quality while scoring a bit lower on expandability, design and ease of use.
On the positive side the reviewer find the Handycam to be able to record good videos in all kinds of light, it has many good features and still images are of very good quality. On the negative side we find aspects such as a too small LCD screen, awkward menu system and there is no standard audio output.
Read the full review of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR350V camcorder here.

Panasonic HDC-SDT750 comsumer 3D camcorder hands-on test / review by Camcorder Info

4 August, 2010 (11:51) | Camcorder, Panasonic, Review | By: Camera News

Panasonic HDC-SDT750
Panasonic HDC-SDT750

Camcorder Info has put out a hands-on review of the worlds first consumer 3D camcorder. The Panasonic camcorder is called Panasonic HDC-SDT750 and comes with a 3D conversion lens that lets you, you guessed it, record 3D movies.

Some key features for the Panasonic HDC-SDT750:
-Fulls HD 1080/60p Progressive Movie Recording
-12x optical zoom lens (35-420mm)
-3D conversion lens
-Optical image stabilization
-Uses SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards

Camcorder Info ends up giving the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 a mixed review, but they do not have a final result until they get the camcorder into their labs for proper testing. The website thinks that consumers will find it a bit challenging to record in 3D as it requires some adjustments, but as a 2D camcorder the SDT750 is excellent as it based on the top-notch HD camcorder called Panasonic HDC-TM700.
Read the full hands-on review of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder here.

Sony announces Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E interchangeable-lens Full-HD camcorder with E-mount

14 July, 2010 (10:38) | Camcorder, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E
Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E

Sony has announced a new exciting interchangeable-lens Full-HD camcorder. The HD camcorder is called Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E and is able to use lenses for the new Nex system from Sony. The HD-camcorder is able to record videos in 1080i video quality at 24mbps, has an external viewfinder and is even able to take still photos with a resolution over 14 megapixels.

Some key features for the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E:
-14.6MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
-Able to record 1080i video at 24mbps
-Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone
-Electronic viewfinder
-3” 921,000-dot LCD screen
-Able to capture still shots at 14.2 megapixels
-Uses SD and MemoryStick memory cards

The Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E camcorder will be released in September 2010 in USA and October 2010 in Europe and will cost about €2000 / $1999.95 with a E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens.

Press release:
“Camcorder Redefined” Sony unveils world’s first consumer interchangeable lens HD camcorder Handycam® NEX-VG10E captures cinematic Full HD movie and stereo sound with great depth
14 July 2010

• 14.2 effective megapixel ExmorTM APS HD CMOS sensor (19.5 times larger than conventional camcorder) for stunning HD movies with beautiful background defocus
• Accepts E-mount interchangeable lenses plus A-mount α DSLR lenses (via optional adaptor)
• High quality audio with Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone and external mic input
• 7.5cm (3 inch-type) Xtra Fine LCD and electronic viewfinder

Building on 25 years of continuous Handycam® innovation, Sony introduces the NEX-VG10E – the world’s first consumer HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses. It’s also the first Handycam® featuring an extra-large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that allows the creation of exquisitely cinematic background defocus effects.

Targeting video enthusiasts and photographers, the NEX-VG10E opens up unprecedented artistic possibilities not achievable with conventional consumer video cameras.

Compatible with a choice of high quality E-mount lenses, it’s the first consumer camcorder that offers the same breadth of creative expression enjoyed by DSLR photographers. Alongside the three currently available E-mount lenses, users of the NEX-VG10E can experience a wide variety of A-mount DSLR optics by using the optional LA-EA1 mount adaptor. Picking from a choice of award-winning Sony G lenses, fixed-focal length Carl Zeiss portrait lenses and other models from macro to super-telephoto, videographers will have unprecedented freedom to explore an exciting world in movie creation.

At the heart of the NEX-VG10E is a 14.2 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that’s teamed with Sony’s powerful BIONZTM processor to capture very high resolution video and still images. Approximately 19.5 times bigger than the standard sensor found in other consumer camcorders, the APS-C sized imager also enables an extremely shallow depth of field. This allows videographers to achieve ‘cinematic’ results with beautiful background defocus (bokeh). In addition, the ability to capture DSLR-quality still images gives videographers extra shooting flexibility on assignment with less to carry.

Full HD 1920×1080 video images are captured in AVCHDTM format at up to the maximum 24 Mbps bit rate for superlative detail and clarity. Unlike many digital still cameras including DSLR that support HD video, there’s virtually no restriction on continuous shooting time. Just slip in your choice of either Memory Stick PRO DuoTM or SD media cards and capture Full HD video and JPEG still images for easy transfer into your existing PC storage and editing environment.

The NEX-VG10E comes supplied as standard with an image-stabilised E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens that offers a powerful 11x optical zoom range. Because of its optimized design for video shooting, this high-quality E-mount lens offers smooth, ultra low noise autofocus and iris control. In-built Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation assures clearer video images when you’re shooting handheld. At wide angle settings, Active Mode enhances anti-shake performance even further, steadying jittery images even while walking. The lens also features a circular aperture for the creation of beautiful bokeh effects whether you’re shooting video or stills.

Reflecting the demands of serious videographers, sound quality matches the phenomenal imaging performance of the NEX-VG10E. The Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone uses advanced processing algorithms to combine signals from four separate omnidirectional microphone capsules. The result is exceptionally clear stereo audio with a highly directional response: this allows videographers to capture more sound from the subject they’re shooting, and less of distracting sounds around them. There’s also a jack for adding an optional external stereo mic, plus a headphone jack for audio monitoring.

With a photo-realistic 921k dot resolution, the 7.5cm/3 inch-type Xtra Fine LCD features TruBlackTM technology for an exceptionally detailed, high contrast view of images and menu settings. The LCD is supplemented by a high-resolution (1152k dot) electronic viewfinder that assists easy framing and monitoring. The viewfinder helps operator capture clear images in bright daylight and its angle can be easily adjusted for comfortable operation.

Despite its groundbreaking creative possibilities, the NEX-VG10E is compact, beautifully balanced and easy to handle, even for novice videographers. An intuitive jog dial and hotkeys make it easy to navigate camera menus and adjust shooting parameters. Videographers can also enjoy precise manual control over Iris, Shutter Speed, Gain and White Balance for professional results.

A range of official accessories includes the ECM-CG50 Shotgun Microphone that attaches to the camcorder’s accessory shoe. There’s also a choice of rechargeable battery options, including the NP-FV100 that provides power for up to 330 minutes continuous HD shooting. A dedicated soft carrying case LCS-VCD is also available as an option.

Offered to customers as a free download, Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 video editing software includes everything you need to produce spectacular HD movies. Powerful tools for video compositing, colour correction and sound mixing make it easy to achieve cinema-quality results in your own home studio. You can also upload movies to web, burn them to Blu-ray Disc™ or author DVDs with custom menus and graphics.

The Handycam® NEX-VG10E interchangeable lenses Full HD camcorder is available from October 2010.

Kodak Playsport Zx3 waterproof pocket HD camcorder test / review by Camcorder Info

20 June, 2010 (14:03) | Camcorder, Kodak, Review | By: Camera News

Kodak Playsport Zx3
Kodak Playsport Zx3

Camcorder has tested a waterproof HD camcorder from Kodak that should fit your pocket. The Kodak camcorder is called Kodak Playsport Zx3 and is waterproof down to 3 meters.

Some key features for the Kodak Playsport Zx3 camcorder:
-Waterproof down to 3 meters (10 feet)
-Full 1080p HD video
-Electronic image stabilization
-5 megapixel still photos
-2″ LCD screen
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

Camcorder Info ends up giving the Kodak Playsport Zx3 a good review as the HD camcorder is able to record videos with very good sharpness. The reviewer also loves that the Playsport is waterproof, the button design is good and the price tag is very competitive. The only downsides are that the auto white balance is a bit off making the videos looking orange and the menu system is a bit confusing. Overall this compact camcorder from Kodak seems like a good choice if you want to record videos below the water surface.
Read the full review of the Kodak Playsport Zx3 waterproof pocket HD camcorder here.


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