Camcorders

The Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 will feature a 16x optical zoom, touch screen control, iA with AF tracking and Advanced O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer). As far as storage goes, the SD10 will record only to a SD/SDHC Memory Card, while the TM10 offers 8GB built in memory and support for a SD/SDHC Memory Card.

Panasonic has added an excellent new feature to these camcorders, too. The "Pre-Rec" function records three seconds of images into an internal memory buffer. Then, when the Record button is pressed, the three seconds prior are added at the beginning of the clip being recorded. This is excellent if you're at a sports game and just miss a big play.

Currently, these new camcorders are slated for a June release in the UK at 529.99 Euro / US$721 / 69,348 Yen and 499.99 Euro / US$680 / 65,423 Yen. But expect to see a global launch soon after that.

For information on compatibility with external image and video viewers, click here.

[Panasonic UK]

Pure Digital's popular Flip camcorder has now gone HD. The company's new Flip UltraHD features two hours of recording time, a two-inch screen, 1280 x 720 resolution, 8GB memory, 2 x digital zoom and battery recharging through its built-in USB arm. A second generation standard-resolution (640 x 480) model is also available with 4GB memory.

Both new camcorders in the Ultra line come pre-loaded with FlipShare software that lets you easily organize, edit and share your videos. Just plug the built-in USB arm into your computer to share your videos on the spot.

The UltraHD is available in Black and White (with chrome trim) with an MSRP of $199.99. The Flip Ultra comes in Black, White, Yellow and Pink and sells for $149.

My prediction is this will be one hot seller…after all; more than 2 million first generation Flip camcorders have been sold since they were introduced…and that was less than 2 years ago!

For more information, visit www.TheFlip.com.

Panasonic just announced a new contest, called "Panasonic Living In HD 30x30" in which Panasonic will give away an HD product every day in May. Daily winners will have a choice of one of three 2009 Panasonic products from its line of LUMIX digital cameras and HD Camcorders.

The three prize options include two LUMIX Digital Cameras featuring 720p HD video recording (the DMC-ZS3 and the DMC-TS1 which is also waterproof and dustproof) as well the new HDC-TM20 1080p HD Camcorder with 16GB internal memory.

More information about the contest (including rules and requirements), can be found online at www.livinginhd.com/go/promo/30x30entry.

Have you ever held a camcorder in your hand to capture life's precious moments? Have you held that camcorder for longer than 30 minutes at one sitting? Samsung's camera designers know that comfort is as important as function. Sure, this camera looks funny, until you hold it in your hand. Then, you realize it is exactly what you have been looking for in a video camera.

There are two new camcorders from Samsung, the SMX-C14 and the SMX-C10. They are compact digital camcorders that are packed with features that make your memories look great when viewed. These features are a 10x optical zoom and Hyper Image Stabilization that helps reduce blurry footage.

The SMX-C14 has 16GB of internal Samsung flash memory and is expandable via an SD/SDHC memory card slot. You can actually record and store up to six hours of video. The battery life can hold a charge of two hours and forty minutes, and the SMX-C10 has the same battery (but no internal memory). Read more

Samsung just announced that its SMX-F34 camcorder received a 2009 TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Award, as the Best Entry Level Camcorder. Quite an honor for Samsung, the TIPA Awards recognize the world's best digital imaging products each year.

The SMX-F34 is Samsung's YouTube compatible compact digital camcorder. The handy Web & Mobile shooting mode lets you record in the format and resolution that YouTube requires, making getting your videos to the web faster than ever. The camcorder also includes a Photo mode so you can to use the SMX-F34 as a digital camera.

The SMX-F34 features a memory card slot for SD/SDHC and 16GB of internal flash memory. With H.264 compression, up to eight hours of standard definition video can be recorded using the 16GB built-in memory. Other features include a battery life of up to three hours, Schneider optics, built-in memory, and Samsung's 42x Intelli-Zoom. The MSRP for the Samsung SMX-F34 is $299.99.

To see more 2009 TIPA Award winners visit www.tipa.com/english/XIX_tipa_awards_2009.php.

At PMA, JVC announced a new Hybrid camera – the Everio GZ-X900 – which can simultaneously shoot full HD video and digital still images. Yes I know, other cameras do this, but what makes the Everio X different is the quality of images it produces – nine megapixels if shooting stills alone, and 5 megapixels if shooting video and stills at the same time. It is just like having a separate digital camera and camcorder! And at only 0.66 pounds, the Everio X is one of the lightest cameras to shoot 1920 x 1080 Full HD AVCHD video.

The Everio GZ-X900 (better known as the Everio X) will be available in June for $999. Read more