Panasonic has recently announced the HDC-DX1 High Definition video camcorder which designed to keep pace with the ceaseless development in video towards larger TV screens and higher definition video content. Panasonic has set a new image and sound quality standards for today's video cameras by empowering home users with a tool for making their own High Definition recordings. The Panasonic HDC-DXI has a Leica Dicomar lens to minimise harmful reflections with the help of its 13 lens elements in 10 groups, with 21 multi-coated surfaces, and low-dispersion optical glass to reduce chromatic aberration.

Panasonic HDC-DX1 Technical Specifications:

• High-resolution AVCHD format
• Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) to minimize the effect of the slightest shake of the hands.
• World’s first 5.1-channel surround-sound system with 5 microphones
• Zoom Mic function linking the microphone's action to the camera's action.

The Panasonic HDC-DX1 provides about 40 minutes of High Definition recording on a dual-layer DVD-R disc. You can purchase the HDC- DX1 at a suggested price of $1,399.95 in the month of March 2007.

RCA continues its love affair with its Small Wonder Line Up and recently exhibited the RCA Small Wonder EZ201, a new, affordable digital camcorder , ideal for the casual shooter.

The Small Wonder EZ201 promises to capture all your precious moments without burning a hole in your precious pocket! It includes an expandable SD memory slot and a convenient rotating display. One can power up this baby by two standard “AA” batteries that last up to two hours of continuous usage.

The Small Wonder sports a 1.5-inch, 180 degree swivel LCD display and is pretty compact, thus offering true mobility. One can hook it up to a TV set or a PC via the USB interface. You can also team up the camcorder with the optional RCA Memory Maker, a new DVD docking and recording system for the EZ201. The RCA EZ201 has a suggested retail price of $129.

"We are committed to providing consumers with superior results and ease of use,” said Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson’s Audio/Video business. “The EZ201 Small Wonder represents the next evolution in simplifying video recording and at-home archiving. We’ve listened to our consumers needs, and this product offers a perfect video recording solution for a myriad of users – from moms and students to professionals like building contractors and real estate agents.”

Sony has developed four new high definition camcorders which were shown at the CES 2007 show. Of these four new models, the top of the line model is the HDR-UX7, a professional quality high definition camcorder.

The Sony HDR-UX7 features the three megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, which produces exceptional 1080i HD video quailty, as well as six-megapixel digital still photos. It also features Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization, and other hybrid benefits such as blur-free results on digital stills and video.

The ClearVid CMOS sensor also allows you to recorder in slow motion and dual record modes. With the slow record function, you can create slow motion video by playing back short video clips at 240 frames per second. A new feature is voice memo, which allows you to playback those clips with audio recordings. The dual record mode allows you to shoot video while simultaneously capturing a 4.6 megapixel digital still picture.

The HDR-UX7 incorporates x.v.Color technology, which supports a much wider data range of colors compared to the conventional sRGB standard. According to the National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom, the x.v.Color technology range is closer to colors that the human eye can recognize.

Videos can be recorded direct to blank 3" DVDs for playback, sharing, and archiving. HD content recorded on DVDs can also be played back on select Blue-ray devices, including the Playstation 3.

You can also expect to experience premium sound with the built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound recording for integration into home-theater equipped living rooms. The HDR-UX7 will be available in stores in March at the retail price of $1,300.

A part of Sony's newest line of DVD Handycam camcorders, the Sony DCR-DVD308 allows you to easily capture video directly to DVD. Record your videos in crystal clarity and 5.1ch surround sound to a number of DVD solutions, including DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer).

The Sony DCR-DVD308 also includes Active Interface Shoe, which provides for additional powered accessory options. Video can be transfered to your PC via the high-speed USB 2.0 connection.

Video can be recorded directly to a 3" DVD in either single or dual layer formats. The discs made by the camcorder, after being finalized, can be played in compatible DVD players, computers, and even the Playstation 2 and Playstation 3 video game consoles.

Widescreen capabilities allow you to record and playback video in widescreen mode, at the 16:9 aspect ratio. Or, if you prefer, you can record and playback in 4:3 aspect ratio. Changing between the different ratios is as easy as a touch of a button. Premium sound recording is available through the camcorders built in 5.1ch surround sound microphone.

The camcorder's Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization system reduces "shakes" without compromising video quality. The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens offers less glare and flare with increased contrast, resulting in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect rendition of subtle tones.

For the film buffs, or those who just want a quality camcorder, the Sony DCR-DVD308 Handycam camcorder is a perfect solution with its ease of use and variety of storage options.

JVC unveiled their new Everio hard drive camcorder, the JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7. The camcorder also has the distinction of being the " World's First Full HD 1920x1080i Consumer Camcorder" and provides full HD 1920x1080i video quality. One also can bid goodbye to removable tapes or discs as one can directly record on the camcorders hard drive.

The JVC GZ-HD7 HD Everio is outfitted with a 60GB built-in hard drive and is capable of five hours of full HD 1920x1080i recording at a high 30Mbps(MAX) Mbps. For the ultimate performance, JVC has added three CCDs, one each for red, green and blue and a Fujinon lens. Other nifty features include; optical image stabilization, manual controls, multiple digital connections, bundled editing and archiving software etc.

Sony makes a splash this year at CES with their line of new camcorders. In this new line, is the DCR-HC48 MiniDV Handycam camcorder, which contains a 1 megapixel CCD for enhanced detail and clarity, and exceptional analog video. By utilizing Sony Memory Stick Duo technology, you can easily record and transfer video by putting in your PC's memory slot, or through the included Handycam Station. This camera is great for amatuer videographers who want to capture life's precious moments and preserve them in quality form, without a lot of hassle.

The 2.7" wide scree provides for excellent viewing clarity at both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and the OneTouch Wide Angle shooting allows you to easily switch between the different aspect rations with just the touch of a button. The integrated picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for any shakiness, withouth compromising the video quality.

The DCR-HC48's TeleMacro function allows you to shoot up close shots without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. This function allows images shot in this mode to have the subject properly focused, while leaving the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

And if you're looking to shoot video at night, or in lower lighting, Sony's Super Night Shot Plus Infrared system allows you to capture natural looking video of subjects within 20 feet in low light.

This one's for the serious ones. Serious about movie making, I mean. Sony unveiled the F23 Digital Cinema Camera featuring full HD1080 compatibility with 24 frames-per-second recording which translates to standard film-based movie.

High quality recording is possible in the HD1080/60P mode, and for optimum visual effects the HD RGB 4:4:4 mode is supported. State-of-the-art 2/3 type progressive 3CCD and new CCD circuitry coupled with a 14-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter) can be found under the F23's hood.

At full 1920x1080 resolution, the camera supports 1080/23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, 50P and 59.94P (for progressive systems) and 1080/50i and 59.94i (for interlaced systems).

Weighing in at 5 kilograms, this baby is a big one. No word on the pricing yet, but you have to wait until May 2007 to get your hands on this.

Sony

Panasonic has rolled out yet another video camera, this time though its a DVD camcorder in the form of HDC-DX1. It makes use of 8-cm DVD discs and also is multi-format compatibility camcorder supporting DVD-RAM/-R/-RW and DVD-R double-layer (DL) discs. The HDC-DX1 DVD camcorder will hit the store shelves in Japan on December 15.

The DX1 makes use of the highly acclaimed 3CCD sensor, designed particularly for HD shooting and provides a higher color resolution, which is twice the resolution you would find in any of the conventional sensors. With the high-speed HD signal processor, you can achieve high-quality HD recording and the HD crystal engine processes images twice as quickly as progressive scan CCDs. It also features a 5.1-channel surround sound with five microphones, making you feel like you are truly a part of the scene.

The DX1 also supports AVCHD format and makes use of the newly developed LSI to implement the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 technology used in the AVCHD format. It includes the proprietary Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.), an image stabilizer technology that corrects blurring caused by hand-shake without compromising the image quality and thereby ensuring great images even when there is an unintended hand-shakes while shooting. As of now the camcorder is heading towards Japan and will be available in Japan on december 15th. No word on the pricing as yet. We will keep you updated.

Panasonic engineers have managed to come up with the World's first SD memory card HD video camera in the form of HDC-SD1. It can capture 1080i HD images onto SD/SDHC memory cards and can record up to 90 minutes of HD images on a 4 GB SDHC Memory Card in HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps).

Measuring 74 x 69 x 142 mm, the HDC-SD1 is the world's smallest and lightest HD video camera to date (As a consumer HD video camera which supports the AVCHD format). Users can enjoy the luxury of recording and playback of high-resolution digital images and 5.1-channel surround sound, thanks to the AVCHD format compatibility, an HD digital video camera recording format Panasonic developed with Sony sometime ago.

The HDC-SD1 boasts of a 3CCD imaging system designed particularly for HD shooting, provides a higher color resolution which is more than double the resolution of conventional image sensors. This in turn helps the users to use the camera n get great images even under low light conditions as low as six lux. Also the newly developed LSI helps to implement the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 technology used in the AVCHD format.

Perhaps the most talked about feature is the microphone zoom function, wherein the microphone zooms simultaneously as the camera zooms in on the subject and records the sound around the subject in the distance. Certainly one hell of a feature to boast off!. Other additional features include, 1.7 second quick start-up, "black-box" technologies and Optical Image Stabilizer. The HDC-SD1 will hit the shelves in Japan on December 1 and will be available at a suggested price of 1,300.00 euros.

As more and more customers demand easier- to-use digital photography and video, companies continue to have to manufacture simpler digital video and photography products. The latest is from Pure Digital, a Point & Shoot Camcorder that is probably the simplest digital photography device to date.

The design of the Point & Shoot Camcorder looks remarkable similar to that of an iPod, with an all-white exterior and circular center control. Ease seems to be the keyword for this thing that was made for the iPod generation. As its name implies, all you need to do his point and shoot with the touch of a button.

You also have the option of zooming in or out for better focus with the 2x digital zoom. The screen is 1.4 inch that allows you to see exactly what will be in the final cut. Another feature is the instant playback, including an audio speaker, so you can decide if you want to delete your video or still footage.

The Point & Shoot Camcorder holds up to 30 minutes worth of footage. It runs on two AA batteries, but it doesn’t look like the device is chargeable. It does have one really nifty feature that opens up a whole world to a user: a USB arm that flips right out of it.

From there, you can connect the Camcorder to your computer, and watch the videos from your PC, Mac, or laptop. You can then save them from there, and send them to Google Video or Grouper Networks via the built-in software! You can also use the one-step emailing, video greeting cards, or custom-edited movie mixes. Take your films to an authorized retailer if you want them to make a permanent DVD. You can also watch your videos from your television with the included TV connector.

The Pure Digital Point & Shoot Camcorder should be available in retail stores everywhere the first week of November at a price of only $129.99. The new 60-minute model is $169.00.

The time of high definition (HD) is nigh, and on display in Tokyo, at the CEATEC2006, is Sony’s HDR-SR1 30GB HDD digital camcorder.

The new Sony series Handycam, is the first consumer camcorder to allow high definition recording and detailed sound with enough memory space to satisfy any shoot, interview, vacation, without any disks or tapes.

The HDR-SR1 packs a 30 gigabyte hard drive for recording of up to 10 hours of high definition video at LP setting, directly to the built-in 30-gigabyte hard drive, in full 1080i HD resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound, for home theatre capability that’s full of vivid imagery and crystal clear auditorial.

Built in is a 2.1-megapixel ClearVid™ CMOS image sensor, with a swing-out 3-1/2" wide touch-panel LCD screen for easy setting browsing. Impressive is the advanced Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* optical zoom lens that ensures true-to-life color saturation and minimizes unwanted glare , with variable speed and magnification of up to digital 80x! Camera stills are possible at 4 megapixels with grand resolutions of 2304 x 1728. The Dual Record function allows you to shoot video and simultaneously capture 2.3 megapixel stills, and a Smooth Slow Record function allows recording in slow motion.

If these specs don’t impress then the HDR-SR1’s- Super SteadyShot®, Super NightShot®, or the One Touch Disc Burn button via pc; should. Hookup is made simple with a one cord connection to an HD television, high speed USB port, or sound recording via a sold separately Bluetooth® wireless microphone; which amplifies the center channel sound and allows to record seamlessly from up to 100 feet away. Recordings can also be played back on future Blu-ray Disc devices and DVD drives.

The HDR-SR1 30GB HDD camcorder hits Sony and stores this month, with a retail price of about $1,500.

Order at Sony
MobileMag via Aving

Assuring us that cell phones are the next multimedia computers in our pockets, Nokia unveiled the Nokia N95 cell-phone-slash-multimedia-computer. Taking the definition of all-in-one to new heights, the N95 features a unique 2-way slide concept and is equipped with GPS functionality and a 5 megapixel camera.

Effectively, the Nokia N95 is your music player, digital camera, PDA and personal navigation device all rolled into one. Now that's what I call a multimedia computer. All this packed into a cell phone's form factor that fits in your pocket takes the Nokia N95 miles ahead of its competitors.

The 2-way slide design works something like this: a numeric keypad slides out from one end of the device, while from the other, dedicated media access keys are available, converting the orientation from portrait to full screen landscape mode. Switch from reading maps to watching a video in just a few seconds.

The Nokia N95's GPS functionality, coupled with the Maps application that boasts of maps of over 100 countries, is ideal for travel. You can find routes or locate POIs (points of interest) with ease. Optional enhancements include city guides and voice guided navigation.

Outfitted with a big 2.6" QVGA 16 million color display, the NokiaN95 enjoys Carl Zeiss optics for high quality stills and DVD quality videos. Built-in stereo speakers offer a 3D surround effect. Memory expansion is possible via the MicroSD slot.

Watch out for the Nokia N95 cell phone in Q1 2007, retailing at €550 (approx. US $700).

The Sanyo Xacti line of hybrid camcorders has got a new member, the Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG6, which replaces its predecessor the C1. It has some decent specs under its hood including a 6 Megapixel resolution, an enhanced photo/video sensor that even works in low light conditions and 1600 ISO. The new camcorder/camera also supports SDHC and takes up to 4GB cards. Other features include; a 2.5 inch LCD, Audio output and the ability to transfer video directly to an iPod. No word on pricing or availability.

Akihabaranews ViaXataka

Sea & Sea is welcoming two new compact housings to its latest collection. The VX-S1 and VX-S2 are designed to easily attach to several of Sony’s high-definition camcorders.

In addition to their easy use, the VX-S2 and VX-S1 come with all sorts of features. For example, they both include a leak sensor, an underwater microphone, and an infrared control grip that allows an easy toggle between video and still recording. It also has a folding mirror designed to reflect the camera’s LCD screen back to the user. Other options include a wide-angle conversion lens, ballast weight, and step-up ring.

So far, there is no specification on a release date or price.

Sony Japan unveiled a new camcorder which would be perfect for all the pros. The Sony HDV camcorder 'HVR-V1J has the Sony ClearVid CMOS Sensor under its hood and a 20x HD Optical Zoom Lens. It promises brilliant and stunning imagery and includes features like Progressive Scan, Last Scene Review, Smooth Slow Recording, Interval Recording and 1080/50i. It should be available by the end of the year and should retail for 567,000 Yen. Nothing else is known about this one but we shall keep you updated. For more info visit Sony.

The HDV revolution has begun with much gusto and the new Sony HVR-V1U HDV camcorder carries forward this next generation trend. The new HVR-V1U is touted be the superior version of the equally awe-inspiring HDR-FX7 and this one is strictly for the pros! The cam has a 24p frame rate which is the norm in film-making and as additional bonus there is a 1080p resolution.

The Sony HVR-V1U has a CMOS sensor and promises jaw-dropping video performance! One can also attach an optional hard disk to the top of the camcorder and the hard drive's recording parameters are displayed on the camera's viewfinder. Thus according to Sony this "hybrid recording system is the perfect solution for pros who have both HDV tape and disk backup on their fingertips. Not on does the camcorder support HDTV and XLR audio, it also has a HDMI port. The Sony HVR-V1U doesn’t come cheap and one would need to shell out $4800 to get their hands on this baby. It should hit the shelves by December, so start saving up guys!

Via Gizmodo

Sony has achieved another electronic milestone with the creation of the Sony HDR-FX7 1080i HDV camcorder. Like the models before it, the HDR-FX7 can record standard definition DV video and 1080i HDV on miniDV tapes. This is the first high-definition camera to feature Three-Chip ClearVID Sensor Technology.

So what does that mean? In short, it means higher resolution, greater light sensitivity, and more accurate color reproduction. It means that you can use its three sensors to film 6 seconds, and then play them back clearly in slow motion for 24 seconds. You can also take 1.2 megapixel stills while shooting video at the very same time.

All that is pretty impressive, and that is just the beginning. The Sony InfoLithium L Series battery’s STAMINA technology allows up to eight hours of continuous recording time. The camera is also more compact, easy-to-use, and forty percent smaller than Sony’s other HDV models. At three pounds, it is also twenty percent lighter than Sony’s previous HDV models.

Not only that, the Sony HDR-FX7 features a high-resolution viewfinder, as well as a 3.5-inch LCD viewing screen. Clear Photo Plus LCD technology will give the clearest shots available today, and a low dispersion lens glass to reduce color distortion. Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization helps to keep your video and still shots as non-shaky as possible.

It also has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens that gives a 20x optical zoom range in 16:9 widescreen mode. Even greater magnification can be achieved with a digital extender function that can bring a 30x optical zoom.

Manual controls for shooting include zoom, focus, shutter speed, white balance, iris, and gain. Editing footage is made simple with an HDMI interface and non-linear editing software.

Preorders for the Sony HDR-FX7 should be available very soon, and it should hit the market in October 2006. The expected price should run about $3,500.

Aiptek will unveil its new digital camcorder, the Aiptek PocketDV 8900, at the IFA in Berlin. As with any other digital camcorder, the PocketDV 8900 can be used to take digital still images. Connect it to your PC and you've got yourself a webcam, even.

With a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, the PocketDV 8900 offers high-quality video, which is stored in MPEG4 format. The camcorder has a smallish 2" TFT LCD display at 115,200 pixel resolution. The LCD can be rotated up to 270° for ease of viewing, as well as shooting yourself (no, not in the foot).

The PocketDV 8900 allows for 4x digital zoom and 3x optical, and features MMC and SD slots for storage. It's good to know that Aiptek has included an MP3 player on it, with a 15-channel equalizer.

Need a Camcorder, a WebCam, a Photo Camera, an MP3 Player, a Mass Storage Device, or Voice Recorder?

Nope… Now you need just one.
Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, introduces the mini stylish DiVi CAM 516. Fully charged with all the practical functions necessary to fully satisfy numerous mobile needs and with an affordable price of 249.99 (Less than your ipod coughcough)

For all your photo needs; the Creative DiVi CAM comes loaded with a 5.1-megapixel sensor, and is able to capture high resolution images with up to 12.0 Megapixel interpolated resolution resulting in fine detail and bright color. High quality video recording comes in VGA (640 x 480 pixels) resolutions with a maximum of 30 frames per second, with MPEG-4 format playback and an option to display your recordings via your television. Shooting modes such as Normal, Macro, and a 4X digital zoom, allow ease of use even for the amateur videographer.

In addition to video recording, the DiVi 516, functions as an mp3 music player, a complete webcam, and records voice lectures and other verbal functions that the user chooses to assign to the multitasking tool. Media is easily shared via the 2.0 or USB 1.1 compatible USB port.

The Divi runs on four AAA batteries and has an SD expansion slot for up to 1Gig of storage space.

Fitting in the palm of your hand
And with option of silver, black, or light blue;
this is the ultimate device to run ALL your documenting needs.

Via DCViews

Hitachi is turning into a behemoth. In the quest to make inroads into the Camcorder market, Hitachi, delivered a sucker punch in the form of DZ-HS303 Digital Camcorder. The all new DZ-HS303 is a combination of a DVD and HDD camcorder. It features both HDD and DVD in one single package.

The DZ-HS303 now becomes the first camcorder to combine DVD and HDD video recording media. In addition to accepting 8cm DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD-R discs and SD memory cards, the camcorder has an onboard 8GB hard disk drive. Now the users enjoy the luxury of switching between two modes seamlessly. If your DVD runs out of space, then just with the push of a button you can seamlessly shift to HDD mode which boasts of a memory up to 8GB of hard-disk space, which is unfortunately almost half the size of my existing hardrive!

The DZ-H303 features an impeccable 1/3” CCD imager has 3310K gross pixels and 2180K effective pixels in 4:3 video recording mode, and 3.05 megapixels in still mode. The lens has a focal length of 6.1-61mm, a maximum aperture of F1.8-3.0, and a filter diameter of 37mm. With a 10x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD, numerous manual control options, and onboard features like a video flash and external microphone jack.

Hitachi’s DZ-HS303 is scheduled for a Japanese release on August 30, and has an expected MSRP of about 130,000 Yen which is approx. US$1138 .

Via Gizmodo

DVD camcorders are the next best thing, how else would you explain the sudden phenomena of the market being flooded with them. The latest DVD Camcorder comes from the stables Hitachi, who recently unveiled the Wooo DZ-HS303, which apart from a funny name (can you imagine telling your friends, I have a Wooo?), does has some decent specs on it.

The Wooo DZ-HS303 shoulders the responsibility of being the world’s first camcorder to have both a DVD and hard drive, so which means you can also capture six hours of footage to an 8GB MicroDrive or one hour of video on a disc. Some other features found on the camcorder include; a 10x optical zoom, standard 2.7-inch LCD, and three mega pixel CCD. The Wooo can be yours for 130,000 yen ($1,132) and will see an August 30 release.

Via Engadget
Hitachi

Panasonic announced the new VDR-D400, DVD camcorder that boasts, for the first time, 20x optical zoom. You read that right: 20x optical zoom. This 3CCD DVD video cam delivers high image quality even at max zoom because the camera incorporates anti-blur techniques.

Video is recorded using MPEG2 compression, while the 3CCD system guarantees beautiful color reproduction. For those looking to take digital still images, you get an impressive 3.1 megapixel for still images.

Compatible with DVD-RAM/-R/-RW, videos can be stored on SD memory cards as well. Panasonic was one of the first companies to come out with 10x optical zoom with the VDR-D300, and with the D400, they have upped the ante. Bundled software include DVD MovieAlbum SE 4.2 and DVDfunStudio 2.4 (it's a pity these applications are not available on the Mac). The cam offers a USB 2.0 connection to your PC.

Pricing has not been announced yet. The Panasonic VDR-D400 DVD video camera will start selling in Japan starting September 1, 2006.

Canon, one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies today made an announcement in the press that it is going to launch its new mid-level DC22 DVD camcorder. The DC-22 leads the pack of three second generation DVD (-R/-RW/-R Dual Layer) camcorders making a jump straight into the HD camcorder market.

The DC-22 is a compact DVD cacmorder which include cutting edge features to provide consumers with an affordable, high-quality solution for recording. The DC-22 features a whopping 10x Optical zoom, which is Genuine 10X Canon zoom lens, 2.2 Megapixel CCD Image Sensor with RGB Primary Color Filter, Widescreen HR (high resolution) recording and large 2.7-inch Widescreen LCD. The camcorder can read all DVD-R/-RW DVD discs and can store up to 60 minutes of video and are compatible with many home DVD players, both old and new.

Also with the DVD media, it has an additional layer that allows the camcorder to almost double the recording time without replacing or flipping the DVD. Verbatim's innovative VideoGard protection also helps the cause and ensures storage of quality videos for many years to come. With already a tag of "world's smallest and lightest DVD camcorders" up its sleev, the DC-22 is wort a buy. Take a glance at the extended entry for the press release.

The Canon DC22 DVD camcorder will be available at the end of August 2006 for an estimated selling price of $699. Mini DVD-R DL discs in blister and jewel case three-packs will be available in the U.S. through leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors in September.

Canon today can give it self a pat on the back as it was able to successfully launch its first compact seize HD video camera. This new video camera is pretty unique and will surely get a lot of takers because of its HD CMOS sensor with its impressive resolution of 1920x1080. The HV10 has a 1/2.7 type cmos with 2.96Mpix, which will assure superb picture quality according to Canon.

The Canon HV10 also has what Canon calls Instant Auto Focus which is much superior to the plain old AF systems according to Canon. Canon claims that this is one much faster and accurate and there is a Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization too! It can also take still images in 3.1-megapixel resolution which can be stored on a Mini-SD card. No word on availability but the iVIS HV100 should around 1000.00 EUR.

Via SciFi.com

The folks at the website CamcorderInfo were lucky enough to get their hands on the new Sony HDR-UX1 and let’s see what they have to say. They like the camera for its novelty as a similar product from a different brand is not on the market yet. Not only is it the first AVCHD camcorder but also the first DVD camcorder to record high definition video. The camcorder also has an intuitive interface and they found the multi-function ring a great manual control. The review is pretty positive and the only drawbacks they could think about was the DVD compartment which was a little inaccessible and the lack of manual gain control.

The Sony HDR-UX1 is a high definition DVD camcorder and is one the most expensive DVD camcorders in the market. This baby includes a 2100K (1434K effective in 16:9) 1/3-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor for amazing imagery and via the ClearVID technology the camcorder is able to produce a wider dynamic range and faster processing speed when compared with traditional CCDs. Not only is it the first AVCHD camcorder but also the first DVD camcorder to record high definition video. The camcorder sports a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with a 30mm filter diameter and automatic lens cap and an electronic viewfinder. Users will also dig the 3.5” widescreen LCD screen and the 10x optical zoom and 80x digital zoom. HD Settings include 12 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 7 Mbps, and 5 Mbps and still images can be captured too.

The review ends on a positive note as the website writes - All of these features are packed into a typically well-designed Sony camcorder body, with a comfortable hand strap and excellent zoom toggle. As a package, we anticipate the Sony HDR-UX1 to be the strongest combination of video performance, manual control and ease-of-use yet seen in a consumer camcorder. It may not produce video that can rival competing high definition formats, but would be hard-pressed not to surpass the best performing MiniDV camcorders. The first impressions are unquestionably very positive, this is an exciting model. The HDR-UX1 is intriguing and compelling, and it’s a camcorder we can’t wait to spend some quality time with”.