Camcorder Review

Hitachi DZ-HS501E

2008-06-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Introducing the latest DZ-HS501E Hybrid DVD+HDD CAM, a new kind of camcorder that combines the high capacity of a 30GB Hitachi hard disk with the convenience of a Multiformat+ DVD burner. Shoot 23 hours* on the HDD then press the One Touch Dubbing button to burn movies from HDD to DVD with double speed dubbing*1 Users can enjoy the advantage of Hybrid CAM; shooting longer and burning multiple DVDs for fast and easy sharing without a PC or other DVD burning hardware.
* Standard quality mode *1 Fine quality mode
Hybrid DVD+HDD CAM - 30GB High Capacity Hitachi HDD - Multiformat+ DVD RAM/-RW/-R/+RW (& SD Card) - 1.3 MegaPixel CCD - One Touch Easy Dubbing Button - 2x Speed Dubbing - 1-Second Quick Start

Hitachi DZ-BD70E

2008-06-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

Introducing the world's first Blu-ray Disc Camcorder, the DZ-BD70E is the next generation in Full HD 1920 x 1080 camcorder featuring compatibility with Blu-ray Disc, the next generation Full HD optical disc. Blu-ray Disc enables 1 hour of Full HD recording and delivers truly incredible image quality.
With a seamless, end-to-end Full HD 1920 x 1080 image processing from; capture with an advanced Full HD lens and 5.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, to processing via PICTURE MASTER Full HD A/V CODEC & LSI to output to 8cm Blu-ray Discs or via HDMI connection, the DZ-BD70E enables you to record treasured memories for future viewing.
Full HD 1920 x 1080 end-to-end process - 5.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor - HDMI connectivity - Photo capture from BD/DVD - USB 2.0 Connectivity - 10x Optical Zoom Lens - Blu-ray Disc for 1 hour of Full HD recording - PICTURE MASTER Full HD Processing - 1 Second Quick Start Function - SD Card Slot - Interactive guide function - 2.7" 16:9 display screen

Hitachi DZ-BD7HE

2008-06-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

Introducing the world's first Blu-ray Disc Camcorder, the DZ-BD7HE is the next generation in Full HD 1920 x 1080 camcorder featuring compatibility with Blu-ray Disc, the next generation Full HD optical disc. Blu-ray Disc enables 1 hour of Full HD recording and delivers truly incredible image quality. Additional features include seamless, end-to-end Full HD processing from capture, image processing to output plus Hybrid BD+HDD technology; shoot 4 hours of Full HD to hard disk drive, edit then burn at the touch of one button to multiple Blu-ray Discs to share or archive for future viewing - all without a PC!
Blu-ray Disc for 1 hour of Full HD recording - 5.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor - HDMI connectivity - SD Card Slot - Interactive guide function - 2.7" 16:9 display screen - Full HD 1920 x 1080 end-to-end process - PICTURE MASTER Full HD Processing - Photo capture from BD/HDD/DVD - USB 2.0 Connectivity - 10x Optical Zoom Lens

SONY HDR-SR12E

2008-06-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Best ever picture quality with Full HD 1920 x 1080 video shooting and still photos up to 10.2 Mega Pixels. With high capacity 120GB hard disk drive, Face Detection for automatically beautiful pictures plus easy-to-use features for shooting and sharing your memories.
Features:
1920 x 1080i Full HD Recording - 120GB Hard Disk Drive - ClearVid CMOS Sensor with "Exmor"-derived technology - BIONZ Image Processor - Face Detection for movies and photos - 10.2 Mega Pixel still image shooting - HYBRID recording: Hard Disk Drive & Memory Stick - x.v.Colour - Dolby® Digital 5.1 Creator with Zoom Mic - 3.2" Xtra Fine LCD with Touch Panel - One Touch Disc Burn

SONY HDR-UX5E

2008-06-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

Utilising the incredible AVCHD recording format, HDR-UX5E records high quality videos and 4.0 Mega Pixels still images. What's more, it comes with Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator for a complete theatre experience right into the comfort of your home.
Features:
ClearVid CMOS Sensor - 4.0 Mega Pixels Still Image Capture - DVD Format Video Recording - DVD-R/RW /+RW Compatible - DVD+R DL (Dual Layer) Compatible - 10x Optical / 80x Digital Zoom - Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens - Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording - 2.7" Wide (16:9) Touch Panel Hybrid Clear Photo LCD - Smooth Slow Recording - Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media - Super SteadyShot - On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons - USB 2.0 - One Touch Wide Angle Shooting - Progressive Shutter System - Active Interface Shoe - Super NightShot

SONY HDR-UX7E

2008-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Record in rich full colour and superior sound quality anywhere you choose to go. With technologies such as x.v.Colour, Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator and the AVCHD Format, the HDR-UX7E lets you capture videos and up to 6.1 Mega Pixels still images.
Features:
ClearVid CMOS Sensor - 6.1 Mega Pixels Still Image Capture - DVD Format Video Recording - DVD-R/RW /+RW Compatible - DVD+R DL (Dual Layer) Compatible - 10x Optical / 20x Digital Zoom - Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens - Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording - 3.5" Wide (16:9) Touch Panel Hybrid Clear Photo LCD - Smooth Slow Recording - Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media - Super SteadyShot - On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons - USB 2.0 - One Touch Wide Angle Shooting - Progressive Shutter System - Active Interface Shoe - Super NightShot

SONY HDR-UX20E

2008-06-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

The ClearVid™ CMOS sensor (with Exmor™ technology) and BIONZ™ image processor capture Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution for amazingly sharp picture detail. HYBRID Plus give you added flexibility with the convenience of recording videos onto Memory Stick and 8GB Internal Memory.
Features :
1920 x 1080i Full HD Recording - ClearVid CMOS Sensor with "Exmor"-derived technology - BIONZ Image Processor - Face Detection for movies and photos - D-Range Optimiser - 15x Optical Zoom and 180x Digital Zoom - HYBRID Plus recording: DVD, 8GB Internal memory and Memory Stick - x.v.Colour - Dolby® Digital 5.1 Creator with Zoom Mic - Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* Lens - 2.7" Clear Photo LCD Plus with Touch Panel

JVC GR-DF550

2008-06-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

The JVC GR-DF550 features a 1/4.5 inch CCD with 1.33 MP. This is substantially better than the 1/6 inch (680K) CCD found on nearly every other one of JVC’s one-chip camcorders this year. On top of that, the JVC GR-DF550 (and every other Ultra-Compact camcorder) features the 3D Noise reduction technology of last year’s one-chip camcorders. All of this goes into making the GR-DF550 probably the best of JVC’s one-chip camcorders this year.

JVC GR-D270

2008-06-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

All of this camera’s CCD specs are identical to those of last year's model, providing the user with a 1/6th-inch 680K CCD with 340K effective resolution. One difference between this and last year’s model that will be noticeable at first glance is the 30% decrease in size. This camera’s sleek and smooth body has a refined gloss finish and its overall style is cleaner and more pared-down. The body is primarily silver, with gray highlights. Last years JVCs performed remarkably well in low light conditions, an attribute partially due to their 3-D Noise Reduction technology. This year's JVC GR-D270 unfortunately does not have this feature, forcing the user to rely on Night Alive and other settings to compensate for this subtraction. This camera comes equipped with Live Slow (a slow motion feature), an Auto Illumination on-camera lighting system, and a 25x optical zoom. It has an optional SD memory card slot, and the ability to record in 1024x768 still resolution.

Toshiba Camileo Pro HD

2008-06-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Toshiba's Camileo Pro HD is a pocket-sized camcorder that can record HD footage at a resolution of 1,280x720p. It features 128MB integrated storage, a 5Mp CMOS sensor and 3x optical and 4x digital zoom.

The Camileo's 2.5in LCD screen rotates through 270 degrees, ensuring even the most awkward shots can be captured easily.

In addition to the limited internal memory, the Toshiba Camileo Pro HD supports up to 32GB SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) removable memory cards. Toshiba says this will enable users to capture up to 16 hours of film.

The Camileo Pro HD also has a number of other functions. It acts as a digital still camera taking images at 11Mp, a voice recording function allows it to double-up as a Dictaphone and it also has the capability to be used as an MP3 player. The Camileo Pro HD can also be used as an alternative to a webcam.

Canon ZR700

2008-06-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

You want your memories to last forever that's why you've taken the time to capture them. And you want to shoot in widescreen format to get everything you can out of your new widescreen TV or home theater system.
So, why is the way you record widescreen images so important? Because you want an image made for widescreen, not adapted for widescreen. Because every HD television is widescreen, widescreen is the future.
The story of how we do it may be a bit technical, but the result is clear to see. Canon camcorders use the entire width of the image sensor to capture video in true 16:9 format. What difference does this make? It's simple. With more pixels captured, you get better image quality. Some competitors' camcorders force the wider picture into a smaller space on the sensor giving you a less true image, with fewer pixels and lower quality. With a Canon camcorder, your videos of your travels will let you relive great memories.
In addition, the viewfinder on your ZR700 displays your widescreen image in a letterbox view. From side to side and top to bottom, what you see is what you get. You can also view your widescreen shot in the ZR700's large, 2.7" LCD screen. Either way, there isn't the guessing or extra work in looking at an image that's distorted like a fun house mirror.
To make it even easier, a Widescreen Button lets you switch from standard 4:3 to 16:9 Widescreen HR at the touch of your finger. You can also use the widescreen feature with the camcorder's advanced image stabilization.
Every one of the camcorders in Canon's ZR series gives you Widescreen HR Recording at a very affordable price. Why shouldn't your camcorder shoot as wide as your widescreen TV? It should and it's hard to match the widescreen video, or the value, you'll get from your Canon ZR.

Canon ZR830

2008-06-06T17:22:00.001-07:00

The name Canon is synonymous with optical excellence the world over. Brilliant optical quality is part of every Canon broadcast TV lens, 35mm film camera, digital camera and camcorder and the ZR830 is no exception. It gives you clear, vibrant and brilliant video and digital photographs.

Your ZR830 camcorders come with Genuine Canon Optics, known worldwide by professionals and consumers alike for unsurpassed optical performance. In addition, the ZR camcorders come equipped with Canon's longest zoom ever: a 35x Optical Zoom. Plus, a powerful 1000x digital zoom lets you get close to the action from even farther away.

Sony HDR-SR8E

2008-02-12T20:52:00.000-08:00

Sony HDR-SR8E with 800 GB harddrive gives video with duration 13.5 hour in a best quailty. SR8 compressing video into AVCHD standard with resolution 1440x1080 pixel. The SR8E has a fair level of high-end features. The built-in lens cover opens automatically when the camera is turned on. The accessory shoe is of course Sony's propriety version, so third-party accessories won't fit. This is a shame, as minijacks are built in for microphone and headphones. But the accessory shoe also supports Sony's 5.1 surround microphone, the ECM-HQP1, assuming you can find one for sale. If you can't, the built-in microphone has three channels - left, right and rear - which it uses to mix the surround signal it records to Dolby Digital 5.1.

Canon HV20 High Definition

2008-02-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

The Canon HV20 High Definition Camcorder is an achievement in home video recording. With the HV20, amateur and casual videographers can now make full-resolution 1080 widescreen (16:9) high-definition videos, for use on their HDTVs. The camera's built-in HDMI terminal makes connecting to HDTVs incredibly easy. Advanced users will surely be interested in the 24p "Cinema Mode" which adds a film-like look to videos. In addition to the high-quality video capabilities, the HV20 also features a 3-megapixel still camera and 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. Keep an eye on this camcorder, we'll keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Samsung SC-DC173

2008-01-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

The Samsung SC-DC173 offers superior video quality and easy-to-use features that allow consumers to capture life's important moments such as a baby's first steps, fun vacation memories, graduations and other not-to-be missed moments. The Samsung SC-DC173 available in April 2007 with price about $369.99.

For the always-ready consumer who remembers the DVDs, Samsung offers a DVD camcorder that can capture any important event. The SC-DC173 DVD camcorder is an affordable, compact unit for families on-the-go, including the aforementioned dual and multi format compatibilities and featuring a 34x Optical Zoom with 680K Pixel CCD and a 2.7inch wide LCD for impressive image clarity and usability.

Panasonic VDR D310

2008-01-29T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Panasonic VDR D310 have a good score for color accuracy on still images, though its overall score was a less impressive Good. The VDR-D310 can record photos at sizes ranging from 0.3 megapixel to 3.1 megapixels to an SD card.

The camcorder has a microphone jack, though its built-in. Playback on the built-in monitor is fairly easy to control. The joystick on the back of the body falls under your right thumb; you use it to select the video you wish to play, and the controls appear on screen. You can adjust the volume by moving the zoom lever a top the camera, and the built-in speaker is strong enough to be audible in fairly quiet areas. There's no headphone jack, which would have been useful in noisy environments, but you do get USB and AV-out jacks.

A delete button on the front of the unit is convenient for disposing of unwanted scenes and stills, and the remote control permits access to all basic functions, including still photos, zooming, and file management.

To charge the battery, you must remove it from the camcorder and place it in the small charging bay; you can't just plug the VDR-D310 into the wall.

You do plug in the camcorder to transfer video or stills to a PC, and when finalizing a DVD disc (to make it readable in other devices). This makes sense--given that losing power would result in an unreadable disc--but requiring AC power for transferring files, especially stills from the SD card, seems like overkill; most digital cameras can transfer files on battery power alone.

Panasonic HDC-DX1

2008-01-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

In November, 2006, Panasonic announced it’s first direct-to-DVD digital camcorder. The Panasonic HDC-DX1, along with the just announced HDC-SD1, mark Panasonic’s first foray into the AVCHD market. The HDC-DX1 records HD footage onto MiniDVD and supports the new dual layer MiniDVDs. It features 3 1/4″ CCDs that will hopefully translate into the high color and picture quality we have come to expect from Panasonic 3 CCD camcorders.

Other features on the Panasonic HDC-DX1 include a 12x Leica lens, 3 inch LCD screen, and the ability to record in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. HDMI output is also included for the best possible connection quality to HD TVs. Finally, external microphone jacks are built-in for use with your favorite microphone.

The Panasonic HDC-DX1 records HD video using the AVCHD codec, which it jointly created with Sony. At this time, there is no real way to edit the footage, and one must also own a pretty high-end computer to use any bundled software.

The release date for the Panasonic HDC-DX1 is slated for December 15th in Japan. No word on a U.S. release, although you can bet it will be forthcoming. The price is going to be $1,350.

digitalcamcordernews.com

Hitachi DZ-HS300A

2008-01-29T18:19:00.000-08:00

The Hitachi DZ-HS300A ($599 MSRP) is an interesting camcorder, even in a year marked by a veritable flowering of diversity. There are standard definition cams that record to DVD, flash, HDD, and tape in DV and numerous flavors of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compression, not to mention a wide range of HD cams that record to as many media types. The Hitachi DZ-HS300A marks another emerging trend: dual media video recording, to both DVDs or to an onboard 8GB HDD. If you’ve ever spent a day recording a family reunion with a DVD camcorder, and filled up a fistful of DVDs before lunch, you already may have fantasized about this unit...

camcorderinfo.com

Canon DC220

2008-01-29T18:18:00.001-08:00

Canon DC220 is a respectable entry-level DVD camcorder sporting familiar specs and features: a single 1/6 CCD, electronic image stabilization, a 2.7” LCD, and a modest but effective array of manual controls. The Canon DC220 DVD camcorder offers the convenience of viewing and sharing DVD discs, whether shooting in 16:9 Widescreen HR (high resolution) format for their widescreen Television (without resorting to cropping or stretching the scene), or bringing distant subjects and scenes up close and personal. Canon's DC220 camcorder makes video excellence and video ease two sides of the same coin. Available in March 2007, the Canon DC220 Camcorder carries an estimated selling price of $449.

Canon DC50

2008-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

Canon DC50 Camcorder is easy way for discerning video enthusiasts and photo buffs seeking and easy way to take, view and share vibrant video and spectacular photos.It is incorporates a robust 5.39 Megapixel CCD Image Sensor with an RGB Primary Color Filter that provides vibrantly coloured video and 5 Megapixel photos, including the camcorder's Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens, 9-point AiAF auto focus that helps ensure that subjects are in focus however far off center they appear in the frame..

With Canon 10x optical / 200x digital zoom lens, the Canon DC50 DVD Camcorders accept three-inch DVD-R/-RW discs, which can store up to 60 minutes of video on a single layer disc, or up to 108 minutes of video on dual layer disc. Canon's DC50 DVD estimated selling price of $799.