2007 New Camcorder Roundup (page 2)

Panasonic's Mini DV line for 2007 includes the PV-GS80 ($300), which includes optical image stabilization and a 32x optical zoom lens and a 2.7" widescreen LCD. The PV-GS85 ($350) adds 3.1-megapixel still image recording. The PV-GS320 ($500) is a 3-CCD camcorder that upgrades to a Leica Dicomar ED lens with 10x optical zoom.

Two hybrid DVD/SD card camcorders, the SDR-H20 ($600) and the SDR-H200 ($800) include 30GB hard drives, optical image stabilization and 2.7" widescreen LCDs. The SDR-H20 is a single-CCD camcorder with a 32x optical zoom lens, while the SDR-H200 is a 3-CCD camcorder with a 10x optical zoom lens.

Panasonic's DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL camcorders include the $450 VDR-D210, the $500 VDR-D230 and the $700 VDR-D310. All include MPEG-2 compression with variable bit rate encoding, along with optical image stabilization, 2.7" widescreen LCDs and 16:9 recording modes. The VDR-D210 includes a 32x optical zoom lens. The VDR-D230 adds an LED video light and USB 2.0 port, along with some software. The VDR-310 upgrades the optical system to a 3-CCD design with 10x optical zoom Leica lens.

Panasonic showed off its first AVCHD camcorders at CES, the HDC-SD1 ($1,500) and HDC-DX1 ($1,400). Both are 3-CCD designs that include Leica lenses and optical image stabilization. The HDC-SD1 can record for approximately one hour of HD onto a 4GB SDHC card, and the HDC-DX1 can record about 40 minutes of HD onto a dual-layer DVD-R. The camcorders include five discrete microphones for 5.1-channel recording.

Sanyo's VPC-HD2 records 720p video in MPEG-4 at 9Mbps, and utilizes a 7.21-megapixel CCD and 10x optical zoom lens. It includes some in-camera editing functionality, and its docking station includes an HDMI interface. The camcorder can record to either SD or SDHC cards, and also includes an SD recording mode tailored for use with portable media players. A 2.2" LCD viewscreen rounds out the list of features.

Sony showed off the HDR-UX5 ($1,000) and HDR-UX7 ($1,300) AVCHD camcorders, along with the HDR-HC5 ($1,100) and HDR-HC7 ($1,400) HDV camcorders. All four camcorders include Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, Sony's ClearVid CMOS sensors and utilize Sony's new x.v.Color technology, based on the new xvYCC color standard. The UX5 and HC5 include 2-megapixel CMOS sensors. The UX7 and HC7 upgrade to 3-megapixel CMOS sensors and optical image stabilization.

All of this year's DVD camcorders, DCR-DVD108 ($400), DCR-DVD308 ($500), DCR-DVD408 ($700) and DCR-DVD508 ($900) record onto DVD-R/ -RW/+RW/+R DL, include USB 2.0 ports, can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound and can use Sony's Bluetooth mic for the center channel of audio. The DCR-DVD108 includes a 40x optical zoom lens. The DCR-DVD508 utilizes a 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS chip and includes optical image stabilization.

Mini DV is not forgotten, with the DCR-HC28 ($280), DCR-HC38 ($330) and DCR-HC48 ($400). The DCR-HC28 is the baseline, but still offers Carl Zeiss optics. Sony is touting the battery life of their new camcorders - with the optional FH100 battery, the HC28 is able to shoot for up to 14 hours. The HC38 includes a 40x optical zoom lens and adds an on-screen usage guide. The HC48 uses a 25x optical zoom lens, adds a wide LCD screen and ships with the Handycam Station, allowing you to maintain a connection with a TV, computer or printer.

Sony completes its offerings with a line of hard drive camcorders, the DCR-SR42 ($600), DCR-SR62 ($650), DCR-SR82 ($750), DCR-SR200 ($850) and DCR-SR300 ($1,000). All ship with DVD authoring software and a Handycam Station which additionally connects to Sony's DVDirect DVD burner. The DCR-SR42 includes a 40x optical zoom and 30GB hard drive. The DCR-SR62 adds a 2.7" widescreen touchscreen LCD. The DCR-SR82 upgrades to a 60GB hard drive. The DCR-SR200 backs down to a 40GB hard dive, but adds Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording with Bluetooth mic support. The SR300 upgrades to 4/6-megapixel stills and adds optical image stabilization and the ability to record up to three seconds of 240fps video for further slow-motion analysis.

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