At their CES 2012 press event, Sony released their newest refresh to the Handycam camcorder lineup. Specifically, they debuted the HDR-PJ760V and HDR-CX760V, but I’m sure you don’t care much about the model numbers. What you probably care about most is what these beasts can do. The camcorders can capture full HD 24p and 60p video along with an astounding 24.1 megapixel still image. They’re also touting their newest “Balanced Optical Steadyshot (I think I see a theme here too)” which is an image stabilizer that controls the entire optical path, including the image sensor, as one floating unit. They claim that this feature can make the camera 13 times more stable than its predecessor. Welcome news if you’ve ever tried to keep a device as small as their Handycam steady in your hands.
In the new lineup, they’ve also seen fit to include a new wide-angle (26.0mm) Carl Zeiss lens, tilting electronic View Finder, and a 17X digital zoom which we hope you never have to use.
Sony has also kept their same Handycam camcorders with built-in projectors from last year by updating the image to be twice as bright as it previously was. They’ve also kept the EXMOR R CMOS image sensor and have included some professional features such as manual control of Iris/Shutter/Exposure/White Balance, an Expanded Focus for making sure the image isn’t slightly blurry, and Zebra and Peaking settings. Not bad for a camcorder at this size and price.
We’re not done yet. Sony also updated last year’s first Double Full HD 3D camcorder lineup by adding the HDR-TD20V. If you recall, we reviewed its predecessor, the TD10 this last year in Videomaker magazine to some acclaim. Now, the new camcorder is actually 2/3rds the size of the TD10, weighing in at only 1.02 pounds. Sony also included the ability to geotag with it’s built-in GPS receiver for those who want to remember right where they were when each shot was taken.
Each of Sony’s Handycam camcorders can shoot 1920×1080 resolutions at up to 24 Mbps which should make for some high-quality HD content when editing. They also allow for Dual Recording of video and still images (though most of them do these days), and have some of the best image stabilization techniques in the business. All these factors combined make the new lineup from Sony very exciting. We’ll give you more details about how each of these camcorders fare in future reviews!
After the big announcements from Sony and Canon this year, it’s no surprise that Panasonic, a leader in professional camcorders, decided to get its feet wet by announcing their own 3D camcorder – the HDC-Z10000. The camcorder does have a number of great features that should make it a solid contender in the 3D world. First off, it has the ability to switch between 2D and 3D shooting, it records images in the 3D AVCHD format using the frame sequential method (meaning it records a full frame for each lens on the camcorder), can zoom up to 10X, and has a wide 32mm angle of view. The lenses have f-stops as low as 1.5 in order to capture great footage even in low light situations as well as two independent 3MOS sensors for each lens which should allow each eye’s picture to look its best.
The great features don’t stop there though. This camera also records in full 1920x1080p (which is expected) but can do so at a full 60 frames per second without any interlacing – a relief for any videographer. Like many 3D camcorders coming out on the market, the LCD display can show 3D images glasses free making it easy to see what your final result will be. However, it remains to be seen how effective their version of the technology is.
In the past, Panasonic has won over the prosumer world by having plenty of external controls on their camcorders and the Z1000 is no exception. It has a ring for focus, zoom, and iris giving it a real pro feel, and buttons for OIS, white balance, zebra bars, and many more. Panasonic also decided to include two XLR ports giving this camcorder a bigger edge than most of the camcorders being released today. Lastly, the Z10000 also has two SD card slots with relay recording making it possible to record live events for many hours without the fear of running out of card space. This is quite the improvement over their consumer model which debuted at CES last year.
With all of the amazing features this camcorder has, you’re probably thinking it costs more than $5,000. If so, you might be surprised to know that Panasonic plans to sell the Z10000 for only $3500 and will be shipping in December. With a price point this good, it’s easy to predict that this camcorder will likely be the prosumer choice for 3D shooting soon!
Re-defining digital acquistion in the last year, ARRI‘s Alexa camera system provides stunning imagery and has proven to be easy to use and and reliable. The ARRI Alexa M model will feature the same exceptional image quality that has made Alexa popular.
Having a separate small and low weight head connected with a fiber optic cable to its body, The ARRI Alexa M offers the greatest flexibility when used on lightweight 3D setups. Images, sound and metadata can be recorded onto SxS cards or on external recording devices, offering different kinds of workflows. Alexa M has a PL mount, works with all existing 35mm lenses and is compatible with a wide range of ARRI accessories.
“The Alexa M camera system is designed for mobile 2D and 3D camera configurations, offering the same unparalleled image quality, reliability and workflow options as all other cameras in the Alexa product range,” explained ARRI managing director Martin Prillmann, “Serial production and sales release of the Alexa M to all customers will commence during the first quarter of 2012.”
JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., unveiled the new GY-HMZ1U ProHD 3D camcorder today at the 2011 NAB Show (Booth C4314) . With an integrated 3D twin lens design powered by JVC’s proprietary large-scale integration (LSI) chip for high-speed processing of HD video, the GY-HMZ1U can simultaneously record each left and right image in full 1920×1080 resolution.
The handheld camcorder features dual 3.32 megapixel CMOS sensors – one for each lens – and delivers 34 Mbps AVCHD recording in 3D or 24 Mbps in 2D. Video can be recorded with timecode at 60i to provide smooth motion (for sports and other fast action) or 24p for a film-like effect. The GY-HMZ1U can also capture 3D time lapse and 3D digital stills.
“With the new GY-HMZ1U, video production professionals get true 3D with full HD resolution,” said Craig Yanagi, national marketing and brand manager. “3D production can be extremely complex, but JVC’s new ProHD camcorder makes 3D more accessible to independent filmmakers, commercial and corporate production houses, and even educational markets.”
Equipped with an advanced image stabilizer, the twin F1.2 HD lenses offer a 5x optical zoom in 3D and 10x optical zoom in 2D. Video is recorded to non-proprietary SDHC or SDXC media cards or to the camera’s built-in 80GB internal memory. The GY-HMZ1U’s 3.5-inch color LCD touch panel offers glasses-free 3D viewing and built-in tools like zebra pattern. Other professional features include a handle with dual XLR mic inputs and shotgun microphone mount (mic optional).
The GY-HMZ1U will be available this fall and market priced under $2,500.
CES 2011 may forever be remembered as the year 3D HD shooting became affordable. There were many companies that jumped on the 3D bandwagon this year including JVC and Panasonic, but nowhere was this more evident than at Sony’s booth. Sony left no doubt where they were putting their time and money when they started off the show with a room filling you-go-to-be-there-to-believe-it 3D screen that displayed all of their newest 3D tech in 3D glory. Of all of the tech though, one of their most exciting announcements was the creation of the world’s first Full Double HD 3D camcorder, the HDR-TD10. This camcorder was able to film in 1920×1080 had a 10x optical zoom, manual iris control, shot at up to 60 fps, had a back-illuminated CMOS sensor for better low light capabilities, and included a 3.5 inch glasses-free 3D LCD display. All of this made for one impressive camera but don’t take our word for it, check out the video we shot below. The camera is available for $1499
Going to the theater for 3D movies is going to change because viewers may now create their own 3D movies. To make this happen, JVC revealed a 3D HD camcorder at CES 2011, which is capable of shooting with two 3.32 megapixel CMOS sensors and a fast imaging engine that processes both the left and right 1920 x 1080i images within a single chip.
Expected features include 5x optical zoom, 3.5 inch touch screen and 64GB internal memory and room to expand with a SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. The GS-TD1 is aimed at being easy to use, so no glasses are needed to monitor while shooting, and takes 3D stills as well. The Everio MediaBrowser is designed to help organize each created file and make it easy to share on social networks. The $2,000 camcorder is set to hit stores everywhere in March.
If you can’t wait until March to see one take a look at what we saw at the show below:
With all of the incredible technological announcements at CES, it is hard to stand out from the crowd. Even so, when Panasonic announced that it would be releasing a camcorder that could shoot in both 2D HD and 3D HD using an interchangeable lens adapter, we just had to see it to believe it. The camera has a Full HD 3MOS sensor, can film at 1080/60p, has a manual ring, a 20x zoom, and a 3.5 inch touch-screen LCD, and 32 GB of internal memory. Of course the camera also has the ability to record on an SDXC card for hours of 3D video. Instead of listening to us go on about its features, take a look at the camera in the video below and judge for yourself. There is no price set for this product.
Panasonic may have crushed your dreams of ever purchasing a 3D camcorder (the list price for their AG-3DA1 camcorder: $21,000), but that shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your quest to make a 3D movie of your own. All you need is a little inspiration, perspiration, and about $250.
Recently, Ron Proctor and Amy Jo Proctor, from the Scientific Analysis and Visualization Initiative (SAVI) at Weber State University, revealed their Do-It-Yourself 3D camcorder. Mounting two HD pocket cams side-by-side, they were able to create a stereoscopic video, which was then converted to an anaglyph video.
Others have offered their own DIY 3D camcorder creations, like Daniel Phelps who uses a different approach to mount two HD pocket cams side-by-side. An added bonus to his contraption is a remote control for synced recording. His video, The Alley, was shot using his dual camera mount.
As independent videographers, it’s easy to get discouraged when you lack the funds to buy the equipment you need (or want). However, with some creativity, and a tip or two from your peers, you too can DIY for a fraction of the cost.
If you’re looking for DIY projects or would like to share some ideas of your own, check out our newest Videomaker Forum category for DIY projects, personal tutorials, and much more.
I had the chance to examine Panasonic’s HD 3D camcorder the day before it was announced at their press conference. It records on SD flash media. The camcorder is for the professional market, but it is small in size. I was able to operate it with one hand, but it was not long enough to rest on my shoulder, so it was a little heavy.
Unlike typical 2D video (where both of the viewer’s eyes see the same image), 3D imaging relies upon serving each of the viewer’s eyes with a different image. This requires the camcorder to record two video signals, therefore, it has two lenses, two image sensors and two SD card slots. The camera operator can choose the point of convergence of the two images. Playback of the 3D video requires a 3D monitor (LCD or Plasma) with two video jacks, and the viewer must wear battery-powered 3D glasses.
I just saw the motion picture Avatar in 3D a few days ago. It was an incredible experience. Little did I know that, less than a week later, I would be holding a 3D camcorder in my hand. The image from Panasonic’s 3D camcorder is incredible.
At their CES 2012 press event, Sony released their newest refresh to the Handycam camcorder lineup. Specifically, they debuted the HDR-PJ760V and HDR-CX760V, but I’m sure you don’t care much about the model numbers. What you probably care about most is what these beasts can do. The camcorders can capture full HD 24p and 60p video along with an astounding 24.1 megapixel still image. They’re also touting their newest “Balanced Optical Steadyshot (I think I see a theme here too)” which is an image stabilizer that controls the entire optical path, including the image sensor, as one floating unit. They claim that this feature can make the camera 13 times more stable than its predecessor. Welcome news if you’ve ever tried to keep a device as small as their Handycam steady in your hands.
I had the chance to examine Panasonic’s HD 3D camcorder the day before it was announced at their press conference. It records on SD flash media. The camcorder is for the professional market, but it is small in size. I was able to operate it with one hand, but it was not long enough to rest on my shoulder, so it was a little heavy. 
Recent Comments