Jun 8, 2009 08:00 AM
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Nothing about the hardware Panasonic's new camcorders is going to do much to liven ye olde pantaloons, and that's fine. The HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 aren't meant to be cutting edge. Instead, they're cheap—under $600—and super-light, at just .5lbs.
It's a smart strategy, since consumer-grade 1080p camcorders, like point-and-shoot cameras, are hugely common and rarely differentiated by more than a few minor features. The three factors that really stand out to people are looks, weight and price—two of which Panasonic has taken great pains to emphasize here, even slapping a dubious and qualified "world's lightest" claim onto their marketing materials.
The SD10 and TM10 are set apart by storage options, with the TM10 carrying 8GB of internal storage alongside its SDHC slot—the only storage facility on the SD10. Otherwise, they're both more or less identical: 1080p AVCHD video recording; 2.1MP still shooting;an inbuilt Optical Image Stabilizer; a touchscreen fold-out LCD; a three second pre-record funciton; and a 1.9-second claimed startup time. And of course, on the all-important matter of price, the cameras ring up at a respectable $550 for the SD10, and $600 for the TM10, available from September. The full press release:
PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE WORLD'S LIGHTEST*
HIGH DEFINITION CAMCORDERSNew HD Camcorders Weigh 0.5 LB, Packed with Easy-to-Use, Advanced Features
Secaucus, NJ (June 8, 2009) – Panasonic today announced the release of two of the world's lightest*, High Definition (HD) camcorders – the HDC-SD10, which uses an SDHC/SD Memory Card as recording media, and the Twin Memory Type HDC-TM10, which records onto both an 8GB** Built-in Memory and an SDHC/SD Memory Card. Each model weighs just 0.5 LB, yet its compact body design has a high-powered 16x optical zoom capabilities and advanced features to produce beautiful 1920 x 1080 Full-HD videos.
The 16x optical zoom of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 is supported by the Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) function – an essential element to achieve clear zooming, as it minimizes the hand-shake that often impairs video quality while zooming. Panasonic's Advanced OIS detects and corrects for hand-shake around 4,000 times per second and works with the high-powered optical zoom to produce clear, stable zoom shots. The new Active mode also extends the hand-shake correction range to allow the shooting of clear, crisp images while walking or moving.
"We recognize that users are looking for camcorders that capture high-quality, High Definition video, but they also want something lightweight that has advanced, yet easy-to-use functions," said Chuck Kirkman, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With the SD10 and TM10, we've made it easier to record HD video with features such as Advanced O.I.S., Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and the Pre-Rec function, all which maximize shooting results and minimize common issues like blurring."
As with most Panasonic camcorders, the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 both feature the iA (Intelligent Auto)*** function, which automatically sets the most suitable Scene mode according to shooting conditions. These include Advanced O.I.S., Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast; and Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the Scene setting that will provide optimal results. Both camcorders are also equipped with AF/AE Tracking (Auto Focus/Auto Exposure Tracking), which automatically tracks a moving subject for consistently beautiful images. This feature maintains the focus and exposure even if the subject moves or turns to one side.
Other features of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 include:
SDHC/SD Memory Card Recording – The SDHC/SD Memory Card not only brings significant advantages to smaller and lighter camcorders, but it also differs from a hard-disk drive in that it has no transport mechanism, making it highly shock-resistant and enabling faster recording starts.
Twin Memory Recording – Relay Recording (HDC-TM10 Only) – The HDC-TM10 records Full-HD images onto the built-in memory or an SDHC/SD Memory Card (optional), and features a Relay Recording function. When the built-in memory is full, this function automatically switches the recording media to the SDHC/SD Memory Card to provide uninterrupted recording. Video data that is recorded using both media types can be merged inside the camcorder and saved to an SDHC/SD Memory Card.****
Touch Screen and Handy Function Buttons – Both models feature a touch screen that lets users operate a variety of functions by simply touching an icon displayed on the LCD. This allows intuitive operation without having to look away from the subject.
1.9-sec Quick Power-On – The power turns on and off by opening and closing the LCD. This start-up allows users to save battery power by keeping the power turned off when the camcorder is not in use, while making sure that unexpected shooting opportunities are not lost. The power-saving Eco mode***** automatically turns the power off when the camcorder is not in use for five minutes.
Pre-Rec – To avoid missing critical shooting opportunities, when the Pre-Rec function is on, the camcorder continuously records three seconds of images into an internal buffer memory. When the Record button is actually pressed, the three seconds immediately prior are added to the beginning of the clip.
Auto Power LCD – This feature automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen according to the shooting conditions.
Built-in Video Light and Flash – Both the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are equipped with a video light and flash for convenience when shooting in dimly lit places.
Highlight Playback – This function is for users who want to view recorded images quickly, as "highlights" can be created and played back according to a set time interval.
One-Touch Copy of Videos to DVD and Easy Playback with the BN1 DVD Burner – To avoid the two-step process previously required to save Full-HD videos from an SDHC/SD Memory Card or built-in memory onto a DVD for playback, the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 feature a one-touch function that makes this process easier.The HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are both compatible with Panasonic's VIERA Link to allow quick and easy viewing of Full-HD video content, as well as with the VIERA Image Viewer function on a VIERA HDTV. This allows users to play videos on a large screen by simply inserting a recorded SDHC/SD Memory Card into the SD Card slot of a Panasonic VIERA HDTV******. It provides instant playback of video clips recorded in the AVCHD format in Full-HD quality. Similarly, video recordings can be easily played by using a Panasonic Blu-ray Disc™ player.
The suggested retail prices of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are $549.95 and $599.95 respectively. The TM10 will be available in black and silver models, while the SD10 in black only. All models will be available in September 2009.
* For AVCHD format Full-HD camcorders, as of June 8, 2009.
**1GB=1,073,741,824 bytes. Usable capacity will be less
*** The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.
**** The SDHC/SD Memory Card must have memory space available that is larger than the data in the built-in memory to be merged.
***** Set to ON when shipped from the factory.
****** P54Z1, P65V10/P58V10/P54V10/P50V10, P50G15/P46G15/P42G15/P54G10/P50G10/P46G10/P42G10
Send an email to John Herrman, the author of this post, at jherrman@gizmodo.com.
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