Digital Camera Reviews

Toshiba has announced two new Full HD pocket camcorders to its range by
launching the Camileo P20 and S30. These easy-to-use camcorders are equipped with a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor (P20), an 8-megapixel CMOS image sensor (S30), a 10x digital zoom, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a mini-USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port and can record 1920 x 1080p Full HD video at 30fps. The Camileo P20 and S30 will become available soon for 120 GBP (about $185) and 140 GBP (about $216), respectively.

Samsung is preparing to unleash another Full HD camcorder into the market. Dubbed as the HMX-T10, this compact yet stylish camcorder boasts a 5.1-megapixel BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, a 20-degree slanted lens, a 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD display, an SD/SDHC memory card slot and has the ability to capture both 1080p Full HD video at 60fps as well as 4.7-megapixel digital still images. The Samsung HMX-T10 will hit stores later this month for $299.

Sony is proud to present their newest pocket HD Camcorder, the Bloggie Touch. Measuring 15.2mm x 107mm x 52mm and weighing 125 grams, this ultra-compact video camera is equipped with a sensitive Exmor CMOS image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, a 4GB/8GB of storage, a flip-out USB arm, an HDMI output and can captures both 1920 x 1080p Full HD video (30fps) as well as up to 12.8 digital still images. The Bloggie Touch will start shipping in October for $180 (4GB) and $200 (8GB), respectively.

Check out the latest Full HD camcorder from Thanko, the HDDV-506. This compact camcorder sports a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch TFT LCD display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32GB), a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port and has the ability to capture both 1920 x 1080p Full HD video at 30fps as well as up to 12-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode). The Thanko HDDV-506 sells for about $175.

Sanyo comes back to the portable camcorder market by releasing the new Sanyo VPC-PD2BK. The lightweight HD video recorder is able to record 1920×1080 30p videos or capture 10 megapixel still pictures. The Sanyo VPC-PD2BK features a 3x optical zoom, a couple of microphones that record stereo sound, a USB port and a memory card slot that supports SD, SDHC or ultra-high capacity SDXC (up to 64GB) memory cards. The Sanyo VPC-PD2BK will be available for purchase in September 2010 for $169.99 each.

Priced at just $105.45, this compact camcorder sports a 5-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CMOS image sensor, a 2x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch TFT LCD display, a 128MB of internal memory, an SD card slot (2GB card included), a USB 2.0 interface and is able to capture both 720 x 480p video at 30fps as well as up to 16-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode).

Praktica has announced a new Full HD camcorder to its line-up by introducing the Praktica DVC 10.4 HDMI. This compact camcorder sports a 10-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor, a 12x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch TFT touchscreen display, a 128MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port and has the ability to capture both 1920 x 1080p Full HD video at 30fps as well as up to 20-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode).

If you are searching for an affordable waterproof HD camcorder, then check out the Exemode DV5000UW. This portable camcorder is able to record both HD quality videos and 4000 x 3000 pixel pictures. The DV5000UW has a 32MB of internal memory, a 5.17MP sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, an HDMI out, and an SDHC card slot (up to 16GB). Measuring 48.2mm x 66.9mm x 116.2mm and weighing 220 grams, the Exemode DV5000UW is priced at 12,800 Yen ($149).

Finding yourself a new pocket camcorder with a reasonable price? If you do, why don’t you to check out the DDV-A700 from DigiLife. Powered by two AA batteries, this ultra-compact video camera sports a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor, an 8x digital zoom, a 2.4-inch TFT LCD display, a 64MB of internal memory, an SD/MMC card slot (up to 4GB), an MP3 player, a webcam function and has the ability to capture both 640 x 480 video at 30fps as well as 11-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode). The DigiLife DDV-A700 sells for only $82.99.

The new BenQ S21 is not your ordinary camcorder because it comes equipped with an infrared night vision and a motion detection features. This video recorder also supports a 3-inch LCD camcorder with a touchscreen navigation, a Full HD 1080p video and a 16MP (albeit interpolated) still images. The camera comes with a dual power source (lithium-ion battery and ordinary AA batteries), and the dual SD card slots double the storage capacity allowing you to use another SD card in the second slot whenever the first SD card is full. The BenQ S21 will be available in China/ Asia Pacific later this month.

The Sony DCR-SX83 16GB Handycam Camcorder is a standard definition camcorder that brings a number of features and functions to the table, while remaining budget-conscious. This camcorder, like all other Sony’s announced in early 2010, has multiple recording media options. In addition to the 16GB embedded, or internal, flash memory, the SX83 gives you the choice of recording to optional Sony Memory Stick Media (including Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo) or to popular SD/SDHC memory cards.

Helping to capture all the 720 x 480 video, or 3.1MP still images, is the camera’s 1/4″ back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor. This imager maximizes the camera’s light gathering capabilities thus allowing you to capture more detailed and cleaner, or less grainy, images in lower lighting situations. In concert with the Exmor R sensor, the SX83′s Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens brings the reputation and quality of Carl Zeiss optics to the table, while Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization helps to cut down on blur caused by camera shake. Another important function, the camera’s 25x optical zoom helps you to narrow in on your subject with clarity, while the 2.7″ Clear Photo LCD provides a widescreen platform for composition and playback, along with 270° of rotation, and touch panel operation. Read the rest of this entry »

Still true to MiniDV? Then you’ll love the Sony HDR-HC9 MiniDV High Definition Handycam Camcorder. Get the quality of HD with MiniDV and capture stills to Memory Stick media for fast transferring to your PC or other Memory Stick compatible device for emailing or printing. The HC9 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T professional quality lens, 10x optical zoom and a 3.2Mp CMOS sensor for excellent video.

Super SteadyShot image stabilization protects against the age old problem of handshake with even more accuracy than ever before. In addition, The 2.7″ touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display boasts user-friendly menus and widescreen viewing for recording and playback. An HDMI connection provides fast transfer of audio and video in single cable. The HDR-HC9 is just the right blend of old and new coming together for an amazing video experience.

Sony’s entry-level HDR-XR100 80GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder offers up true 1080 x 1920 high definition recording and the convenience of internal media, at an affordable price. The camera’s hard disk drive holds almost 32 hours of HD video and 4MP still images, while optional Memory Stick Duo media provides additional storage.

Helping you to capture all that beautiful footage would be the job of 1/5″ Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor, along with the 10x optical zoom and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. The 2.7″ wide touch panel LCD with 270° of rotation helps you compose accurate shots and makes for easier viewing upon playback. In addition, the HDR-XR100 also boasts other user-friendly features like Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology that ensure everyone in the frame looks their best.

Sony’s HDR-XR550V 240GB Handycam Camcorder provides up to 100 hours of high def recording to an internal hard disk drive (HDD), GPS capabilities, and a myriad of other features and functions. In addition to the large HDD, Sony also gave the XR550V the ability to record to proprietary Memory Stick media, or to SD/SDHC memory cards. Transfer video and still images from the HDD to removable media for easy uploading, and to free up space on the camera when you can’t get to a PC.

The XR550V captures 1920 x 1080i HD video and 12MP stills. The camera also offers up 1080/60p output to HDTV, and features like Dual Recording that allow you to record video and take a still shot at the same time. Other options such as 24Mbps AVCHD video capture help you to get the most out of your memories.

At the core of the XR550V you’ll find a 1/2.88″ back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, a generous 3.5″ Xtra Fine LCD display, a 0.27″ color viewfinder, and other functions like 10x optical zoom, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, and a Wide Angle G-Lens. Other features like Sony’s BIONZ Image Processor, BRAVIA Sync technology, and an HDMI connection all come into play as well.

The built-in GPS receiver with NAVTEQ maps, one of the most notable features on the XR550V, gives you the ability to geotag your video or still images for quick retrieval options, geotagging your footage online, and for keeping everything organized according to place. The GPS receiver also automatically adjusts the camcorder’s clock to the proper time zone, making it the ideal partner no matter where in the world you find yourself.

Sony’s MHS-CM5 bloggie Camera (Violet) is a high definition pocket camcorder that sports a pistol-grip design along with a number of features and functions. In addition to 1920 x 1080p MP4 video capture, the CM5 also take 5MP stills. The camera has “Movie” and “Still” buttons for switching between still or video capture as well.

When it comes to what makes the CM5 tick, you’ll find all the same features that the big guys, consumer camcorders, use too. There’s a 5MP CMOS sensor that helps to capture video and still images with clarity, a 2.5″ swivel LCD that rotates up to 270°, and even 5x optical zoom for capturing far off subjects. Other important core features include Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization, which cuts down on blur caused by motion, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Read the rest of this entry »