Don’t worry, lone gunslingers, today isn’t just about the NEX-FS700. Sony’s pro range has also been bolstered with the HXR-NX30 for videographers who need to travel light. This model sacrifices interchangeable lenses in favor of a palm-friendly form factor with a 26mm-260mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens. The camera sports Sony’s ‘Balanced Optical SteadyShot’ technology, which means both the lens and the sensor assembly are floated as a single element to minimize camera shake. Unlike that of the larger NEX-VG20, the HXR-NX30′s sensor is shrunken too: it’s an Exmor R CMOS that’s only slightly larger than 1/3-inch. The North American NX30U variant handles 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 30p and 24p, as well as 60i and 720/60p, stored as AVCHD on the camera’s 96GB of internal memory. A detachable XLR unit takes care of pro-quality audio. Weirdly, the HXR-NX30 even houses a built-in projector that plays back 100-inch footage from a distance of 16 feet. It’s an interesting feature, but will it be worth its weight? Further specs and a promo video await after the break.

What would you pay for the ability to capture cinema quality 4K video? $36,000? $18,000? Try $9,000. That’s the expected price of Sony’s rumored NEX-FS700E, which could launch at NAB next month with a June ship date. EOSHD reports that the camera will pipe 4K video to a dedicated external recorder over 3G HD-SDI. It will reportedly use the same NEX E-mount as its predecessor, the FS100, and may include a trio of neutral density filters to increase versatility. We haven’t been able to track down an image of the rumored cinema cam (the model in that image above looks identical to the FS100), but we wouldn’t be surprised to see another detail or two leak out before the broadcast community’s annual Vegas gathering kicks off in a little over two weeks. For its part, Canon is also expected to announce a 4K EOS-format DSLR at NAB, as a less-expensive alternative to the $16,000 C300, while RED’s Scarlet already has 4K capabilities, and a $9,000 price tag.

SOURCE via EosHD

Not satisfied with unveiling a whole bunch of point-and-click shooters, Samsung’s also unveiled a refreshed set of camcorders for 2012. First up, the QF20 and Q20 totes the same switch grip features of its predecessor and are capable of 1080i HD video, while packing 20x optical zoom, a touchscreen display plus a medley of requisite artistic effects. The rough and tumble W300 and W350 are for the sporting videographer; dust-proof, shock-proof to two meters and water-proof to up to five meters. It records 1080 HD video, with an optional floating bumper accessory incoming for those Jaws homages. There’s also a five megapixel sensor and f/2.2 lens for your rugged stills. Finally, there’s the F80, which ups the optical zoom to 52x, 720p recording at 30fps. For those willing to upscale, there’s also a 1080i option through HDMI, which can also display any five megapixel stills snapped from great distances. No dates for when we’ll see these in stores — or price tags — but expect to see them this side of 2012.

Alongside its new Lumix snappers, Panasonic just dropped a bunch of new HD camcorders at CES. It’s the 1MOS models that get the most vigorous make over, with six new 1920 x 1080 shooting cams in total.

The HC-V700 and HC-V700M are the new top of the 1MOS line; armed with a proprietary High Sensitivity Sensor, promising better indoor and night-time shots, there’s also 3D capture when used with the new VW-CLT2 conversion lens, plus a 21x optical and 46x “high-powered’ (we guess digital) zoom. The mid-range HC-V500/M cameras have a 2D to 3D image conversion function (also found in the V700s) as well as Natural, Pop, Dynamic & Classical special effects modes and 38x optical / 50x digital zoom. For the less feature-fanatical are the HC-V100 and HC-V100M which have lower power consumption for longer shooting despite a smaller 2.028 x 2.343 x 4.429 inch form. If you were wondering what makes the M models different, the answer would be 16GB built-in storage.

Three other single models also got a trotting out, starting with the HC-X900M, for those who find just one MOS simply isn’t enough. The HC-X900M is Panasonic’s new full HD 3MOS video shooter and is the follow up to last year’s HDC-HS900. Full 1080p at 28Mbps is complemented by Panasonic’s new 3MOS System Pro imaging system, which it claims reduces noise by 40 percent over the HDC-HS900. To round out the features we have 32GB onboard storage (with SD expansion), improved O.I.S., zoom mic functionality (linked to the zoom action) and a 1,150,000-dot 8.8-cm / 3.5-inch LCD.

Next up is the waterproof HX-WA2, which will survive a three meter dip in the pool (or nine feet, eight inches). Other treats for adventurous types include 14 megapixel stills shooting, a panoramic mode (simply pan the camera up,down,left and right) and 15x zoom. Oh and will it will be available in blue or orange, of course.

Last, and kinda least is the HC-V10, a compact HD cam for those on-the-go moments. With iA auto mode and pre-rec function — that starts recording when you aim at a subject — this model is clearly built with those OMG youtube moments in mind. You also get a crazy 63x optical zoom and a choice of colors: black, silver or red.

There’s no word on price or availability yet, but Panasonic tells us it’ll part with these crucial details at least 30 days prior to when the devices finally ship.

There’s a new camcorder for cyclist and adventurers alike. From the famous company that brought you the ContourGPS, this new camcorder is called the Contour+, aka Contour Plus. As usual, it’s a helmet cam from Contour, and this new imager captures 1080p video at 30fps, and also packs built-in GPS plus Bluetooth v2.1 — the latter’s for the wireless viewfinder app on iOS and, eventually, Android.

The Contour+ does indeed come with a mini HDMI-out port alongside the microSD slot on the back. you’ll also find an HDMI cable in the box to get you going. And of course, let’s not forget the new super-wide lens (still rotatable) that does 170 degrees for 960p and 720p recording, or 125 degrees for 1080p. Both modes best the camera’s predecessor, though the trade-off is the lack of dual-alignment lasers. If this isn’t a problem for you, then feel free to shell out $499.99 when it launches on May 18th.

SOURCE via Contour

Olympus, the camera company, is ready to dive into the pocket camcorders market, with the announcement of the LS-20M, a handheld whose relatively high-end audio specs should help it go toe-to-toe with Zoom.

In addition to 1080p video, the LS-20M records 24 bit / 96 mHz Linear PCM audio using a pair of condenser mics. It has a small 2-inch screen and no optical zoom, but at least Olympus borrowed four of the visual effects that make its PEN cameras so fun to use. Well, can’t complain much, since the thing is only $300. The LS-20M will be arriving in June.

SOURCE via Olympus

Kodak has announced three new products for you to film your High Definition videos, beautiful photos, and play them in your living room. Let’s check them out!

“Kodak has firmly established itself as a leader in the digital pocket video camera space since introducing its line in 2008, and continues to be one of the most highly rated and recommended in this category,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “We’re committed to providing our consumers with innovative and intuitive products that satisfy their needs. Whether it’s a night out on the town with friends or your child’s school play, the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera makes capturing and sharing your favourite moments simple and fun.”

Kodak has joined in the mini pocketsize camcorder crowd with their latest Playtouch, which is capable of shooting image stabilized at 1080p video with stereo audio to SDHC cards. The integrated 3-inch capacitive touchscreen gives you plenty of room to edit your pics (or extract a still) on camera before flipping out the USB arm for a quick PC transfer. Otherwise, an HDMI jack lets you pump that digital keepsake right to the living room television without the PC assist. Rounding things out are an external microphone jack and Share button that makes it easy-peasy to push those memories to YouTube or FaceBook, or send via email if that’s your preference. The KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera will be available in Smoke Gaze (Black), Chrome, Wine Country (Magenta), Cabana (Orange) and Spa Blue (Teal) for US $229.95 MSRP this fall at major retailers and Kodak.com.

KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera Features:

Kodak’s EasyShare M590 might be dull-looking, but it is being billed as the world’s slimmest digital camera with 5x optical zoom. Otherwise, things simmer down with a 2.7-inch LCD, image stabilization, face recognition, unspecified HD video capture, and microSD card support. And as you’d expect, the M590 also features a Share button like the Playtouch that makes tagging and uploading photos and video to social media sites like Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube a snap. Yours for $199.99 and hitting the selves at Fall, which is the same time as the Playtouch.

KODAK M590 Digital Camera Features:

Besides the two items above, Kodak is also introducing a larger size for its popular and award-wining KODAK PULSE Digital Frame. The new 10-inch PULSE Digital Frame will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP at major retailers and Kodak.com. With all the features of Kodak’s current 7-inch PULSE Digital Frame, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a customizable email address, the 10-inch PULSE Frame is the perfect gift for the holiday season. The KODAK PULSE Digital Frame makes it easy for consumers to keep their frames fresh with new pictures and share with family and friends. Pictures can be emailed directly to the PULSE Frame from mobile phones, computers and any device with email capability. It also connects to FACEBOOK and KODAK Gallery photo albums, offers easy set-up with no software to install, and has an intuitive touchscreen interface.

[Kodak (1), (2), (3) via Engadget]

Panasonic might have launched their big-ass 3D camcorder which is capable of recording 3D HD videos thanks to an attached lens, but Fujifilm has done it in a better package, this time with no need for a lens. What’s more, the 3.5-inch display panel behind it is capable of displaying 3D videos that you just shot! That seemed like this Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 will give a huge blow towards Panasonic.

This W3 camera is actually a 3D camera released last year, but Fujifilm went back to their labs, and tweaked it. Now the W3 is back, with a refresh hardware that will not only allow it to take 3D photos, but also shoot 3D video in 720p resolution, which bumps it up from the previous VGA-only mode. Of course, like with the first model, you can turn off the 3D function so you’re shooting in plain ol’ 2D, but with that 3.5″ lenticular screen on the back of the camera, you can see 3D photos and video bursting out instantly—and deprived of the need for glasses.This second model is also smaller and lighter than before, weighing 230g. Comparing that to Panasonic’s odd 960×1080 resolutions and gigantic size, it seemed Fujifilm has a clear winner.

The 3D works by shooting a subject with two 3x optical zoom Fujinon lenses and CCDs, combining the two photos so they appear in 3D. A number of selections can be chosen when snapping photos in 2D, so one photo is shot in close-up, the other in wide-angle, or they can be shot in varying ISO ranges, and so forth. This could create a lot of different effects, and would quickly eat up your time fiddling with the options.

The addition of a miniHDMI port means 3D content can be viewed on 3DTVs and 3D laptops via HDMI, but also on an 8″ Fujifilm 3D photo frame and in lenticular prints (bought separately). The latter two, like with watching the images on the 3.5″ display, don’t require glasses.

If you’re seeking for a 3D camera that’s capable of shooting nice 720p 3D videos, this might just be your best choice in the list. Just get ready $500 (or £399 if you’re in UK) and you’re ready to make your home-made blockbuster, in 3D! Sorry no IMAX 3D support.

SOURCE via Fujifilm]

This is not Sanyo’s first waterproof HD camcorder, but this sure would be a hit among divers, and those wanting to make their home-made blockbuster in the pool at the backyard, or the kids’ pond if you will. I mean, Full HD is always the go right? For merely $350, you’re gonna be making your own Full HD ‘funny home videos’, aren’t you excited? But it only comes in yellow colour. Should have come in pink too.

Main Features: VPC-CA102YL

• Full-HD videos, 1080 60i (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• 14MP photos
• Waterproof (can be used in water up to 10 ft depth)
• Compact, vertical form factor
• CMOS sensor (14.4MP)
• 38 mm wide-angle lens
• 5x optical zoom, 12x double-range zoom
• Compatible with SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards
• Wireless data transfer via Eye-Fi SD cards*
• 2.7-inch TFT LCD display (can be turned 285 degrees)
• “Face Chaser” and “Target a Color” functions
• Mini-HDMI port
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Rechargeable via USB port
• Stylish yellow body with gray accents
• Size: 3.37 x 1.47 x 4.34 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: approx. 5.5 ounces

Few days ago we talked about Panasonic getting ready to throw some 3D camcorders at consumers? Well now you can get one and make your very own 3D home video! Here’s a video of Panasonic’s latest 3D camcorder.

The HDC-SDT750 3D mode is enabled by snapping on an included 3D conversion lens that splits the image in twain to be recorded as right and left images by the standard 1080p sensor. However, by splitting the screen, they do mean literally splitting it. That means each side will only be recording a max resolution of 960 x 1080, thus sadly you won’t be able to record your very own HD Piranha muvee at your backyard with your Arowana babies.

The sad thing about this 3D camcorder is that you can only link the HDMI to AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray players and laugh your ass off with your family. Other than that, there’s not much expansion besides the SD slot. For a massive $1,399 price, that sure is very limited.