Gadgets and Gizmos

Sanyo Xacti HD700 camcorder

Sanyo digital camera manufacturer, debuts the Xacti HD700, a pocket-sized, 720p high-definition digital camcorder. HD700 is a high-performance camcorder capable of recording both high-definition video and 7.1-megapixel photos easily to an SD or SDHC memory card. Featuring an ultra-compact, ergonomic shape, the HD700 is specifically designed for publishing high quality video and high resolution still photos in formats ideally suited for Web-use or sharing.

Fun and easy to use anytime inspiration strikes, the HD700 is truly an advanced communication tool for the emerging information age. The Sanyo Xacti HD700 is 16% smaller and 10% lighter than the company’s HD2 camcorder and is capable of recording both high-definition video and 7.1 megapixel photos onto an SD or SDHC memory card.

The Sanyo Xacti HD1000 is, the company claims, the world’s smallest and lightest full HD digital camcorder and comes with a 4 megapixel still camera. Both models will feature a 2.7-inch LCD screen that can rotate up to 285 degrees, while the docking station sports a HDMI cable. (more…)

Panasonic unveils HDC-SD9 First Impressions Camcorder

The HDC-SD9 is Panasonic’s third generation of memory card-based AVCHD camcorders. Panasonic has made some improvements and some deletions. In addition to “full HD” status, the HDC-SD9 can shoot in 24P mode. It also has a new face detection system and an “Intelligent Shooting Guide” that points out problematic shots. And it’s very small.

Unfortunately, it lost the mic and headphone jack that kept the HDC-SD1 and SD5 off of our “naughty” list. Panasonic has stated that its top priority this year is manufacturing the smallest camcorders on the market. Judging this year’s releases so far, the company is well-secured in its goal.

Finally, there are four more new models; the SDR-H60 (60GB) and SDR-H40 (40GB) are hybrid SD / HDD units, the VDR-D50 is straight to DVD and the PV-GS90 records to miniDV tapes. All four have optical image stabilization, and the SDR-H60 has an ultra-powerful 50x optical zoom, with all other models packing a non too shabby 42x (pictured above right).

The Panasonic HDC-SD9 and HDC-HS9 offer full-High Definition, 1920 x 1080 progressive recording (24 frames per second) and use the AVCHD video format. In addition, the new models feature Panasonic’s original 3CCD system, Advanced MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), and a Leica Dicomar lens - three components that also contribute to the high-quality video output. (more…)

Fujifilm S8000fd digital camera

In Fujifilm Range the latest camera is S8000fd replacing the S7000. That camera is ancient in digital photography terms, having been released all of four years ago. It offers a resolution of eight mega pixels and a remarkable 18x zoom lens.

It’s smaller than some of its hybrid predecessors, and isn’t much larger than a normal large compact camera. It’s significantly smaller and lighter than almost all of the digital SLRs we’ve looked at.

The Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd is currently Fujifilm’s Megazoom top model that has to compete directly with cameras like the Olympus SP-560 UZ and the Panasonic Lumix FZ18. Like most super zoom cameras, the s8000fd’s body is dominated by the giant, wide-angle (27mm) 18x zoom lens. (more…)

Canon Unveils new HD camcorder HV10

Canon has launched its new HV10 HDV cam Coder. It’s Canon’s first consumer high definition camcorder and as a result it’s attracted quite a lot of buzz. And it’s no coincidence that Canon has priced it almost exactly the same as Sony’s lowest priced HD camcorder, the HDR-HC3. It certainly looks and feels like a conventional MiniDV camcorder, apart from the width, which is slightly bulkier than usual (it measures 56 x 104 x 106mm and weighs 439g).

The HV10 uses a 1/2.7-inch, 2.96-megapixel HD CMOS sensor, capturing full resolution 1920 x 1080 video. The panoramic native widescreen 1080i footage is stored on MiniDV tapes. Although its default setting is for 16:9 viewing, you can switch to Standard Definition recording easily should you feel the need to watch on a conventional 4:3 telly.

The Instant AF lived up to its billing; unless I was too close to the subject or I was moving too fast (in a cab driving through midtown), the focus rarely missed. In a few cases it focused on the wrong subject, such as the bars of a cage rather than the occupant, but focusing manually via the jog dial was quick and easy. The HV10’s still-image quality is also impressive, earning a Superior rating from our jury. (more…)

General Electric launching the Digital Cameras in UK

GE is the second-largest company in the world after Exxon Mobil, fact fans and has been generally electric since a light bulb lit up over Thomas Edison’s head in 1876.

Now it’s moving into a new market with the G series of compact cameras. American industrial giant General Electric launched a new brand of cameras, under the name General Imaging.

The cameras are currently sold only in America primarily through the Radio Shack chain of electronics retailers, but a report on Pocket Lint gadget news site claims that the brand will be launched in the UK early in 2008. (more…)