Brand new camcorders from brands such as Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung appeared at CES. Check out our first thoughts on them all.
| Canon Vixia HF10 |
Gallery » |
 Flash memory, providing fast transfer times, low power consumption and heat generation, is all the rage in HD camcorders, and the HF10 is Canon's high-end offering. It records to either a 16GB internal flash drive and/or an SDHC card, so although the camera sees no major design upgrades, it keeps Canon "up with the Jones'" for the time being. Release: May 2008. Price: $1100.
Pros: Dual flash memory (SDHC and internal)
Cons:
| Nill |
Slight |
Moderate |
PALPABLE |
Extreme |
|
|
| Samsung SC-HMX20C |
Gallery » |
 We were thoroughly impressed by the specs on the SC-HMX20C, with Full HD 1080p recording @30fps, a 2.7-inch touchscreen as well as HDMI output and an included docking cradle. We were surprised to see a high-speed shooting mode (300fps), but unfortunately it doesn't record in HD. Samsung definitely chose the fastest and most versatile of storage modes, with 8GB of internal flash memory, along with an SDHC slot for expandable memory. If it performs as well as its stats sheet looks, it should be a winner. Release: June 2008.
Pros: 1080p video, internal and expandable flash storage, high speed shooting
Cons:
| Nill |
Slight |
Moderate |
PALPABLE |
Extreme |
|
|
| Canon Vixia FS11 |
Gallery » |
 The FS11 takes the dual flash memory idea behind the HF10 and stuffs it into their SD package. It features a smaller 1.07-megapixel image sensor, what Canon calls 48x "advanced zoom" and 16GB of flash memory to go along with the SDHC slot. Just like its HD cousins, it comes bundled with a wireless remote and features a joystick on its rotating LCD screen. Release: May 2008. Price: $600.
Pros: Dual flash memory (SDHC and internal), extremely lightweight
Cons: Standard definition only
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Sony HDR-SR12 |
Gallery » |
 One of three new camcorders Sony debuted at CES, the HDR-SR12 features full 1920 x 1080 AVCHD for recording video in true high definition, a 10-megapixel photo capture, a 3.2-inch touch panel LCD and image stabilization technology for smooth video recording. While in our fantasy world we'd like to see Sony ditch the Memory Stick format, at least built-in hard drives are slowly rendering that format more and more obsolete. Available in March for $1,400. Release: April 2008. Price: $1400.
Pros: Full 1080 HD recording and in 5.1 Dolby surround sound
Cons: Memory Stick
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| JVC Everio GZ-MG330 |
Gallery » |
 The new JVC Everio camcorders are the smallest HDD camcorders on the market, according to the company, because they use new 1.3-inch hard drives, instead of the older 1.8-inchers. In our hands, we found them to be small, but not tiny, not as small as flash camcorders. Still, the Laser Touch control strip was cool, and the camcorder was very light to hold. The camera also uses microSD for still photos, which gives you a more portable option than just using the hard drive. Release: March 2008. Price: $450.
Pros: Smallest hard disk drive camcorder. Intuitive Laser Touch keeps fingers off screen.
Cons: Not as small as flash, not as much storage possible as with larger HDDs.
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Canon Vixia HF100 |
Gallery » |
 Basically an HF10 without the 16GB of internal flash memory, the HF100 lacks the flexibility of its more expensive cousin, but still has the same optics, image sensor, rotating LCD and multiple HD recording modes. The camera does a good job of handling one-handed operation with its top-mounted zoom toggle switch and thumb-controlled record button. We're not sure the 16GB of memory that the HF10 offers over the HF100 is worth the extra $200, but the HF100 is for those who don't think it is. Release: May 2008. Price: $900.
Pros: $200 discount from HF10
Cons: Lacks dual flash memory
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Panasonic HDC-SD9 |
Gallery » |
 Introduced by Panasonic at CES as the "world's smallest and lightest SD card HD camcorder," the HDC-SD9 employs full 1920 x 1080 progressive recording (24 frames per second), Panasonic's image stabilization technology, and two new features -- Face Detection and Intelligent Shooting Guide -- both of which adjust the exposure to the conditions or the subjects. Available in March with a price tag of $1100. On paper it looks great, we're eager to see how it performs. Release: January 2008. Price: $800.
Pros: Full 1080p HD recording
Cons: Not available until March
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Sanyo Xacti HD1000 |
Gallery » |
 The Sanyo Xacti HD1000 is an Xacti camcorder than insists on being taken seriuosly. We actually like the slight bit of extra bulk that the HD hardware seems to add to the device, it makes the camcorder feel less like a toy. And, with Full HD video recording, this is certainly no toy. We agree with company reps that dropping the still megapixel count was worth the HD video upgrade, mostly because this HD camera is so small that we could drop it in our pocket while we heft our giant DSLR. Release: January 2008. Price: $800.
Pros: Full HD video recording on a a pistol-sized camcorder.
Cons: Bigger than previous Xacti camcorders. Still imaging takes a hit to improve video.
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Sanyo Xacti E1 |
Gallery » |
 Sanyo's Xacti E1 is a solid, middle-of-the-road camcorder that warrants a second look due to its waterproofing. Sanyo's digital camcorders are specifically designed to operate one-handed, and the E1 is no exception. The waterproofing merely adds to the active nature of the camera, with a rugged casing and an aversion to water droplets. We can easily imagine pocketing the E1 along with us on a trip to the beach, a weekend on the slopes or a fishing outing offshore. Release: June 2007. Price: $500.
Pros: Waterproof, rugged casing
Cons:
| Nill |
Slight |
MODERATE |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
| Sanyo Xacti HD700 |
Gallery » |
 Sanyo's new Xacti HD700 camcorder is really a compromise, though you wouldn't know it if you weren't familiar with the company's HD1000. Instead of Full HD, users will only see 720p recording, but get a higher megapixel count on the still images. Frankly, we're more interested in using these for video than as an all-in-one, but the tiny pistol-grip form might appeal to users who get addicted to carrying less. Release: October 2007. Price: $600.
Pros: Small size for real HD recording. Higher megapixel stills than its larger brother, the HD1000.
Cons: We're skeptical about image quality on such a small all-in-one camera.
| Nill |
SLIGHT |
Moderate |
Palpable |
Extreme |
|
|
Philip Berne, Matthew Ruiz, Edward Distel and Sindre Lia contribute to the CES 2008 coverage.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Archive