I'll be totally honest and say that I don't get too excited about compact cameras that can shoot in HD. It seems to be the latest "must have" feature, some manufacturers implement it better than others.
If you want an "all in one" that can handle stills and movies, then the latest wide angle PL70 from Samsung may be what you're looking for.
Full high definition video recording in an ultra-compact body comes Samsung's latest camcorder, the HMX-U10.
Measuring 56mm x 103mm x 15.5mm and weighing in at 95g including battery, features include a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, two-inch LCD screen, ergonomic angled grip and built-in Intelli-studio software.
Available from September, pricing and more detailed specifications to be confirmed.
Samsung has announced two new "near high definition" camcorders in the K Series. The SMX-K40 and SMX-K44 only record in standard definition (720 x 480) resolution but Samsung claims that this is upscaled to near HD quality when viewed on a high definition TV via the HDMI output.
The SMX-K40 records onto an internal 16GB SSD while the SMX-K44 records to external memory cards.
Fairly standard features include image stabilisation, 52x optical zoom plus 65x "intelligent zoom" enhancement, plus onboard video editing via Intelli-studio.
Sony has announced the latest additions to its Handycam range of compact high definition camcorders.
Both offer full 1080p HD recording and feature Sony's G Lens and BIONZ Image processing system, which offers better images especially in low light conditions, plus the ultra-high resolution Exmor R™ CMOS Sensor
There's also Optical SteadyShot that stabilises recordings in three directions, geotagging, face detection, three-inch LCD, and recording to either internal memory or memory stick.
Flip Video has announced its second generation Flip UltraHD is now available to buy in the UK.
Like the Flip MinoHD, the UltraHD records in 720p video but there's two hours worth of storage (8GB). It has a bigger 2-inch LCD screen with 960 x 240 resolution and more advanced video compression engine.
With point and shoot simplicity, there's really not much more to say about the UltraHD, except that it comes in black or white casing and is available for around £159.99. That's no bad thing, though. If you want something simple, elegant and high-def, with a little more oomph than the MinoHD, check out the UltraHD.
Tech Digest's Dan Sung puts the new Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 through its paces and comes out thoroughly impressed. Part of Sanyo's Dual Range, the Xacti is designed to take great video and stills while not compromising on portability.
A choice of auto-focuses, face-following, 720p playback, a 12 megapixel sensor and a 1600 ISO, it's certainly a well-specced little blighter, but no audio output? I mean come on. If you're looking for a step up from your Flip HD or Kodak Zi6, this is certainly a good place to start.
As the name suggests, this version comes in a nice shiny metallic finish. Every other spec is the same, including the 720p filming, 4GB of onboard memory and point-and-shoot simplicity.
We've already covered the Tekxon brand when it announced the VZT8320 full HD camcorder back in March.
Now the company has launched a new full HD model, the VZT8000F.
Unfortunately no images are available at present, so we'll just have to make do with the technical specs instead.
The VZT8000F features video shooting at both 1080p/30fps and 720p/30fps using H.264 video compression. It has a 5X optical zoom, 3-inch touchscreen LCD, video stabiliser, motion detection function, HDMI interface, 8MP still photo resolution, compatibility with SDHCs up to 32GB, and direct-to-YouTube upload facility.
Expected to retail in the US for $249 and shipping from July. No UK availability information at present.
Panasonic is the latest camcorder manufacturer to boast that its latest full HD models are the lightest available.
The HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 weigh in at just 227g, thanks in part to the fact that they both record to solid state memory or cards. They're also pretty compact.
Specialist photography retailer Jessops has announced that it will exclusively stock the Sony Cybershot DSC-W290.
Available in a black or blue body, this camera features a 12.1-megapixel Carl Zeiss lens, 5x optical zoom, various standard image detection features, plus the ability to shoot HD movies and output to a HDTV.
While we've never pretended that compact cameras with HD video recording mode are any substitute for a decent high definition camcorder, there's no doubt that for the budget-conscious consumer they do offer an entry into the world of HD movie making while still offering high quality stills image capture.
Enter General Imaging onto the scene. A fairly new company, and the exclusive licensee for GE branded cameras.
The first GE-branded camera arrived in the UK in January last year, yet the company is still trying to build up its name. Last week I took a quick look at some of the latest compacts on offer.
Nikon has today announced an upgrade to its D90 SLR, the D5000 - yet another high-end digital stills camera which also offers basic high definition movie shooting.
Basic in the sense that it can shoot at 720p at 24 frames per second, but no more. Movie shooting is controllable if you swap out lenses, and there is also a range of Picture Control settings to play with.
We covered the Flip MinoHD handheld high definition camcorder towards the end of the last year, and it's finally officially made it to the UK.
Available for a RRP of £169.99 from Amazon, Play.com, Dixons, Currys.digital and PC World, the unit is compatible with both Mac and PC systems and comes with the on-board FlipShare software that makes it easy to transfer footage from camcorder to computer.
Definitely one to grab if you're after simple HD video recording.
Last year, Sony brought us its HDR-TG3E Handycam, which at the time it claimed was the world's smallest full HD camcorder.
Technology marches on, of course, and to keep up with every other manufacturer pushing out small, light high definition camcorders, Sony has now developed the TG7VE Handycam. The tough, light titanium body is now even smaller than its predecessor.
Canon has taken the wraps off its latest "prepare to want one" digital SLR camera. The EOS 500D not only offers a whopping 15.1 megapixel, but can also shoot in full 1080p and 720p high definition video.
Exact specifications were a bit sketchy on the press release, but presumably it will shoot at a minimum of 30fps. It's not clear what compression methods are being used, either, but I'd take a guess at AVCHD based on other camcorders and cameras shooting full HD.
Just a couple of months after the last set of Camileo pocket camcorders were announced, Toshiba has lined up another couple of high definition handheld marvels to join them.
The S10 and P10 are both 1080p-capable DV cameras designed as entry-level devices for those just getting into HD recording.
Key features of both include H.264 HD encoding, 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, 4x digital zoom (no optical zoom), a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 32GB expandable storage, video stabiliser, night mode and various special effects for both videos and stills. There's also HDMI output for direct connection to HDTV, plus YouTube upload feature.
Taiwanese consumer electronics manufacturer Tekxon has just shown off its latest high definition camcorder, the VZT8320.
This palm-sized camcorder offers both 1080p and 720p recording at 30fps using H.264 video compression, as well as a 5x optical zoom, night mode for low-light shooting, video stabilisation, motion detection, 3-inch flip-out touchscreen LCD, HDMI port, up to 8MP still image resolution, up to 32GB SDHC support, and direct YouTube uploading.
Samsung has just announced its IT100 compact digital camera featuring 12-megapixel 28mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom and HD movie capture functions.
Other features include smart auto scene recognition, smart album, face detection and a frame guide.
The HD recording includes "pause and re-record" that allows videos to be shot as a single movie clip even if it contains a number of separate scenes.
The IT100 has a decent 3-inch TFT LCD screen to view it all on.
Available in silver, black and red with a suggested price of £229 from April.
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