Panasonic HM-TA1
Panasonic, in a special evening launch, released two camcorders one of which is a first for the entire company.
First Pocket Camcoder
The HM-TA1 is its pocket camcorder and has an edge on the flip by supporting full-speed 1080p video. The camera also supports Apple’s iFrame encoding which allows HM-TA1 to output its video to iMovie at 540p without having to resize until the final export.
The camera can snap eight-megapixel photos or grab individual frames from videos. It also has a LED light for dark scenes and uses removable cards, up to and including SDXC. Electronic image stabilization and basic color presets are in the mix as well. The camera can double as a webcam for live video in apps that support it.
Gray, purple and red versions of the TA1 will ship in August for $170.
HDC-SDX1
Panasonic HD SDX1
The second camera of the night, the HDC-SDX1, has a more traditional barrel-shaped body but is extremely light at about 0.41 pounds. It too records at 1080p and supports iFrame, but it has a lens that zooms up to 20X with optical zoom. Digital zoom goes up to 23X . The camera has true optical image stabilization, autofocus and autoexposure tracking. A 2.7-inch touchscreen serves as view finder.
Only a black version of the SDX1 will be available, and it will ship in September for $500.
Panasonic HDC-SDX1
Panasonic HM-TA1
Panasonic HM-TA1
