Panasonic Launches 3D Camcorder and Full HD Multimedia Camera

August 11, 2010: Panasonic unveiled its first consumer 3D camcorder and its first Full High Definition Multimedia Camera at a function in Sydney today.
The new HDC-SDT750 3MOS System camcorder, which goes on sale in late September, is a sophisticated Full HD model that can also record 3D video footage via a special 3D conversion lens that fits onto the front of the camera. This lens enables the camera to record right-eye and left-eye images simultaneously, each with 960 x 1080 pixels. The resulting footage can be played back on a 3DTV set, where it is viewed through special glasses that create vivid and immersive 3D movies.

The new Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3MOS System camcorder shown with (top) and without (below) the supplied 3D conversion lens. (Source: Panasonic.)
At the heart of the HDC-SDT750 is a high-sensitivity 3MOS System with 7.59 million effective motion image pixels (2.53 megapixels x 3) that the light received through the lens into the three primary colours – red, green and blue – and processes each colour independently. The Crystal Engine Pro high-speed processing unit eliminates colour smear at subject edges and supports the camera’s 50 frames/second High Speed Burst Shooting capabilities using the popular AVCHD codec.

The fast (f/1.5) Leica Dicomar lens covers an angle equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format cameras at the wide position and 58mm when the 3D conversion lens is attached. It offers 18x optical zoom magnification and has been designed to provide sharp, high-contrast pictures with minimal distortion, ghosting and flare. The new Hybrid O.I.S. combines optical and electrical image stabilisation to provide powerful correction during zooming or when shooting on the move.
The HDC-SDT750 also comes with improved noise reduction (NR) technologies, an iA (Intelligent Auto) mode and a manual ring that provides easy, fingertip control over the focus, zoom, exposure (iris), shutter speed and white balance settings. When the 3D lens is not attached and iA is engaged, the camcorder automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode with the press of a button. The camcorder offers six iA functions: AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Contrast Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Hybrid O.I.S, Face Detection and Face Recognition.

The HM-TA1 multimedia camera has been designed to provide a highly portable still and video camera that supports easy image sharing. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or pocket, the TA1 sports integrated USB terminal that enables shots to be transferred easily to a computer for editing and uploading to YouTube, Facebook or Flickr. The TA1 is also compatible with the Apple iFrame video format. Connect the TA1 to a computer, and it becomes a web camera for free Skype-based video calls.

Front and rear views of Panasonic’s new multimedia camera, the HM-TA1. (Source: Panasonic.)
The TA1 can capture still images at resolutions up to 8-megapixels and records Full HD (1,920 x 1,080/30p1) videos in MPEG-4 AVC format, which is ideal for viewing on a PC or distributing over a network. The iFrame (960 x 540/30p) video recording format is optimal for Mac users who want to import clips quickly and maintain small file sizes. Users can also cut still images out of existing video recordings by pressing the Still Picture button when the desired image appears on the TA1’s 2.0-inch LCD monitor.

The TA1 is designed for easy sharing of images and video clips. (Source: Panasonic.)
The TA1 offers three video effect modes: Soft Skin, Sepia and Monochrome. An LED light beside the lens allows users to shoot in dimly-lit situations, while the Electrical Image Stabiliser (E.I.S) system minimises blurring due to hand-shake. A handy 4x digital zoom makes it easy to bring subjects up close. The TA1 records onto SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Cards for easy sharing and transferring data to a PC.

The HDC-SDT750 is scheduled to go on sale next month at an RRP of $1999. The HM-TA1 will be available in mid-September at an RRP of $249. For more information on both products, visit www.panasonic.com.au or phone 132 600.
Panasonic also used the event to showcase the new digicams it will release in the second half of 2010. We announced these cameras on the Photo Review website on 22 July, just after product details were revealed on overseas imagign sites. (Visit /news/productnews/panasonic-unveils-2010-second-half-digicams.aspx)