Convergence

Vivitar’s DVR-390H combines a digital still camera, MPEG4 camcorder, TV/Video recorder, digital photo frame, MP3 player and voice recorder. However, the only way to store data on the 20GB hard drive is by capturing it with the device or downloading it from a connected PC. If you insert an SD card, the DVR-390H uses it instead of the internal memory and you then can’t access the device’s internal memory. All functions are driven from the main menu on the LCD display, which is called up by holding the menu button down for two seconds. Ten ‘buttons’ call up the various recording and playback functions. The menu system is logical and easy to view and use. The display doubles as a framing device, since the camera lacks a viewfinder and is only usable when attached to the player.

A hybrid, high-definition video camcorder that can also capture 10.1-megapixel still images.Sony’s HDR-SR12 camcorder – and its sister model the HDR-SR11 (RRP $1999) – differ only in the capacity of their built-in hard disk drives (HDD), with the SR12 having twice the capacity of the SR11. Both models include some of the technologies developed for Sony’s still cameras and both support AVCHD video recording with a maximum video resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

An HD camcorder that records only to flash memory and is designed for point-and-press video photographers.The Handycam HDR-CX12 is similar in size and styling to the HDR-CX7 model, which it replaces. One of a rapidly-growing class of camcorders that record exclusively to flash memory (in this case Memory Stick Pro Duo), it’s also the first camcorder with Smile Shutter technology. This feature already appears in some digital still cameras that, like the CX12, are designed primarily for point-and-press shooters. Automatic Face Detection technology is also provided with the ability to identify up to eight human faces.

A compact, Full HD camcorder that can also record high-resolution still photographs.Sanyo dubs its VPC-FH1 a ‘Dual Camera’ because it fulfils two purposes. With its 8-megapixel sensor and 10x optical zoom lens, it’s usable for shooting stills but it also supports Full HD video recording with a stereo soundtrack. Announced at the end of January with the similarly-featured VPC-HD2000, the FH1 has the traditional camcorder form factor and ergonomics while the HD2000 sports a pistol grip.

Many of the phonecam’s most zealous proponents are either arty types who fancy the low-tech quality of the images, or they are gadget geeks who, as a matter of course, simply love everything new and whizzy. However, as one who fits into both categories, I am sensible enough to understand that the average person likely doesn’t buy their phone for the quality of the camera. They set out to buy a phone and are happy to have the picture-taking capability included along with the other features.

On paper Nokia’s N73 looks certainly looks the goods. The headline specification has to be its pairing of Carl Zeiss optics with a 3.2 megapixel imager (2048 x 1536 pixels), but there are other attractive photographic options rolled into the package such as the 15 fps video capture mode and the built-in flash. The phone is equipped with a miniSD card slot and, wonder of wonders, there was a usefully capacious 128MB card packaged with the test unit.

An attractive high-definition camcorder for family video shooters who also want to produce snapshot photos.Canon is targeting video shooters who own High Definition TV sets with its new HV20 camcorder, which will also appeal to many digital photographers. This compact camcorder shares many of the features of the DC51 model we reviewed in Issue 32 and even has the same sized sensor. However, on the HV20, CMOS technology is used for HD recording at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and still images are captured at 3.1-megapixel resolution.

The third model in Canon’s consumer HD camcorder line-up, the HR10 records high-definition video on mini DVD disks.Canon’s new HR10 high-definition video camcorder has many features in common with the HG10 and HV20 models we have already reviewed. All three have the same optically-stabilised 10x optical zoom lens and 1920 x 1080 True Progressive HD CMOS sensor. But instead of recording to tape or hard disk drive, the HR10 uses 8cm mini DVD disks as its recording media.

A compact digital camcorder that records AVCHD format high-definition video direct to a 40GB internal hard disk drive.In Canon’s new HG10 digital video camera we see many of the components of the HV20 camcorder, which we reviewed in May. Both models use the same high definition camera system, which combines a 1920 x 1080 True Progressive HD CMOS sensor with an optically-stabilised 10x optical zoom lens. Instead of recording to tape, however, the HG10 has a 40GB internal hard disk drive (HDD) and offers AVCHD format, direct-to-HDD recording.