CES 2007

As if heading up a ramp to Noah's ark, the Flash and DVD models move in pairs. Panasonic at least manages to differentiate the models a bit. The DVD-based HDC-DX1, announced this week, and the SD card-based HDC-SD1 (announced in late 2006), are the latest pair of AVCHD cancorders to get on the boat. Both incorporate a trio of 1/4-inch, 580K-pixel CCDs, a 12x zoom, and an optical image stabilizer. The DX1 has dual-layer support, as well as DVD-RAM capability.

The difference? Aside from some design tweaks made necessary by the different media support, the DX1 seems to have some kind of accessory shoe--at least, that what it looks like in the picture.

Both camcorders will ship in March, the HDC-DX1 for $1,399.95 and the HDC-SD1 for $1,499.95 (including a 4GB SD card).

HD is more than just high resolution and huge TV screens--it's also better color. In this case, XvYCC color, a space that's able to encode a larger variety of colors that predecessors such as sRGB or YCC. Sony is first out of the gate to support XvYCC with its 2007 prosumer models, the HDR-HC5/7 and HDR-UX5/7, hard drive and DVD-based AVCHD models, respectively.

Of course, Sony being Sony, the company has branded its own version of the space as "x.v.Color". (Why the names always include random periods--think "i.Link"--escapes me.)

These models use 2- and 3-megapixel versions of Sony's ClearVid CMOS--it'll be interesting to see if it's up to the task of a broader color range--and now have an automatic slow-shutter mode for when the light starts dimming. The specs do claim a we-hope-its-true minimum illumination of 2 lux.

The HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC5 will ship in February for about $1,400 and $1,200, respectively. The HDR-UX7 and HDR-UX5 follow in March for about $1,300 and $1,100, respectively.

Looking down the barrel of the SC-HMX10

Sure, they took their time, but now Samsung has officially announced their intention to join the HD camcorder revolution with the SC-HMX10, which records AVCHD video to either 4GB of built-in flash memory, or SD/MMC cards . As is typical of higher-end camcorders, the SC-HMX10 has a relatively short, 10x optical zoom lens, but it does sport a 2.7-inch 16:9 touch screen LCD screen.

Side view: Samsung SC-HMX10

Samsung hasn't yet shared very many details about this camcorder, but given the relatively small amount of built-in memory, and its somewhat anemic 1.5-megapixel CCD sensor, the outlook is seems less than stellar.

We hope we haven't gotten your hopes up too high, because you won't be able to see this camcorder anytime soon. Samsung expects the SC-HMX10 to start shipping this September for a price of about $850.

Sony's new DCR-SR300 flagship hard drive camcorder

At a press event last summer, a Sony product manager told me that some consumers still find hard-drive camcorders confusing and prefer DVD camcorders instead. Of course, that didn't stop Sony from introducing five new hard-drive camcorders at CES this year: the DCR-SR200, DCR-SR300, DCR-SR42, DCR-SR62, DCR-SR82. Wasting no time, Sony will start accepting preorders for these models on its Web site starting Monday and expects them to start shipping in March.

Topping the line is the DCR-SR300, with its 40GB hard drive, 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, 2.7-inch Clear Photo 16:9 touchscreen LCD, and 10x optical Carl Zeiss T* zoom lens with Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization. Golfers will crave the Smooth Slow mode, which can capture three seconds of video at 240fps, which the camera translates into 12 seconds of slow motion video during normal playback at 60 fps. Since the ClearVid sensor lets you simultaneously capture still and moving images, the DCR-SR300 can capture 4.6-megapixel images while shooting video, or 6-megapixel images in dedicated still mode. As usual, the camcorder stores its images on Memory Stick Duo cards. Like some of last year's models, the SR300 includes Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound recording, and has a hot shoe (Sony calls it an active interface shoe), so you can add accessories, such as Sony's ECM-HW1 Bluetooth microphone, so you can get better center channel sound. According to Sony, the 40GB drive can store up to 9 hours of video in its highest quality mode, and as much as 28 hours in its lowest quality mode. Sony plans to sell the DCR-SR300 for about $1,000.

Sony's DCR-SR200 with its Handycam Station dock

The DCR-SR200, expected to sell for about $850, sports a 2-megapixel ClearVid sensor, and has the same 10x optical zoom lens, 40GB hard drive and 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD. However, the SR200 uses Sony's electronic Steady Shot image stabilization instead of the optical stabilization offered on the SR300. In its dual capture mode, SR200 can capture 2.3-megapixel stills, while its dedicated still capture mode lets you snap 4-megapixel stills. Don't fret slow-mo fans, the SR200 also includes the same Smooth Slow mode as the SR300. It also includes the same surround sound recording and hot shoe.

Boasting the largest hard drive of Sony's line, the DCR-SR82 packs 60GB of storage, along with a 1-megapixel CCD sensor, 25x optical Carl Zeiss zoom lens, and 2.7-inch 16:9 touchscreen LCD. It doesn't have a dual record mode, but can capture 1-megapixel still images in its dedicated still capture mode. Sony says the 60GB drive can store up to 14 hours of video in its highest quality mode, or up to 41 hours in its lowest quality mode. It won't record surround sound, but does include a hot shoe. Sony plans to price the SR82 at about $750.

Identical except for its hard drive size, the DCR-SR62 sports a 30GB hard drive. According to Sony, that'll get you 7 hours of recording time in the highest quality mode, or 20 hours in its lowest quality mode. Sony plans to price it at about $650.

The DCR-SR82 tops Sony's non-ClearVid HDD camcorders

Sony calls its new entry level hard drive model the DCR-SR42. It sports Sony's longest zoom lens to date--a 40x optical Carl Zeiss zoom lens. As we've come to expect, Sony pairs its longest lens with its smallest resolution sensor, in this case a 680,000-pixel CCD. The SR42's 30GB drive allows the same 7-20 hours of recording, depending on quality, as the SR62's. However, the smaller sensor means that its still capture mode only yields VGA-sized images. Also, the SR42's LCD measures in at 2.5-inches, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Sony plans to sell the SR42 for about $600, which means they make a pretty convincing case to at least step up to the SR62.

Worry warts and klutzes can wipe the sweat from their brows thanks to Sony's HDD Smart Protection, which combines physical shock absorbers, as well as a sensor that detects if the camcorder falls and if so, removes the write head from the drive's disk and shifts recording to a buffer that holds a small amount of footage so it can be written to the hard drive once the camera recovers. That way if the camcorder is dropped, hopefully the hard drive won't crash completely, and if the camera mistakes short motion for a fall, the buffer should let you continue recording while the camera gets back on track. All of this year's hard-drive camcorders come with one of Sony's Handycam Station docks, to help ease the transfer of footage to your computer.

The new DVD camcorders that Panasonic's rolling out for its Spring 2007 line all boast the same 32X zoom lens plus optical stabilizer, SD slots for still capture, and added support for dual-layer DVDs. The top-of-the-line VDR-D310 keeps up Panasonic's 3CCD tradition; the VDR-D210 and D230 have a single unspecified chip. The two lower-end models cost $450 and $500, respectively and are slated to ship in February; the VDR310 won't be out till March, and will cost $700.

Though Panasonic calls them "hybrid" camcorders--being able to record to an SD card or a 30GB hard drive doesn't qualify in my book--the new SDR-H200 and SDR-H20 both have shock-protected 30GB hard drives for about six hours of best-quality recording, optical image stabilization, and prices of $799.95 and $599.95, respectively. Though $800 might not seem low for a hard-drive camcorder, consider that it has 3 CCDs and shoots 3-megapixel stills. The lower-priced SDR-H20 compensates for its lowly single-chip status with the typical 32X stalker lens--at least with the OIS you have a chance of getting a decent shot, though. Plus, it comes with a 512MB SD card. Not too shabby. Unfortunately, the press release was so poorly written it's unclear what's on the inside of the SDR-H20. The two camcorders are slated to ship in April.

Sony's new Handycam DCR-SR48

Despite the emergence of DVD, hard-drive, and flash-based camcorders, Mini DV models still sell like hotcakes. That probably has to do with the fact that they offer so much for the money. Sony announced three new Mini DV camcorders at CES this year: the DCR-HC28, DCR- HC38, and DCR- HC48.

The Handycam DCR-HC28 has a 680,000-pixel sensor, 20x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch, 123,000-pixel touchscreen LCD, and a 123,000-pixel viewfinder. As the entry-level model in the line, it doesn't sport many of the fancy features it's pricier siblings offer, but it does include Sony's Super Steady Shot digital image stabilization, and is compatible with Sony's high capacity H-type batteries, as well as the normal P-type batteries, one of which ships with the unit. Sony plans to ship the DCR- HC28 in February. It's expected to sell for about $280.

Sony's Handycam DCR-SR38

Stepping up to the Handycam DCR-SR38 gets you a 40x optical zoom lens, a built-in user guide that explain certain functions right on the LCD, the larger capacity H-type battery, and a built-in, manually operated lens cover. The SR38 also adds Sony's ever-popular NightShot plus monochrome low-light shooting mode. The imaging sensor, LCD, and viewfinder are the same as the ones found in the HC28. The DCR-HC38 should hit stores in February with a price of about $330.

Moving on up to the Handycam DCR-SR48, Sony moves to a 1.1 megapixel sensor, 25x optical zoom lens, 123,000-pixel widescreen viewfinder, 2.7-inch widescreen, touchscreen LCD, and includes a Handycam docking station with the camcorder. Also, unlike it's HC siblings, the HC48 has a Memory Stick Duo slot, so you can store still images (up to 1152x864-pixels) to a card. The other two Mini DV models can't capture still images. Night shooters will appreciate the HC48's Super NightShot Plus Infrared System, which Sony says will capture "natural looking" video instead of the monochrome look it's regular NightShot Plus provides. Sony plans to ship the DCR-HC48 in February with a price of about $400.

Fans of the Handycam DCR-SR96 rejoice! Sony has decided to keep that camcorder, complete with its 3 megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, and 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD, in the line. That means the global consumer electronics behemoth will have a total of four MiniDV camcorders by the time the shortest month of 2007 comes to a close.

Samsung's new SC-MX10

Samsung has decided to contribute to the trend of recording video to SD memory cards with the new SC-X300 and SC-MX10 camcorders. Samsung hasn't released very much information about either model, but we do know that the SC-X300 sports a 680,000-pixel CCD sensor, 2-inch LCD, and 10x optical zoom lens. Samsung says it's PictBridge compatible, so you can connect it directly to a PictBridge-compatible printer to print still images, but didn't specify the pixel count of those stills. They did share the fact that it will include an SD card slot and will have MP3, webcam, voice recorder, and data storage capabilities.

The SC-MX10 remains more of a mystery. Samsung tells us it will have an ultra-slim design with a 2.7-inch LCD, but that's about all. The SC-MX10 is expected to hit stores in September for about $320, while the SC-X300 should be available in February at a price of about $370.

RCA announced a new version of their Small Wonder minicamcorder today. A follow-up to the Small Wonder EZ101, the Small Wonder EZ201 is an extremely simple pocket camcorder with an extremely low price tag. With a suggested retail price of $130, the EZ201 is predictably spartan: a tiny, 1.5-inch LCD screen flips out for framing shots, and it records videos onto SD cards (not included). The camcorder has both a standard TV connection and a pop-out USB plug for easy viewing and transferring of movies.

RCA also announced the RCA Memory Maker, an accessory DVD-burning dock for the EZ201. The Memory Maker can burn DVDs directly from the EZ201, simplifying the DVD-burning process. RCA hasn't specified pricing for the Memory Maker, but considering the camcorder's small price, the DVD dock will probably also be pretty affordable.

The first Small Wonder didn't exactly impress us, but if you want a supercheap, supersimple camcorder, this new version could still be a fun gadget. The RCA Small Wonder EZ201 hits stores in spring, and the Memory Maker ships later this year.