SDXC card support on four new Panasonic AVCHD camcorders

In another product announcement timed for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, Panasonic unveils the first of its new AVCHD format camcorders for 2010 – each of which includes support for the new SDXC memory cards.

Panasonic HDC-SD60 AVCHD Camcorders - Red and Silver

With each of four new slim and slender models featuring a 35.7mm wide lens, 35x Intelligent Zoom, newly developed Power O.I.S and Face Recognition – the new models are described by Panasonic as being ideal for users looking for ease of operation and portability at an affordable price.

The new 60 series models have all been furnished with a Full-HD 1MOS system producing 1920 x 1080i high definition picture output suitable for today’s HDTV displays.

The four compact base models are the HDC-HS60, TM60, TM55 and SD60 – with the latter being offered in three colour variants. The hybrid-type HS60 records onto an internal 120GB HDD (hard disc drive) as well as an SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Card. The twin-memory TM60/55 records onto its 16-GB/8GB built-in memory and an SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Card, and the SD60 records onto an SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Card.

25x Wide Angle Intelligent Zoom on all models

All models in this series feature a 25x optical zoom, which is further enhanced by Intelligent Resolution Technology in the Crystal Engine Pro image-processing circuit, to produce the new 35x Intelligent Zoom.  All of the new 1MOS HD models are also equipped with a 35.7mm wide-angle lens which, according to the maker, is ideal for many different shooting situations, such as self-portraits and group photos indoors, and landscape shots outdoors. We’ve seen it in action and it’s a very welcome addition.

Panasonic HDC-HS60 AVCHD Camcorder - record to 120GB HDD or memory card

The iA (Intelligent Auto) function – undoubtedly a popular feature on previous models – is also included on the new models. iA provides a high degree of hand-holding for newcomers or those wishing to grab shots without too much fiddling in menus.

A new feature is Panasonic’s Power O.I.S. which employs approximately five times the corrective power of conventional systems to effectively suppress blurring from low-frequency vibration.

The addition of Active mode, which minimizes the blurring and lets users shoot while walking, is designed to enhance image clarity on the whole range of shooting situations, we’re assured.

Upgraded Face Recognition utility

The iA function, which automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode during recording, has been updated and improved, too.  In addition to the previous five functions, the new iA offers a Face Recognition function – something that’s very useful for capturing properly resolved images of a specific person among a group of people within the frame.

Panasonic HDC-TM60 AVCHD Twin Memory Camcorder

Face Recognition identifies faces of subjects and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure for each one.  It continues to track the subject as the person moves anywhere within the LCD frame, making it ideal for video shooting. A maximum of six faces can be registered. High recognition accuracy can be ensured under various shooting conditions by registering facial images from different angles or with different expressions for each person. Names can also be displayed on up to three of the subjects on the LCD.

According to information provided to us by Panasonic, the image sensor and engine – as well as the lenses that support them – have all evolved to achieve 30% higher resolution than conventional camcorders, with 2.1M effective motion image pixels and approximately 1000 TV lines of resolution. Intelligent Resolution Technology enables all three models to record 5-megapixel still images.

Panasonic HDC-T55 AVCHD Camcorder

Give us a smile

Smile Shot is another new and handy function which has been incorporated into the new models that automatically records a still image during motion image recording when the camcorder detects a smiling face on the subject. This is really useful for grabbing impromptu snapshots of people even as you’re recording video – you’re guaranteed to get smiling shots without really trying.

Impressive New Wind Noise Canceller

If you’ve ever recorded video footage in windy conditions you’ll know how disappointing the sound can be thanks to minimal wind-noise filtering on many camcorders. Panasonic has at last provided a solution which impressed us when being shown the new models early in December 2009 – namely the new Wind Noise Canceller. This has evolved from Panasonic’s previous Wind Cut function and automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise in a manner which manages to maintain natural sounds with lifelike ambience. It works!

Colour options

The HDC-HS60, HDC-TM60, HDC-TM55 models are available in Black
The HDC-SD60 is available in Black, Red and Silver

Availability in the UK and Eire

The new models will be available from February 2010.

Note: We hope to bring you reviews of at least one key model in this range ahead of release.

Story: Colin Barrett, SimplyDV. Images Copyright Panasonic Europe. Used by Permission January 2010.

More From SimplyDV

• Panasonic HDC-TM900 AVCHD 3D Camcorder reviewed | SimplyDV.co.uk
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