Sony HDR-CX7 camcorder reviewed by Videomaker

Videomaker has a review about the Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD camcorder.

From the review:

Tapeless Entertainment

The HDR-CX7 is the first Sony camcorder to record AVCHD video directly to Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo. The CX7 is very small and fits in one hand easily. With a collection of other features, like its 1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS sensor and dual record mode, the HDR-CX7 unveils a new type of camcorder functionality.

Fly-by

The HDR-CX7 is a stealthy-looking Handycam that is not much bigger than a 12-oz. soda can. It has a solid enough weight to provide for some handheld shooting stability, and it takes 4.6-megapixel still images while simultaneously recording video. The CX7 is equipped with Sony's Super Steadyshot optical image stabilization system, which minimizes the unwanted vibrations of handheld shooting. Many of the CX7's features reside in the touch screen navigation menu on the 2.7" widescreen LCD. The LCD rotates 270 degrees for ease of viewing from varying angles, which is key, as there is no viewfinder on this camcorder. The LCD is large enough for viewing but it can potentially be cumbersome to users with clumsy or larger fingers. There are a number of recording modes such as beach, sports lesson, candle, fireworks and sunrise, to name a few, as well as a host of other features that are within the navigation screen menu options.

Buy the Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD 6.1MP High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Read the full review here.

Canon HR10 DVD HD camcorder review

Videomaker has a review about the Canon HR10 camcorder.

The HR10 is part of Canon's second generation of AVCHD camcorders attempting to deliver the DVD format for consumers. Using the AVCHD codec, the HR10 takes the next step by giving consumers HD on a DVD. DVD-recordable formats made a big impact on consumers, because of the simplicity of random access and the ability to pop what you just recorded directly into your DVD player.

Following on the heels of Canon's HV20, which received high praise, the HR10 attempts to make its own mark on the consumer mind. The HR10's innovative design shines in many places, but its technical breakthrough may have bled too far over into the "user-friendly department" one expects from a consumer camcorder.

Read the full review at Videomaker.

CES 2009: Back-illuminated cell structure and low-dispersion G Lens in the Sony HDR XR520VE

TechRadar says:

The HDR XR520VE brings a super-sensitive Exmor R CMOS sensor, which apparently has been re-engineered so that 'photo-sensitive areas receive maximum illumination, unobscured by a grid of fine metal wires that partially blocks the pathway of incoming light in conventional designs.'

Canon Vixia HG20 declared best HD camcorder by cnet

The good: Excellent video quality; 60GB hard drive; attractive, understated design.

The bad: Wind filter not as dependable as previous Canon models; manual focus pretty useless.

The bottom line: Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.

Canon Vixia HG20 AVCHD HD Camcorder with 60GB storage

See the top list of HD camcorders based on review ratings here.

ZDNet also has a Vixia HG20 review with an excellent rating of 82%, and camcorderinfo has an in-depth review right here

Hitachi DZBD10HA Blu-ray HD camcorder - the ony Hitachi BD product

Only one company, Hitachi, makes a Blu-ray camcorder. Ironically, Hitachi doesn't make any other Blu-ray products.

But Hitachi doesn't think having Blu-ray on a camcorder is enough. So on its DZBD10HA model ($1,099), it supplements the Blu-ray disc recorder with a 30GB hard-disk drive and — AND — a high-capacity SD slot. The HDD also records video using the 1,920 x 1,080 Blu-ray format, but the SD card slot records high-def video using AVCHD.

Via DVICE

CES: Panasonic announces high-end hard drive camcorders

The new HDC-HS300 and HDC-HS250 both have 120GB hard drives for up to 50 hours of footage. The HS300 targeted to release in April with a price tag of $1400 offers manual controls, external mic support and electronic viewfinder.

Main features:

• Full HD 1920x1080 Recording
• 3MOS camcorder System
• 120GB HDD and SD card slot
• Manual Ring, Electrical Viewfinder and Cold Shoe
• Intelligent Auto Mode and AF Tracking
• 10.6 Megapixel Still Images

• Lens Brand	Leica Dicomar Lens
  F Value	F1.8(WIDE)/2.8(TELE)
  Optical Zoom	12x
  Digital Zoom	30x- 700x
  Focal Length	4-48mm
  Filter Diameter	43mm
  35mm Film camera Equivalent	44.9-539mm (16:9) [Motion Image] / 41.3-496mm (3:2), 40.8-490mm (16:9), 45.0-540mm (4:3) [Still Image]

The HDC-HS300 is a hybrid camcorder that records Full HD images either on an SD (or SDHC) Memory Card or the built-in 120GB hard disk drive. A 32-GB SDHC Memory Card can hold around 12 hours of recorded video clips (in HE mode). The HDC-HS300 camcorder can copy recorded video images from the SD Memory Card to the hard disk, or vice versa, with easy operation.

Buy Panasonic HDC-SD9 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom w/8 GB SD Card

The HDC-HS300 camcorder features the Full HD 3MOS sensor, developed by Panasonic based on its proven 3CCD technology. The Panasonic 3MOS sensor system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, greater detail and richer gradation.

Recording Format	MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant)
Recording Mode	HA (17Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HG (13Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HX (9Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HE (6Mbps / VBR) , (1440 x 1080)
Playback Mode	HA (17Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HG (13Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HX (9Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HE (6Mbps / VBR) , (1440 x 1080)
Audio Recording System	Dolby Digital (5.1ch)
Microphone	5.1ch Surround, Zoom and Focus Microphone

Also new to Panasonic's HD camcorder line are the new entry-level models: the HDC-HS20 ($800), which records to both an 80GB hard drive and an SD/SDHC card; the HDC-TM20 ($650) records to a 16GB solid-state drive and SD/SDHC card; and the HDC-SD20 ($600), which records to SD/SDHC cards only. All three models will be available in April.

Via Panasonic, networkworld, camcorderinfo

Canon shows off VIXIA HF S10 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder

The VIXIA HF S10 delivers brilliant video and photos through a new Canon exclusive 8.59 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest version of our advanced image processor, DIGIC DV III. It combines lightweight, compact size and the ease and convenience of Flash Memory. This technology, the same used in advanced laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones, allows the VIXIA HF S10 to record to both its large 32GB internal memory, for up to 12 hours of crisp, high definition video, as well as to a removable SDHC card. You have extended available recording space and more flexibility in file transfer and playback.

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

What's more, the VIXIA HF S10 allows you to record at up to 24Mbps, the highest bit rate in AVCHD format, for the highest quality image. The VIXIA HF S10's Canon Exclusive features - such as the Genuine Canon 10x HD video lens, sophisticated Genuine Canon Face Detection capability, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and a host of new control and creative options - makes our Flash Memory camcorder unmistakably Canon.

View model specs and features at the Vixia HF S10 HD camcorder page.