Panasonic Announces Pricing and Release Date for World's Lightest 1080p HD Camcorders

Those lightweight Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 camcorders that were announced last month have now been priced for the U.S. market with the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 going for $549.95 and $599.95 respectively. The TM10 will be available in black and silver models, and the SD10 in black only when released in September 2009.

Weighing just 0.5 LB, Panasonic is confident that these are the world's lightest High Definition 1080p camcorders. The HDC-SD10 camcorder records to SDHC/SD Memory Cards, while the HDC-TM10 records onto both an 8 GB Built-in Memory and an SDHC/SD Memory Card. Both models have a 16x optical zoom with an Advanced O.I.S.- Optical Image Stabilizer function, and Panasonic's Intelligent Auto function is also included to automatically set Scene modes.

 

Key features of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10:

- SDHC/SD Memory Card Recording – The SDHC/SD Memory Card not only brings significant advantages to smaller and lighter camcorders, but it also differs from a hard-disk drive in that it has no transport mechanism, making it highly shock-resistant and enabling faster recording starts.

- Twin Memory Recording – Relay Recording (HDC-TM10 Only) – The HDC-TM10 records Full-HD images onto the built-in memory or an SDHC/SD Memory Card (optional), and features a Relay Recording function. When the built-in memory is full, this function automatically switches the recording media to the SDHC/SD Memory Card to provide uninterrupted recording. Video data that is recorded using both media types can be merged inside the camcorder and saved to an SDHC/SD Memory Card.

- Touch Screen and Handy Function Buttons – Both models feature a touch screen that lets users operate a variety of functions by simply touching an icon displayed on the LCD. This allows intuitive operation without having to look away from the subject.

- 1.9-sec Quick Power-On – The power turns on and off by opening and closing the LCD. This start-up allows users to save battery power by keeping the power turned off when the camcorder is not in use, while making sure that unexpected shooting opportunities are not lost. The power-saving Eco mode automatically turns the power off when the camcorder is not in use for five minutes.

- Pre-Rec – To avoid missing critical shooting opportunities, when the Pre-Rec function is on, the camcorder continuously records three seconds of images into an internal buffer memory. When the Record button is actually pressed, the three seconds immediately prior are added to the beginning of the clip.

- Auto Power LCD – This feature automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen according to the shooting conditions.

- Built-in Video Light and Flash – Both the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are equipped with a video light and flash for convenience when shooting in dimly lit places.

- Highlight Playback – This function is for users who want to view recorded images quickly, as “highlights” can be created and played back according to a set time interval.

- One-Touch Copy of Videos to DVD and Easy Playback with the BN1 DVD Burner – To avoid the two-step process previously required to save Full-HD videos from an SDHC/SD Memory Card or built-in memory onto a DVD for playback, the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 feature a one-touch function that makes this process easier.