Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co., Secaucus, N.J., USA, announced its camcorder lineup for 2006, featuring a new low-height, compact design. The three new models, PV-GS29, PV-GS39 and PV-GS59 feature DV output (Firewire) for easy digital connection to compatible PCs or digital video editing equipment; color viewfinder; 30x optical zoom and 1000 digital zoom. And all feature easy-to-use one-finger navigation with joystick control. The $299.95 PV-GS29 is the entry-level model.
Model PV-GS39, at $349.95, adds true 16:9 widescreen format recording, SD Memory Card slot and SD card USB reader/writer. The $379.95 Model PV-GS59 additionally features high-speed USB 2.0 for high quality full-motion video transfer, and includes a USB cable and MotionDV software for editing, converting to MPEG4 (e-mail), or archiving to recordable DVD.
Panasonic also introduced four new DVD camcorders, which record onto 8cm DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs. Panasonic's 2006 line starts a suggested retail price of $499.95, with model VDR-D100. It features 30x optical zoom, a color viewfinder, 2.5-inch LCD, joystick control for easy, one-finger navigation, and high-speed USB 2.0 interface. Model VDR-D200 adds an SD Memory Card slot, a built-in LED color enhancement light and VGA still picture recording. The new VDR-250 features 3 CCDs, 2.3 mega-pixel still image recording, 10x optical zoom, 2.7-inch widescreen LCD and 16:9 widescreen format recording. Finally, the VDR-300 offers 3 CCDs, and adds a Leica lens, Optical Image Stabilization, 3.1-megapixel still image recording, and built-in flash.
Panasonic also debuted its first 3 CCD camcorder, featuring a Leica Dicomar Lens, Optical Image Stabilizer and 10X optical zoom. The company says the lightweight, SDR-S100 records high-quality MPEG2 video onto SD Memory Cards, and features a high-performance Leica Dicomar lens, 10X optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilization. The SDR-S100 has a fast response time and a rugged, shock-resistant design. The unit can record in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.
"The SDR-S100 represents a totally new concept in video recording," said Rudy Vitti, national marketing manager for Panasonic. "It outpaces conventional camcorders both in size and ease of operation, while delivering a beautiful, high-quality MPEG2 video picture."
The SDR-S100 includes a rechargeable battery pack and a 2GB SD Memory Card, will be available in October, and have a suggested retail price of $1,199.95.
