Secaucus, NJ—Panasonic launched the HDC-SDT750, “the world’s first consumer 3D camcorder,” which includes a 3D conversion lens that enables it to shoot “true-to-life 3D video content” for playback on compatible Viera HDTVs via an HDMI cable.
The SDT750 also records 1080p Full HD (high definition) video in AVCHD, when the 3D conversion lens is unattached, and it includes a 3MOS sensor system and a 46mm f/1.5-3 Leica Dicomar lens with 12x optical zoom.
“As a result of research conducted through Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, Panasonic developed a professional 3D system camera and successfully brought high-quality Full HD 3D images to the home for viewing on Panasonic Viera Full HD 3D televisions. But now, Panasonic has taken it one step further and developed the world’s first consumer 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750—creating a 3D ecosystem available for consumers in the home,” said Chris Rice, senior product manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.
To shoot 3D video, users need to attach the bundled 3D conversion lens, which is specially designed to record right-eye and left-eye images simultaneously through its two lenses, thus resulting in video that can be viewed in 3D. The right and left images (each with 960×1,080 pixels) are recorded using the side-by-side method.
Other features include: time-lapse recording where users can set the recording interval to 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes, to playback a scene such as a blooming flower at an accelerated speed; a 5.1-channel audio recording sound system that uses five microphones for playback on a 5.1-channel home cinema system; and a focus microphone function that uses five directional microphones to pick up sound from sources in the area in front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object.
The SDT750 also features a Crystal Engine PRO, a high-speed processing unit that works with the Leica lens to contribute to the camcorder’s light gathering, increased sensitivity and reduced noise when shooting in dim lighting. Other highlights include: a 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD with icons that are operated by touching them with a fingertip, with automatic adjustment of screen brightness; eco mode that automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes; pre-rec, which allows for the continuous recording of three seconds of content to the internal memory; and, when the 3D lens is not attached, Panasonic’s intelligent auto (iA) function engages so the camcorder automatically selects the best shooting modes. While shooting HD video, iA mode provides face recognition, AF/AE tracking, intelligent scene selector, face detection, intelligent contrast control and the new Hybrid OIS, added to increase hand-shake correction.
For added creativity, a manual ring can control a variety of manual adjustments: focus; zoom; exposure (iris); shutter speed; and white balance. (Only the white balance setting is available when the 3D conversion lens is attached.)
Bundled with the camcorder is HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software, for editing recorded 3D images and saving them to PCs or Blu-ray/DVD discs. Its “smart wizard” will start as soon as the SDT750 is connected to the USB port of the computer, providing on-screen guidance. HD Writer AE 2.6T also enables the uploading of video to the Web.
Panasonic’s HDC-SDT750 will be available in October. $1,399.95. panasonic.com
