SECAUCUS, N.J., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Panasonic
introduces the new HDC-SDX1, the world's lightest*1 full-High
Definition (HD) camcorder, featuring an ultra-compact body and
weighing in at just under 0.41 lbs. With its stylish and
lightweight design, the new Panasonic SDX1 features a 35.8mm
wide-angle lens*2, 23x Intelligent Zoom and can also double as a
Web camera with built-in capabilities for Internet video
calling.
In addition to being a camcorder that can capture HD video
content, the SDX1 also serves as a Web camera and microphone,
allowing for users to connect with online video chat programs, such
as Skype*3, and make video calls over the Internet to enable easy
visual communication. By simply connecting the SDX1 to a computer,
users can enjoy face-to-face communication with family or friends
in distant locations right on the computer screen. In addition, the
SDX1 supports Apple© iFrame video format for smooth and easy
loading and editing of image data using a Mac® computer. Users can
directly upload video clips to YouTube™ or Facebook® without having
to launch a browser, for quick video sharing with included
software.
"With the addition of the SDX1, Panasonic has given consumers a
versatile camcorder that can be used not only for high-quality
video shooting, but also sharing these precious recorded moments
with family and friends who may be far away," said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging,
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "We do our best to provide
products that adapt to the ever-changing world of technology and
this model does just that – it's a camcorder that shoots
high-quality video, using its incredible zooming capabilities and
advanced optical technology – while providing consumers with the
ability to make video calls from a computer."
The Panasonic HDC-SDX1 also features a newly-developed HYBRID
Optical Image Stabilization system (O.I.S.), an image stabilization
system that provides optical and electrical hand-shake correction.
This system specifically helps when zooming, making it possible to
record beautiful videos. In addition to the HYBRID O.I.S. system,
the SDX1 provides even more powerful hand-shake correction with
O.I.S. Lock. By pressing the O.I.S. Lock button on the LCD monitor,
the blur detection sensitivity is maximized and other camera
movements are detected and corrected.
While compact in size and light in weight, the SDX1 is packed
with advanced features. It has full-HD AVCHD recording capabilities
with outstanding 1920 x 1080*4 image quality, and records in the
PC-friendly MP4 format. Its 35.8mm wide-angle setting is optimal
for recording portraits indoors, as well as sweeping landscapes and
even allows for voices to be clearly recorded at far distances. The
Intelligent Zoom function which was achieved with the Intelligent
Resolution technology of the newly-evolved image processing LSI,
makes it possible to take telephoto shots with zoom power up to
23x.
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) mode automatically selects the
most suitable of six shooting modes at the simple press of a
button. These include Face Recognition, the new HYBRID O.I.S.,
AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and
Intelligent Contrast Control.
- Face Recognition finds the registered faces of subjects and
automatically optimizes the focus and exposure, while continuously
tracking them as they move around within the LCD frame.
- HYBRID O.I.S. provides more accurate hand-shake correction with
its four-axis blur detection, helping to steady images even when
zooming or shooting a moving subject.
- AF/AE Tracking tracks a moving subject to make sure it's
recorded in optimal image quality. The normal Auto mode adjusts the
focus and exposure for a subject at the center of the screen. With
AF/AE Tracking, the user "locks on" to a subject by simply touching
the LCD screen.
- Intelligent Scene Selector detects the situation and switches
the scene mode accordingly.
- Face Detection captures faces beautifully even in dim or
backlit scenes.
- Intelligent Contrast Control prevents blown highlights and
blocked shadows to retain natural, highly-nuanced images with
proper contrast.
- Touch Screen Operation with a 2.7-inch wide LCD monitor.
The Panasonic HDC-SDX1 will be available in black in
September 2010 with a suggested
retail price of $499.95. For more
information on Panasonic camcorders, please visit
www.panasonic.com/dvc.
*1 As of July 1, 2010. For a
consumer-use AVCHD 1080i HD digital video camera. 185 grams without
supplied battery and optional SD card. 229 grams with
(supplied) battery and (optional) SD
*2 35mm camera equivalent.
*3 The use of a high-performance CPU is recommended for video
conferencing with high-quality images.
*4 "Full-HD video with 1,920 x 1,080 pixels" in Panasonic
home-use camcorders refers to video recordings with 1,920 pixels in
the horizontal direction and 1,080 pixels in the vertical
direction.
Design and specifications are subject to change without
notice.
YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
Mac and iFrame are trademarks of Apple Inc.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J.,
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), is a Division of
Panasonic Corporation of North
America, the principal North American subsidiary of
Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S.
marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic
is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's
natural resources and protect our environment through the company's
Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is
available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
SOURCE Panasonic