Panasonic Reveals Its New AVHCD Camcorders

Panasonic just unboxed their new high definition camcorders: HDC-SD3 and HDC-DX3(pictured). This comes after Panasonic recently announced another pair for the US: the HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1 models. Panasonic is trying to catch up to Sony' HDR-UX7 1920x1080i resolution AVHCD camcorder which is already available on the market.

Both cameras compress video in the AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format, the new high definition format that allows you to loose the tapes. The HDC-SD3 records HD with 1080i resolution (1920 x 1080) onto SD cards while the mini-DVD HDC-DX3 records onto 8 cm DVD-RAM discs.

The Panasonic HDC-SD3 is actually the world's lightest AVCHD camcorder weighing 490 g (including battery and SD card). Its SDHC (Secure Digital High-Capacity) flash memory stores up to 4 GB for a, err, "credible" 90 minutes of HD video.
Both recorders are H.264/MPEG-4AVC (Advanced Video Encoding) capable for superior image quality.
They feature a 3 CCD chip, 12 x optical zoom, 30 x digital zoom, 2.1 MP still image camera, 3 inch monitor and Dolby Digital 5.1 ch audio.
The HDC-SD3 measures 74x height 69 x depth 142 mm while the DX3 is a bit bigger measuring 92 x height 91 x depth 163 mm. The two also bring new software (editing and finishing) on your desktop. The silver colored devices will hit the Japanese Market on April 25. The HDC-SD3 will retail for 150,000 (1,269 US $) while the HDC-DX3 will cost you 140,000 Yen (1,185US $).

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .