Panasonic Jumps Out with 3D Consumer Camcorder

By Geoff Duncan July 28, 2010

The consumer electronics industry is all abuzz over 3D technology, and Panasonic wants to get out in front of the home 3D market: today the company announced its HDC-SDT750 camcorder, which can capture 3D movies using a special 3D conversion lens. And if, for some odd reason, you need to capture 2D footage, the lends can be removed and the camera acts as a standard 2D camcorder.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Incorporating Panasonic’s professional broadcast technology and bringing it to an easy-to-use consumer model, the SDT750 makes high-quality 3D video content a reality in the home,” said Panasonic senior product manager for imaging Chris Rice, in a statement.

The 3D lens attaches to the HDC-SDT750’s Leica 12× optical zoom lens, and enables the camera to capture two 960 by 1,080-pixel images at the same time, recording separate images for the left and right eye; these movies can be displays on 3D HDTVs with compatible shutter glasses. Shooting both images reduces the camera’s functionality a bit: the camcorder isn’t as light sensitive, and the control ring can only be used to control white balance in real time.

Without the 3D lens attachment, the HDC-SDT750 can shoot 1,920 by 1,080 HD video at either 50 or 60 frames per second (for NTSC or PAL) or 60 frames per second for AVCHD. The HDC-SDT750 saves video to SDHC/SDXC cards, and includes an intelligent auto mode as well as manual controls, a 3-inch flip-out touchscreen LCD display, 5.1-channel audio recording, and a new version of Panasonic’s Hybrid IOS optical/electronic image stabilization system.

Panasonic hasn’t formally announced pricing, but plans to put the HDC-SDT750 on sale in Japan on August 20, with releases in international markets coming later this year: Panasonic says it plans to bring the camera to the United States in October at a price near $1,400.

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