Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"SANYO... introduces a new Full HD (1920 x 1080 30p) Pocket-Size Dual Camera, model VPC-PD2BK, with embedded software for easy use and sharing on social networks. The camera is the only one of its kind that offers Full HD video recording, 10 MP photo shooting, and 3x optical zoom in a stylish form factor that is about the size of a deck of cards."

Although it veers somewhat toward the larger and heavier side of the pocket camcorder market, Sanyo hopes to capture your interest - and part of your spending money - with their new VPC-PD2BK "Dual Camera," by promising an enticing mix of photographic features in addition to the long list of video features that most competitors offer. This model has not been released yet (it is due in September 2010, with a list price of $169.99 US), so it may be a while before full reviews show up, but the specifications look promising, as Sanyo has included a 10.7MP CMOS sensor that is larger (at 1/2.33 inch) than that found in many competing models, to go along with its 3x optical zoom lens and a built-in flash (for still photography only). Alas, it does follow the pocket camcorder norm of having only digital image stabilization - but there is only so much technology that can be packed into what is still a small form factor, at least at this price point.

"Toshiba has decided to test the waters of the digital camcorder market in the United States, today unveiling Camileo line, aiming at a range of every day consumers with a range of sizes and capabilities. The initial offerings include the pocket-sized S20, the compact H30, and the higher-end X100, and all shoot full-HD video, sport 3-inch LCD monitors, and feature one-button uploading to YouTube."

Toshiba has introduced three new affordable camcorders for the US market. They are all fairly basic models, but at affordable prices. The S20 does full HD, is only two thirds of an inch thick, and has an MSRP of only $179. Assuming it will have a slightly cheaper street price, it looks like a nice little camcorder that you could throw in your pocket to record all those spur of the moment events. The other models add more features and quality lenses at a higher price point and larger size. So if you are in the market for a no frills flash based camcorder check out these new Toshiba offerings.