Consumer Camcorders

The northern hemisphere is currently deep in the heart of winter, but that isn't stopping new camcorder models from blooming like fresh spring flowers. JVC has announced the new 2011 lineup of HD Everio camcorders, which offer excellent performance and some handy new features. In this post I'll clearly explain what separates these camcorders from the competition.

The new HD170 Stealth shares many features and similarities with the original HD170 model, but there's a lot more to it besides its new, black "stealthy" color. The Stealth comes with a new chip that enables you to shoot 60 fps video (which is ideal for slow motion), as well as 25 and 50 fps for European thrill seekers. It's a sweet, low-profile HD camera that you can strap on to capture the ride of your life.

How much could you reasonably ask for in a camcorder that fits in the palm of your hand? Would it be too much to ask for 32 gigs of internal flash memory, in addition to dual SDXC card slots? How about a color viewfinder and a touch-screen LCD?

Flip Video has unveiled its fall line of UltraHD and MinoHD pocket camcorders. Most models now have built-in image stabilization and capture video at 720p/60 frames per second. The UltraHD 2-hour version (black or white) debuts the FlipPort, a proprietary connector that can be plugged into specially designed accessories including external microphones (wired or wireless) for audio pickup close to the subject and external batteries for extra power.

With manufacturers splitting their camcorders between ones sporting optical zoom lenses, memory card slots and removable batteries, and pocket models with digital zoom, internal memory and embedded batteries, Sony has expanded its choices in the latter category with the introduction of four Bloggie Touch cameras.

It’s difficult to hold a camcorder while, say, climbing up a sheer face in Yosemite. But there are many camcorders on the market that allow hands-free operation.

Easy to operate ultra-compact camcorders are really stealing the show these days, and Sony's new higher end HDR-TG5V high definition Handycam is an impressive little performer for those interested in the concentrated form factor but wanting a little more oomph. Marketed for the chic traveler, its lightweight design and clean look combined with enhanced features such as Geotagging and 16GB embedded flash memory make it a great option. 

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