Panasonic Announces HDC-Z10000 3D Camcorder

Panasonic has just announced a new 3D camcorder, the HDC-Z10000. It uses a pair of lenses and dual CMOS sensors to record AVCHD 3D video, and you can see the 3D effect right on the camcorder’s 3.5-inch LCD without wearing 3D glasses. The camcorder can also capture 2.1-megapixel 2D and 3D still images at any time, even while recording 2D or 3D video.

Technically speaking, Panasonic’s delightful new HDC-Z10000 can shoot 2D or 3D video. A macro setting lets you capture 3D content at distances as short as 17.8 inches from the subject, so you can easily catalog your local surroundings in magnificent 3D. Recording modes include AVCHD 3D (1080/60i, 1080/24p and 1080/30p); AVCHD Progressive (1080/60p); and AVCHD (1080/24p, 1080/30p and 1080/60i PH/HA/HE).

The HDC-Z10000’s elaborate double 3MOS system uses two 6.57-megapixel 3MOS sensors to record separate images for the right and left eye. Then, the 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD uses parallax barrier technology to direct the slightly different images to each eye so that the 3D effect can clearly be seen by anyone with two eyes—no discomforting 3D eyewear is required. The display can always be switched to 2D and back to 3D and again back to 2D whenever you like. A crisp, 0.45-inch, 1,227,000-dot electronic viewfinder is also onboard to make framing your shots a breeze.

The HDC-Z10000 features twin 32mm wide-angle lenses, with 10x optical zoom for shooting 3D and 12x optical zoom for shooting 2D. It also benefits from a HYBRID O.I.S. system, which helps to correct hand shake when shooting 2D, and a POWER O.I.S. system to suppress hand shake when shooting in 3D. Those who prefer pointing and shooting can simply do so, while those who like to have more control can operate the three independent rings for zoom, focus and iris control.

Audio doesn’t take a back seat to video with the HDC-Z10000, either. The camcorder has built-in microphones that can record Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound or 2-channel stereo. It also features two XLR audio inputs with 48-volt phantom power for connecting external microphones.

Dual SD memory card slots ensure that you’ll never miss a shot. With two SD memory cards inserted, the camcorder automatically switches to the second card when the first card fills up. You can also have the camcorder record to both cards simultaneously to produce a real-time backup copy, so that a faulty SD card will cause you no woes.