Panasonic Canada Inc. has announced a new consumer camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750, that enables users to shoot 3D video content.

To shoot in 3D, users attach a supplied dual-optic 3D conversion lens. The lens captures separate left- and right-eye images, each at 960x1080-pixel resolution. These are stored by the camcorder in side-by-side format. Zooming does not work in 3D mode; the camera sets the built-in lens to full wide-angle. 3D video can be viewed by connecting the camcorder to a 3D-capable TV, such as Panasonic's VT20 and VT25 series of 3D-capable plasmas, via HDMI, or by inserting an SD memory card with 3D footage into an AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray player that is connected to a 3D-capable TV. To view images in 3D, viewers have to wear appropriate glasses, and also select the side-by-side 3D format in the TV's menu.

In addition to shooting in 3D, the SDT750 can record full 1080p60 HD 2D video in AVCHD format when the 3D conversion lens is unattached. It offers a wide range of manual adjustments controlled by a manual ring, allowing fingertip control of focus, zoom, exposure (iris), shutter speed and white balance. (Only the white balance setting is available when the 3D conversion lens is attached.)

The HDC-SDT750 employs a 3MOS imaging system and 12x Leica Dicomar f/1.5 zoom lens. The high-sensitivity 3MOS System has 7.59 million (effective) motion image pixels (2.53 megapixels x 3). The camcorder separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colours (red, green and blue), and processes each colour independently, improving noise performance, detail, and colour and tonal gradation.

The SDT750 also features a Time Lapse Recording feature. By setting the recording to various intervals (one second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, one minute or two minutes), long scenes can be viewed in a reduced time period. For example, if a sunset is recorded at the one-second interval setting, a 10-minute sunset can viewed in 10 seconds, making the slow change in the sun's position in the sky appear as if it were taking place in a very short time. This interval-recording feature is also available when the 3D conversion lens is attached.

The SDT750 offers a five-channel audio recording sound system that uses five microphones. When camcorder footage (either 2D or 3D) is played on a 5.1-channel home-theatre system, the listener is immersed in a 3D soundfield. The Focus Microphone function, which has been made possible by five highly directional microphones, picks up sounds from the front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object.

The bundled HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software allows users to edit recorded 3D images and save them onto PCs or Blu-ray/DVD discs. HD Writer AE 2.6T features a Smart Wizard that starts as soon as the SDT750 is connected to the USB port of the computer, and provides simple on-screen guidance. HD Writer AE 2.6T also allows uploading and sharing online without the need for any additional processes. When uploading 3D images from a PC onto the web, they must first be converted into 2D images.

Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) function simplifies operation for users who want auto-everything operation. When the 3D lens is not attached and iA is engaged, the SDT750 automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode with the press of a button. While shooting HD video, the Panasonic SDT750's iA function offers the following six functions: Face Recognition, the new Hybrid O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Intelligent Contrast Control. Hybrid O.I.S., a new feature, precisely compensates for camera shake with its four-axis blur detection.

Other features of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 include:
• Auto Power LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen according to the shooting environment for comfortable use in a variety of different lighting situations.
• Large 3.0" touchscreen LCD allows icons to be easily operated by touching them with a fingertip. On the LCD, recorded 3D images are displayed only as the 2D images that were recorded with the left lens.
• Eco Mode automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power.
• Pre-Rec allows for the camcorder to continuously record three seconds of content into internal memory. Then, when the record button is pressed, the three seconds immediately prior will have been recorded.

The HDC-SDT750 will be available in Canada in October for $1,600 MSRP.

Article Tags:  Panasonic, 3D, camcorder, AVCHD, HD, HDTV, HDC-SDT750, SDT750, Leico, Dicomar, 5.1-channel, time lapse, 3MOS