New Camcorder Technology for 2009

Electronics manufacturer Panasonic released details of three new "super-zoom" camcorders this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They are expected to go on sale in April and retail at relatively affordable prices.

Each of the three new camcorders will feature an incredible 70x optical zoom lens, along with a host of other features. Each camcorder will also sport optical image stabilization (OIS) to keep the frame steady when filming long-range video, and they'll also feature Panasonic's exclusive Intelligent Auto Mode. This feature is great for beginners, because it automatically operates the camcorder's face detection mode, scene selection, and image stabilization settings.

Here are some more details about each of the soon to be released models:

Panasonic H90 features an 80GB HDD and an SDHC card slot for additional memory capabilities. It will be available in black for $499.

Panasonic H80 features a 60GB HDD and is available in silver, red, black and blue for $449.

Panasonic S26 records onto SD/SDHC memory cards and will be available in four flavors: champagne, black, blue and red, and it's expected to retail for an affordable $329.

All three of these camcorders are standard-definition models, which mean all of you high-definition fans out there will have to look elsewhere to get your fill. If you don't mind filming in standard-definition format, or you don't have an HDTV at home, these affordable camcorders should surely be on your short-list this spring.

World's First Ever Waterproof HD Camcorder Makes a Splash

Sanyo recently unveiled their VPC-WH1 high-definition (HD) camcorder at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and it happens to be the first-ever waterproof HD camcorder. Until now, shooting video in the rain, on a speed boat, in the snow, and of course, underwater, was something that could severely damage an HD camcorder, but not anymore.

The new Sanyo VPC-WH1 is expected to be in stores sometime in early 2009 (no word on pricing yet), and it should be a big hit amongst consumers. Here's a quick rundown of its main features:

Shoots video in 720p HD resolution

Waterproof up to 10-feet (perfect for snorkeling)

30x optical zoom

Records onto SD or SDHC memory cards (a 16GB SD card will give you over three hours of HD footage)

Takes 2-megapixel digital photos

The VPC-WH1 should open up the flood gates for other camcorder manufacturers to start producing waterproof HD camcorders, but for now it's the only one on the market. And it should be available in stores just in time for your spring break snorkeling trip to the Caribbean!