DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Panasonic Adds Optical Image Stabilization, Widescreen And Dual Layer Recording To DVD Camcorders

DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DL and SD Card Compatibility on 2007 Models

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2007) – Panasonic today unveiled an upgraded line of DVD camcorders featuring advances in image-stabilization technology, increased optical zoom range and enhanced usability.

"Panasonic's 2007 models are the next generation of our existing gold-standard DVD camcorder line," said Rudy Vitti, Panasonic's national marketing manager for camcorders. "Since there wasn't anything broken, we had nothing to fix … which enabled us to devote all our resources and attention to packing more performance, features and value into each model."

According to Vitti, the most substantial 2007 upgrade is the addition of Panasonic's Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) system to the value-priced D210 and mid-level D230 models.

"There really is no way to overstate the advantages O.I.S. has over other forms of image stabilization," Vitti noted. "It eliminates the possibility of electronic artifacts or distortion being added to the image, light-loss is almost immeasurable, and it does its work before the image reaches the CCD, enabling it to support major magnification without blurring -- a crucial factor with more and more users displaying their pictures on big-screen HDTVs. Frankly, there is no way we could have increased the zoom range of the D210 and D230 to 32x had we not integrated O.I.S. into them."

Other features on selected DVD Camcorder models include 3.1 megapixel CCDs, one-touch navigation and joystick control for easy, one-handed shooting, low-power EfficiBright™ LEDs for subject illumination with minimal battery drain, SD Card slots, high-speed shutters, 2.7-inch wide LCDs for enhanced 16:9 video composition, multi-format (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL) DVD recording, MPEG 2 VBR (variable bit range) compression technology based on Panasonic's high-end DIGA DVD recorder system, and still-picture recording.

Topping Panasonic's 2007 line of DVD Camcorders, the D310 features a high-precision 3CCD imaging system and Leica extra-low dispersion (ED) Dicomar lens for superb, sharply defined color and maximum ghost and flare resistance.

"DVD Camcorders are all about cost-effectiveness and convenience," Vitti noted, "Users can take the disc right out of the camcorder, pop it into their computer or a DVD player connected to anything from a conventional CRT TV to a 103-inch Panasonic Plasma display, and enjoy their movies with minimal fuss and bother.

Model: VDR-D210 ($449.95, February 2007)
Optical Image Stabilizer, 32x optical zoom, MPEG 2 VBR compression, one-touch navigation & joystick control, 2.7" wide LCD, 16:9 movie mode, high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000), multi-format recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL), MPEG PhotoShot for one-touch still image capture.

Model: VDR-D230 ($499.95, February 2007)
Optical Image Stabilizer, 32x optical zoom, MPEG 2 VBR compression, EfficiBright LED illumination system, one-touch navigation & joystick control, SD Card slot, 2.7" wide LCD, 16:9 movie mode, high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000, disc mode; 1/60-1/500, card mode), still-picture recording, multi-format recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL), USB HS port, DVD Fun Studio,DVD-Movie Album, Imx VCD/DVD 2.0 (Mac) applications

Model: VDR-D310 ($699.95, March 2007)
3CCD imaging system, multi-coated Leica Dicomer ED lens, Optical Image Stabilizer, 3.1MP still-picture recording, multi-format recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL), 10x optical zoom, MPEG 2 VBR compression, one-touch navigation & joystick control, SD Card slot, 2.7" wide LCD, 16:9 movie mode, high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000, disc mode; 1/60-1/500, card mode), USB HS port, DVD Fun Studio, DVD-Movie Album, Imx VCD/DVD 2.0 (Mac) applications