Panasonic just got all up in Flip’s business with the HM-TA1, Panny’s first pocket camcorder. It’s no child’s toy though; despite the user-friendly design and simple operation, the TA1 packs serious video tech, starting with a sensor that allows it to capture full 1080p HD videos at 30fps, 8-megapixel stills, and a built-in LED light for shooting in the dark.
HD video recording and photo captures should have been the end of it, but it does come with a few more extras to sweeten the deal. What sets it apart from other cams is the support for Apple’s iFrame encoding that allows it to record in Mac-friendly bits, and a webcam mode that supports Skype video calls after you connect it to a PC. In-cam software includes built-in digital image stabilization to reduce the shakes, and multiple filters will let you get creative.
Less than an inch thick and weighing around 1/5th of a pound, the TA1 also packs a decent 2-inch LCD screen for previews, reviews and in-cam editing, a 4x digital zoom, and a 940mAh rechargeable battery that can be charged via a swing-out USB connection.
Due out in August, it’s comparatively cheap at $170, although it doesn’t come with integrated storage. The TA1 uses an SD card slot for storing your recorded stuff, which shouldn’t be a big minus. SD cards are cheap and easily replaceable, and $170 for an HD pocket camcorder—albeit one with no built-in storage—still sounds like a good deal.
Tags: Digital Camcorders, Panasonic, Pocket Camcorders
