Now this is pretty special. Pocket camcorders are usually base-spec video cameras designed more for recording quick clips for internet uploads, but Sanyo’s new pocket-cam, the VPC-PD2BK, breaks the mold with a relatively high spec.
It’s still pretty compact with a 2-inch LCD, but the PD2BK comes with tech that allows it to shoot 1080p videos (with stereo sound via two microphones) and 10-megapixel images. The optics also get an upgrade over the usual pocket cam’s fixed lens and digital zoom: this cam packs a 3x optical zoom lens and digital image stabilization for shooting either photos and videos, plus Face Detection for snapping optimized people-shots.
Storage comes by way of an SD card slot, but a mini HDMI port allows it to play back recorded media straight to an HDTV. A built-in USB interface will let you plug it in straight to a computer without needing to bring the cable.
For doing easy uploads, the package also comes with Sanyo’s embedded software for sharing photos and videos straight to social media sites like YouTube, Picasa, Facebook, and Twitter. The Xacti uploader loads as soon as you plug the cam into a PC, and comes with quick controls for tagging and quickly uploading content to your account.
The PD2BK is expected to ship in September for $170.
Tags: Digital Camcorders, Pocket Camcorders, Sanyo
