You somehow knew it was inevitable that someone would the relatively small pocket camcorder niche would soon replace those tiny screens and basic buttons with full touchscreens. Kodak did it a couple of days ago with the Playtouch, and now JVC drops a couple into the mix with the Picsio GC-FM2 and GC-WP10. While both feature 1080p recording and a relatively large 3-inch screen that takes up the whole area at the back, the WP10 offers a different twist with a waterproof case.
The WP10’s water resistance rating is at par with most entry-level consumer cams at 10 feet, which should be enough for your everyday, splash-around-in-the-pool-type activities, but both cams feature the same basics: HD video recording, 5MP still shooting, 4x digital zoom, easy uploads to YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo, and a special Mac-friendly setting for doing quick iMovie edits. Storage is added through an SD/SDXC slot, and Eye-Fi card support allows you to add Wi-fi connectivity to both cams.
Both also feature time-lapse recording which, while certainly not necessary, allows you to create really awesome videos. Seriously. Have you ever seen a time lapse of anything and didn’t find it entertaining?
Both the waterproof WP10 and the regular FM2 are due out next month. The FM2 will arrive first for $180, while the WP10 will ship by the end of September for $200.
Tags: JVC, Picsio, Pocket Camcorders, Rugged
