Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D Camcorder review

3D video is the new technology buzzword for 2010. Having released 3D TVs and 3D blu-ray players, Panasonic is first with a consumer 3D camcorder – the Panasonic HDC-SDT750. It has a 3D conversion lens that enables the camcorder to shoot 3D video content. In addition to shooting 3D, the HDC-SDT750 can record in full 1080p hi-def when the 3D conversion lens is unattached.

The HDC-SDT750 is an extension of the Panasonic 700 series line of camcorders with almost the same basic features. It has a detachable 3D conversion lens that protrudes about 3.8″ on the front. The awkward looking lens takes some getting used to. The specially-designed 3D conversion lens records right-eye and left-eye images simultaneously through its two lenses, thus resulting in video that can be viewed in 3D. The right and left images are recorded at a resolution of 960 x 1080 pixels which should look fine on standard 3D TVs.

The HDC-SDT750 records at 1080/60p full hi-definition video resolution which produces sharp images and deep colors in stunning detail. It also has a Time Lapse Recording feature, which plays a scene such as a sunset or a blooming flower at an accelerated speed, making the slow change in the scene appear as if it were taking place in a very short time. You can thus view a long recording in a reduced time period. This is done by setting the recording interval to 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes. The useful manual control ring first seen in the 700 series is also included in this model. The manual ring provides convenient, fingertip control of the focus, zoom, exposure, shutter speed and white balance settings.

To accompany the detailed video output, the SDT750 comes with a 5.1-channel audio recording that uses five highly-directional microphones. The Focus Microphone function picks up the sounds from subjects in the area in front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object. It also allows footage recorded in 3D to be enjoyed with lifelike and dynamic sounds.

Other features

• Auto Power LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen according to the shooting environment for comfortable use in a variety of different lighting situations.
• Large 3.0” touch-screen LCD allows icons to be easily operated by touching them with a fingertip. On the LCD, recorded 3D images are displayed only as the 2D images that were recorded with the left lens.
• Eco Mode automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power.
• Pre-Rec allows for the camcorder to continuously record three seconds of content into internal memory. Then, when the record button is pressed, the three seconds immediately prior will have been recorded.

Price of this Camcorder is around $1250 USDs.