We’re still waiting on a consumer level camera that can capture HD footage at high enough frame rate to achieve ultra detailed slow-mo shoots.  And while $25,000 is a far from affordable for the general population, it’s probably a fair bit cheaper than that Phantom camera used in Jackass 3D and other Hollywood productions.  Nevertheless, that’s the starting cost of Vision Research’s M110, M310, and M120, which as it happens are the same folks that developed the Phantom 3D slow-mo camera.

The Miro M110 and M310 are both a 1-megapixel affair that can capture up to a  1280 x 800 resolution.  The lesser of the two, the M110, can achieve a 1600 fps at full resolution, while the M310 can achieve a 3200 fps.  If you’re willing to sacrifice quality in favor of frames per second, they can achieve 400,000fps and 600,00 fps respectively.

For those looking for a full HD experience, they won’t have to look any further than the 2-megapixel M120, which can achieve 730 fps when recording at 1920×1200, 800 fps at 1920×1080 or 1200 fps at 1152×1152.  And like the two other models its speed can be increased to 200,000 fps, with of course the caveat of reduced resolution.

Strangely enough, these cameras are only available in 3GB, 6GB, or 12GB memory configurations. However, they are compact, rugged and apparently operate in low light scenarios.

Expect Vision Research’s newest cameras to ship mid-January.

Available starting April, for $250, the Casio Tryx is a 1080p cam that has the looks of a transformer phone but more than those of a mid-tier camcorder.

In fact, the design is innovative even by phone standards, with a full 360-degree swiveling frame that surrounds the 3 inch 460k pixel touch screen.

Did I mention this camcorder is almost all screen real estate? It looks more like a media player. But the frame allows for a lot of comfortable and innovative grip variations, and obviously it can be used as a kickstand, which turns the Tryx into a – you guessed it – media player.

With a 12.1MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the Tryx should shoot very good 1080p video, and with a 21mm lens, it’s got a wide angle of view that doesn’t scream prosumer camcorder. Rounding out the features are touch focus and shutter, slow-mo video, HDR and 360 degree panoramas.

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24 frames per second is the industry standard for movies, but ever wish you could get about 2,776 more? The Phantom Flex camcorder from Vision Research shoots an insane 2,800 frames in one second at 1080p resolution. If the resolution goes down to VGA, that size increases to 6,300. The camera includes a 4K 2560×1600 CMOS sensor with 12 bit color. I think they should give the crew of the next Planet Earth one of these things and see what happens.

Now only if we knew the price.

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JVC popped out a new HD camcorder today, the Everio GZ-HM400.  The handheld consumer level camera includes JVC’s Konica Minolta HD lens that not only captures 1920×1080 video, but 5.3 megapixel still photos.  For sports enthusiasts or soccer moms alike, the HM40 can record slow-mo video at up to 600fps, but at those speeds you’ll have to be willing to sacrifice picture resolution at a tune of 640×72.  Image stabilization is optical and uses two active prisms to correct camera shake, while the remaining features include three buttons dedicated to aperture control, shutter speed and a custom user setting; 16 person face detection, One Touch YouTube upload and One Touch Export function to iTunes.

The Everio GZ-HM400 is available now for $999.95, although Amazon has it for $899.95.

JVC Launches New HD Everio Memory Camera For Video Enthusiasts

New HD Everio GZ-HM400 offers Full HD, 9 MP stills and slow motion.

WAYNE, NJ, September 14, 2009 – JVC today announced a new video camera that offers the performance, features and handling demanded by video enthusiasts. The new JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400, available immediately, emphasizes image quality and usability in a design that videographers will find allows comfortable extended use.

The HD Everio GZ-HM400, which records to an SD/SDHC card and includes 32GB of internal memory, features a 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers nine-megapixel still images and 1080 TV lines of horizontal resolution for Full HD video. High-speed recording of up to 600fps is also possible for slow-motion playback of sports and other fast action. The camera’s features are easily accessible through an intuitive user interface that features analog-like dial adjustment and direct-access buttons.

The core image sensing device for this camera is a 1/2.33-inch 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor with Bayer Array RGB Color Filter. This translates into obvious advantages in digital still photography, as nine-megapixel stills are possible without any need for interpolation.

For video, the high-speed image processing of 5.3 million effective pixels applied by the HD Gigabrid Premium II Engine’s super high-band processor results in 1080 TV lines of horizontal resolution — the theoretical maximum level of 1920 x 1080 Full HD. What’s more, the 24 Mbps recording capability of this engine (UXP mode) — the highest bit rate possible for AVCHD video — delivers detailed images with fluid motion.

Optically, the GZ-HM400 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS that provides a high-resolution image source. But perhaps more noteworthy is the JVC-developed optical image stabilizer that uses two active prisms to correct camera shake at the lens entrance before the image enters the lens. The two prisms, compensating in the horizontal and vertical directions, provide the same effectiveness throughout the entire zoom range, from wide to telephoto.

On the top of the camera are three buttons, “A”, “S” and “U”, for selecting shooting modes. “A” selects the Aperture Priority Setting, “S” is for selecting the shutter speed, and “U” is User-Assignable, which lets users assign their own frequently used settings to this button. Positioned next to the lens barrel are controls for manual brightness and focus adjustment; just tilt a lever switch to select either brightness or focus, then turn the manual adjustment dial in the direction desired. This “analog” type control provides more intuitive operation and allows fine-tuning of both settings. What’s more, when used in conjunction with the SET button, this same dial allows easy setting of various other functions with menu-free simplicity.

Zoom is controlled by a seesaw-style zoom lever, which provides smooth zooming. The body is sculpted to offer a sure-grip contour, and size-balanced to afford extended operation with reduced fatigue.

Three different high-speed recording modes are available for slow-motion video playback: 600fps, 300fps and 120fps. For instance, at 600fps, motion occurring over a mere 2.4 seconds is slowed down to 24 seconds (10 times as long), enabling the user to capture crucial moments that are not visible to the naked eye. This function can be used as an effective tool for sport technique analysis, nature studies, and much more.

For still image shooting, up to 60fps 5.3-megapixel stills can be shot in a continuous burst of up to 11 images. Or, if preferred, continuous shooting of up to six nine-megapixel stills at up to 15fps is also possible. It is also possible to shoot 5.3-megapixel stills simultaneously while recording 1920 x 1080 Full HD video.

JVC’s K2 Technology, a proven technology in the audio field that restores fine sound details that are lost during compression, has been incorporated for the first time in a camera.

Other noteworthy features of the GZ-HM400 include Face Detection technology that identifies up to 16 faces to accurately adjust the focus and exposure, as well as One Touch Upload to YouTube™ and the One Touch Export function to easily export videos and stills to an iTunes® Library.

In addition to the SHARE STATION DVD Burner that allows easy AVCHD DVD burning without using a PC, this year JVC offers a new option for playback and enjoyment of GZ-HM400’s recordings. The new CU-VS100 HD Media Player plays back AVCHD video saved on an SD card, with double slots for uninterrupted playback from two cards. HDMI connection to an HDTV assures maximum quality enjoyment without complicated wiring.

PC users will appreciate the GZ-HM400’s Everio MediaBrowser, a single application for everything from simple editing to file playback and management.

The JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400 is available immediately at a nationally advertised value of $999.95.

About JVC U.S.A.
JVC U.S.A., headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment for the consumer and professional markets. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 1-800-526-5308.

All brand names are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders.

JVC just dropped a brand new, and small 1080p handycam on us.  And unfortunately it hurts, because at a $1000 a pop its a bit painful.  But unlike many other HD handycams out there this one comes with a few extra features.  For one, it can capture 5 megapixel stills at 60fps and 9MP stills at 15fps.  However, the really cool stuff has yet to be mentioned.  So what is it already?  The JVC GZ-X900 can record video at up to 600 fps.  Of course, with the increase in frame rate comes low rez, 640×72 to be exact.  Furthermore, the total recording time at the accelerated FPS maxes out at about 2.5 seconds (or 4 second in 120 or 300fps), which means bursts of imagery that can be stitched together in up to 80 second segments. Check the videos below that show off the GZ-X900 slomo abilities.  They’re ordered in highest FPS to slowest.

The JVC GZ-X900 will hit this June.

Other specs:

• 1/2.33″ CMOS, 10.3 Megapixel
• Face detect
• Image statbilization
• 2.7-inch LCD
• .55lbs
• SD card slot
• You Tube one touch upload

[JVC]

Before you roll your eyes and huff about yet another digital camera I insist you read on as the Ricoh CX1 is like no point and shoot before.  Sure it’s got the usual features, such as 7.1x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD and 9.3 megapixel sensor.  But what makes this camera truly unique are three special features: HDR image capture, multitarget auto focus function and slow-mo.  HDR, or high dynamic range capture the scene at two exposure levels.  Usually you have to do this in post, but the CX1 does this instantaneously and should make for some snazzy, and perhaps overly trendy photographs.  The multitarget AF function allows the camera to predetermine 7 focal lengths and then with a push of the shutter button consecutively captures them.  Lastly, it can capture 640×480 video at up to 120 fps.

No word on US release or price.

[Ricoh]