Panasonic Adds Six New 1MOS Full-HD Compact Camcorders Featuring Powerful Zooms, Wide-Angle Lenses and Optical Image Stabilizers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic today announced six new 1MOS Full-High Definition (HD) camcorders for its 2012 line. The HC-V700, HC-V700M, HC-V500, HC-V500M, HC-V100 and HC-V100M, all have a 1MOS sensor with 1920 x 1080 resolution and capture exceptionally high-quality videos in various lighting conditions.  All camcorders feature a compact body to make them more convenient to carry anywhere, an ultra-telephoto zoom, wide-angle lenses, and Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) to control blur caused by a shaky hand.

"Panasonic's 2012 camcorders are conveniently sized and extremely versatile for a wide variety of shooting situations," said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America.  "From the light weight and extended recording capability of the HC-V100 and HC-V100M, to the 2D to 3D conversion capability and special effect modes of the HC-V500 and HC-V500M, to the 3D recording capability and High Sensitivity Sensor of the HC-V700 and HC-V700M, there is a Panasonic camcorder model to match virtually any consumer ready to record."

The top-of-the-line 1MOS camcorders, the Panasonic's HC-V700 and HC-V700M models, capture stunning indoor and nighttime shots, regardless of dark lighting conditions.  Thanks to the High Sensitivity Sensor, which greatly improves image quality in low-light conditions, users can record crisp, bright images with minimal noise whether they are shooting in good light or in poor light.  After capture, the user can view the video on an ultra-sharp 460K dot LCD with touch control.

Users can also shoot lifelike, textured 3D images by simply mounting a 3D conversion lens, such as the new VW-CLT2, to the HC-V700 and HC-V700M.  Even without mounting the conversion lens, images shot in 2D can be converted to 3D by the image processing of the new 2D to 3D Conversion function. 

Panasonic also introduces the HC-V500 and HC-V500M camcorders, which are stylish, easy-to-use, compact models that take beautiful shots of distant subjects and perform superbly in dim lighting.  These models feature the Advanced Highlight Playback function (also available in the HC-V700 and HC-V700M), which is designed for users who want to view recorded images as quickly as possible.  This feature uses the I.I.S. (Intelligent Index System) to detect zooming, panning, scene changes, and faces in recorded images as "highlights."  It then automatically plays back the detected highlight scenes, or ones that the user has personally selected.  It also offers playback effects such as Slow, Fading Still Image, and Flash Playback.

The HC-V500 and HC-V500M models offer several features that allow users to exercise their creativity:

• 2D to 3D Conversion function - can convert 2D images recorded by the user into 3D images
• Four special effect modes – Natural, Pop, Dynamic & Classical – each adding a special effect suitable for the mood of recorded footage, to create impressive images that allow viewers to imagine the occasion and place of shooting

For consumers looking for a super lightweight camcorder option, Panasonic offers the HC-V100 and HC-V100M.  The compact body measures 2.028" x 2.343" x 4.429", approximately the size of a can of soda. These models also feature low power consumption and extended recording capability, which makes them ideal for traveling, outdoor shooting, or other situations when it is difficult to charge the battery.  Users are able to shoot continuously for 155 minutes in high-quality Full-HD without worrying about remaining battery power.

All six models feature a powerful, ultra-telephoto zoom that brings faraway subjects right up close to capture dynamic images that fill the entire frame.  The Intelligent Zoom feature employs super-high resolution technology, Image Processing LSI, and ultra-telephoto shooting to exceed the magnification range of the ordinary optical zoom.  Even when the optical zoom range is exceeded, telephoto shots maintain their clear, beautiful HD image quality.  The HC-V700 and HC-V700M can achieve ultra-telephoto 46x shooting beyond the optical zoom range of 21x; the HC-V500 and HC-V500M can capture beautiful pictures beyond the ordinary 38x optical zoom and up to a high-powered 50x zoom; and the HC-V100 and HC-V100M enable users to capture beautiful pictures beyond the ordinary 34x optical zoom and up to a high-powered 42x zoom.

To capture wide landscapes and allow large groups of people to fit into the frame, all six models come equipped with a wide-angle lens.  When recording indoors or in tight spaces, this setting also makes it possible to shoot at a close distance from the subject, while fitting both the subject and the surrounding area into the frame. The HC-V700 and HC-V700M have a 28mm wide-angle, the HC-V500 and HC-V500M have a 32.4mm wide-angle, and the HC-V100 and HC-V100M have a 32.5mm wide-angle.

To correct blurring caused by a shaky hand through the full zoom range from wide-angle to tele-photo, all six models also feature variations of an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.).  The HYBRID O.I.S. + (available in the HC-V700, HC-V700M, HC-V500 and HC-V500M) thoroughly suppresses blurring across the entire zoom range, so every scene is captured in crisp, beautiful images even when the user shoots while walking or takes handheld zoom shots with high magnification.  The hybrid correction function is now also effective for wide-angle shooting.  The HC-V100 & HC-V100M feature POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode, a high-quality optical hand-shake compensation function essential for compact, lightweight camcorders.  Because these are optical systems, they cause no image degradation; as a result, the original image quality captured by the lens remains intact, all the way from wide-angle to powerful zoom. 

All six models also feature iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode with Face Recognition, which selects the most suitable shooting mode with the press of a button.  Face Recognition finds the faces of registered people (up to six faces) and optimizes the focus and exposure for them. The camcorder continues to track this subject as the person moves anywhere within the frame.

The Panasonic HC-V700, HC-V700M, HC-V500, and HC-V500M also include:

• Eco-Mode(*1) – Automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power
• Intuitive Touch-Screen Operation with a Wide 3.0" LCD – features advanced new touch-operation functions that allow for extremely smooth shooting and playback, including:
  • Touch Zoom – Swiftly zoom in or out with the touch or swipe of the finger
  • Touch Shutter – Focus and take a digital photo by touching the subject on the screen(*2)

For storage of recorded videos the HC-V700, HC-V500 and HC-V100 offer a SD Card slot that supports SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards.  Meanwhile, the HC-V700M, HC-V500M and HC-V100M are equipped with an SD Card slot which supports the same Memory Cards in addition to 16GB of built-in memory. 

Pricing and 2012 availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping.  The Panasonic HC-V700, HC-V700M, HC-V500, HC-V500M, HC-V100 and HC-V100M will be available in black.  For more information, and live coverage on January 10-11 from Panasonic at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, please visit www.panasonic.com/CES. Plus, follow Panasonic's CES activities on Twitter @PanasonicEvents and join the conversations.

*1 Set to ON when shipped from the factory

*2 Cannot be used in video recording.

About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in the U.S. and Canada.  The Company's portfolio of innovative consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. 

Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicdirect, and additional company information for media is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic