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› archive for July 14th, 2010

Canon Announces VIXIA HF M32

So, while maybe not quite as exciting as Sony’s NEX-VG10 announcement, Canon has also brought us a new camcorder today, the VIXIA HF M32. And, while it may not be as ground-breaking as Sony’s, Canon does bring significantly more toucan to the table. Which is all right by me, I rather like toucans.

An update to its solid VIXIA line, the M32 puts in a 64GB flash drive, straps on a 15x zoom, and has all the other usual things like a touchscreen, HD recording, etc. It is compatible with SDXC, and Eye-Fi, so, you have some card options there.

Price is being quoted at about a grand, also out September(ish). Engadget has the full press release, which is among the shorter I’ve seen lately.



Sony Announces NEX-VG10 Camcorder, Makes Derek Choke On Coffee

OK, so, make no mistake here, we’re all very interested in Sony’s kinda revolutionary new camcorder. It combines things we like, like big ol’ Sony Alpha sensors, BIONZ processors, and the ability to take those new E-Mount lenses that we’re coming to be duly impressed with on their NEX-3 and NEX-5 still shooters. So don’t get us wrong, this is cool.

But, it’s hard to read a statement like this one from the press release and not have a bit of a laugh:

“The NEX-VG10 takes Sony’s Handycam line to the next level by allowing unprecedented artistic expression that isn’t possible with conventional consumer video cameras,” said Andy Bubala, director of Sony’s camcorder business. “With this camcorder, video enthusiasts and photographers can now capture cinematic full HD movies and premium stereo sound.”

Yeee-up, way to call it Sony, tackling those impossible things like premium sound and HD. Certainly those were way more difficult to bring to a consumer level than say, insanely shallow depth of field relative to even most professional camcorders, or the comparatively affordable flexibility of the well-made, sharp, and reassuringly metal-clad E lenses. For reals, yo.

We jest. We do. Sony’s been cranking out nothing but stellar things for a bit now, and they were already one of the very best in consumer camcorders. This can only be a remarkable device once it finally gets here, and if the still equivalents are any indication, it’s performance will float somewhere around “magic-like.”

Oh, and it’ll take Memory stick or SDHC/SDXC. And did we mention full HD video and premium sound? Yeah?

Sony’s saying “September” and around “$2,000″ in their press release. We’ll see what happens.




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