CHATSWORTH, CALIF.: Sanyo jumped out of the gate this week with two camcorders that use Apple’s new iFrame recording format. The Sanyo VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A record 1080p and 1080i at 60 fps, and iFrame at 960 x 540 at 30 fps, plus they shoot 8 megapixel stills at up to 10x optical zoom--simultaneously with video. Both will do high-speed recording, 240/600 fps, for 1/4 or 1/10 slow-motion playback, and both record to SC/SDHC media cards They feature image stabilizing and “face-chasing” technology.
These two cameras are said to be the first to use Apple’s iFrame format, one that purportedly remains unchanged for editing and renders smaller file sizes than other formats, most likely because of the resolution. Afterdawn.com, a Finnish tech site, describes iFrame thus: “The specs for iFrame don't appear to be a new format so much as a new standard for existing formats. It uses 30fps H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) video and AAC audio. What makes it unique is the video resolution, which is 960 x 540.” (Afterdawn’s review of iFrame is available here.)
The VPC-FH1A has a 3-inch LCD and HDMI output, while the VPC-HD2000A has a 2.7-inch LCD. The camcorders went on sale Tuesday for $499.99 for the FH1A (top image), and $599.99 for the HD200A.
More mini HD capture:
August 6, 2009: “Kodak Pocket HD Camcorder”
The little handheld captures up to 10 hours of full 1080p HD video images in 16:9. It also sports electronic image stabilization and sports a price tag of $179.95.
June 11, 2009: “Featherweight Panasonic HD Cam”
Panasonic this week released two HD video cameras weighing a mere eight ounces that capture at 1920 x 1080 and run between $550 and $600.
May 22, 2009: “Hitachi Cell Phone Record 720p”
The new Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Wooo is said to have 1,280-by-720 video recording, a 5 megapixel sensor, HDMI interface and a microSDHC slot.
