Panasonic Adds Two New HD Camcorders to Its Line

Secaucus, NJ (June 18, 2024) – Panasonic today expanded its High Definition (HD) suite of products, with the announcement of two new full-HD camcorders, the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100, the world’s first* AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system which provides superb video image quality.  The HDC-SD100 records to SD Memory Card, while the hybrid HDC-HS100 records to both SD Memory Card and to its internal 60 GB* hard drive.  Both models include manual functions for the user wanting more precise control over zoom, focus, iris, shutter speed and white balance.  The models also include Panasonic’s new Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, an intuitive set of technologies that automatically activate, making video shooting an easy, seamless process.

“The camcorder market is moving swiftly to High Definition and superior image quality is now a must-have feature.  Moreover, many consumers are also demanding higher-level features, and the ability to be more creative,” said Zoe Susice, Group Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.  “For these users, we introduce two new full-HD 3MOS models – the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 – with manual functions that give users the power to create dramatic, artistic images.  At the same time, we also have our Intelligent Auto mode, which activates several technologies automatically, so the user doesn’t need to make any adjustments, and shooting video is an easy and enjoyable experience.”

The world's first AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system are newly developed by Panasonic and based on the company’s 3CCD technology, an already-established and renowned system that provides excellent color reproduction. With their expanded light-receiving areas, the MOS sensors also significantly improve image quality, even in low lighting.  The three MOS sensors process the red, green, and blue components of incoming light separately, so color reproduction is superb. These sensors also have about double** the light-receiving area of CCD sensors, so image quality when shooting in low light is much higher. Compared with a conventional 1MOS, Panasonic's new 3MOS system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colors, greater detail and richer gradation. This high-precision imaging element is first in the world*** to shoot in lighting as low as 2 lux and helps the SD100 and HS100 capture exceptionally clear, bright images.

Adding to the 3MOS sensor, Panasonic HD Advanced Pure Color Engine and a new Leica**** Dicomar lens – helps the SD100 and HS100 deliver the outstanding images in full-HD 1920 x 1080 recording*****.  Full-HD recording, with its total of 2,070,000 pixels, provides exceptional image details and rich colors.  The Leica Dicomer lens system used in camcorders comprise 12 lenses in 9 groups, including aspherical lenses to improve resolution and contrast and an LD (low-dispersion) lens to help prevent color bleeding. Also, a special multi-coating process is applied to all lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration, so images are crisp, clear, and free of flare and ghosting. The use of a highly-refractive lens also made it possible to have both 12x zoom power and a compact body.

To maximize the capabilities of the new HD-level 3MOS sensor featured in the SD100 and HS100, Panasonic further enhanced the company’s renowned Advanced Pure Color Engine image processor with the introduction of the new HD Advanced Pure Color Engine. A noise reduction circuit combines with the Intelligent Contrast Control circuit to boost image quality while reducing power consumption. The dynamic range is also about twice that in previous Panasonic models, which helps prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows and allows more natural color expression. Offering both higher image quality and longer battery life, the HD Advanced Pure Color Engine takes camcorder performance to new heights.