Instead of faking a 3D picture by overlapping images (as some other cameras do), Panasonic’s new Lumix 3D cam and HDC-Z10000 camcorder use two lenses to record the real thing in fat, extra-dimensional HD.
The HDC-Z10000’s 3.5-inch displays shows what you’ve capped in 3D without the need for glasses, using dual CMOS sensors to record 1080i 3D video, or 1080p 2D. Progressive scan 1080 3D filming is available if you ratchet down the framerate to 24. No word on pricing or availability, as of yet. It’s definitely a big boy — nothing in Flip territory — but could be a good pick if you want something for serious (amateur) 3D video cap.
The dual-lens, 4x zoom Lumix 3D is still in the prototyping stage — so details are a bit murky — but will also shoot 3D photos and HD video when it’s released later this year. It’s unclear whether the cam will sport the same glasses-free display as the camcorder, but it’d sure be nice.
SECAUCUS, NJ (August 31, 2011) — Panasonic today announces the HDC-Z10000, its first* integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard, which was also recently announced. The HDC-Z10000 builds on Panasonic’s 3D innovations, having the closest 3D video macro setting with a twin-lens 3D camcorder at approximately 17.8 inches. With this industry-best macro setting, the Panasonic HDC-Z10000, helps capture 3D video that is typically difficult to do, such as flowers, animals and jewellery.
New to Panasonic’s 3D-capable camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD that appears 3D to the naked eye — no 3D eyewear needed. By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes, thus creating a 3D effect. The user can check 3D images while shooting, without having to connect a monitor. Naturally, the display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.
Furthering its technical excellence, the HDC-Z10000 features Panasonic’s unique Double
3MOS System, which produces superb colour and detail reproduction. Featuring two high-sensitivity 3MOS sensors (with an effective pixel count of 6.57 megapixels each) that are independently mounted left and right, the Double 3MOS system creates outstanding full HD 3D video content. Using Full-HD image quality backed by the accurate colours, meticulous detail, and high dynamic range that distinguish the 3MOS sensor, separate images are recorded simultaneously for the left and right eyes. The advanced image sensor separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colours — red, green and blue — and processes each colour independently. As a result, the Full HD 3D image quality is outstanding. Naturally, the 3MOS System provides the same effects for 2D, achieving precise and sharp Full HD 2D image quality in combination with progressive recording. The HDC-Z10000, with a newly-developed and ultra-high speed Crystal Engine Pro II engine powers the high-speed processing needed to create superb image quality both in 2D and 3D images.“Adding to Panasonic’s top-of-the-line 3MOS full-HD camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 naturally excels in the recording of high-quality 2D images. It also meets the constantly increasing need for full HD 3D videos, as both professionals and consumers desire more flexibility and power when shooting 3D,” said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer
Electronics Company. “The HDC-Z10000 is a unique camcorder in that it has high-end features to suit advanced users, but is easy enough to use for those looking for excellent 2D video and who may want to explore 3D video shooting as well.”
The HDC-Z10000 features new F1.5 lenses that excel when shooting in low light conditions, and allow the user to record bright images with reduced noise. For the first time on a Panasonic camcorder, the lenses feature Nano Surface Coating, which is microstructure film with an ultra-low refractive index on the lens surface, greatly reducing the light reflection and thus reducing ghosting in order to produce crisp, clear image rendering. With a 32mm wide-angle lens, the HDC-Z10000 is extremely versatile and also has a 10x optical zoom while shooting in 3D or 12x optical zoom while shooting in 2D. When shooting in 2D, HYBRID O.I.S. helps to correct handshake that occurs when shooting while zooming or walking, in addition to horizontal, vertical, yawing, and pitching four-axis correction. When shooting in 3D, the system activates
POWER O.I.S., which helps to suppress handshake, especially helpful while zooming. The HDC-Z10000 excels both in performance and ease-of-use — thanks to extremely flexible operating options. For more advanced users seeking professional-level control, there are enhanced functions, such as three independent rings for adjusting the zoom, focus, and iris control. There are built-in microphones for recording Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound/2-channel stereo, the HDC-Z10000 features two XLR audio inputs with a 48-V phantom powern supply for external microphone use. Clear audio is recorded with minimal noise. Uncompressed
Linear PCM (2-channel only) is also supported for recording original sounds with extremely high fidelity. Plus, a dedicated dial lets the user finely adjust 3D convergence (parallax). Frequently-needed features, such as O.I.S. ON/OFF, colour Bar ON/OFF, Zebra Pattern Display, 3D Guide Display, Auto/Manual Iris, Auto/Manual Auto Focus, and Auto/Manual White Balance are available on the side of the body as separate buttons for quick, intuitive access.
Based on the AVCHD format, which offers high compression and excellent compatibility, this new standard has been upgraded to AVCHD 3D, which uses MVC (Multiview Video Coding) to record and playback 3D images via the Frame Sequential Method, and AVCHD Progressive for progressive formats. The HDC-Z10000 also employs the 1080/60 progressive method to record twice as much image data as the 1080/60 interlace method. Fast-moving subjects, such as in sports scenes, are smoothly recorded. The progressive recording of the HDC-Z10000 fully complies with the new AVCHD Progressive standard. For those looking for control over which recording modes are available, the user can select the preferred recording mode from AVCHD 3D (1080/60i, 1080/24p, and 1080/30p**, AVCHD Progressive (1080/60p), and AVCHD (1080/24p, 1080/30p** and 1080/60i PH/HA/HE mode). Other features of the Panasonic HDC-Z10000 twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder include:
• A bright 0.45-inch Live View Finder (LVF) with high-speed responses and a 1,227,000-dot high-resolution. The superb LVF makes it easier to optimise the focus, or for use in a situation that requires no excess light from an LCD screen.
• A dual SD Memory Card slot with the option of extended recording or back-up. When two SD Memory Cards are inserted and the first card reaches full capacity, the system automatically and seamlessly switches*** to the second card. This allows extended recording without having to worry about interruptions due to a lack of card capacity. Or, during backup recording, the same data is recorded onto both cards for immediate duplicating or archiving purposes in the case of a faulty SD card
• The bundled HD Writer XE 1.0 Software lets users cut out full HD 3D and progressive images and save to a computer.
• 2D/3D Still Image Recording Any Time. The user simply presses the shutter button to record a 2D or 3D (MPO compliant) still image**** at any time. It is also possible to cut out images in all modes while shooting or playing videos. 3D and 2D still images are recorded simultaneously with 2.1-megapixel resolution.
The Panasonic HDC-Z10000 will be available in black and the pricing and availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. For more information about Panasonic camcorders, please visit www.panasonic.com.
SECAUCUS, NJ (August 31, 2011) — Panasonic today announced the development of a twin-
lens 3D digital camera, complete with 3D HD video capability. The new LUMIX 3D prototype
will be on display at IFA 2011, one of the world’s largest electronics shows, from September 2-
7, 2011, in Berlin, Germany. IFA conference attendees can visit the Panasonic booth at Messe
Berlin, Hall 5.2
The new 3D digital camera will also shoot 2D photos and HD video. With its 3D still and video
capabilities, the compact camera will allow users to take 3D photos and 3D HD videos, while
further expanding the world of consumer 3D entertainment.
The LUMIX 3D camera’s compact size, was achieved by employing two recently-developed
4x zoom lenses with thin, folded optics, which allow users to capture crisp and clear photo and
video footage even from afar. The optical zoom system enables highly-versatile 3D shooting
from wide angle to telephoto while the Optical Image stabilisation works during both 2D and 3D
shooting to produce high-quality photos and videos with minimal blurring. The unique, twin-lens
design further helps in providing stunning, high-resolution 2D photos while shooting 2D videos
instantaneously. Using the side-by-side method, the camera can also capture 3D HD videos in
AVCHD format.
The versatility of the 3D capture technology allows users to quickly go from shooting photos and
videos to viewing them. Working synergistically with other Panasonic products, the new camera
allows photos and videos to be easily viewed on a VIERA 3D TV with the simple insertion of the
SD memory card into the TV’s SD card image viewer slot or by connecting the camera to the TV
with an HDMI cable.
For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit
www.panasonic.com/lumix. This Panasonic 3D camera is expected to be available in Winter
2011-12. Further product specifications will be announced at a later date.