Toshiba has launched a new compact HD camcorder called the Toshiba Camileo S30. Featuring a free-angle, 3” touch-sensitive screen, the Toshiba Camileo S30 is only 3/4th of an inch thick, and weighs a mere 4.2 ounces. Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, the Camileo S30 shoots HD video and 8-megapixel stills, and offers easy operation, 16x digital zoom and digital image stabilisation. Priced at $179.99 including an HDMI cable, the Toshiba Camileo S30 camcorder is available now at toshibadirect.com.

The Panasonic SD40, TM40, HS80, TM80, SD80, TM90 and SD90 are seven new Full-High Definition camcorders. They all have a 1MOS sensor with 1920 x 1080 resolution and feature wide-angle lenses. The Panasonic SD90 and TM90 are capable of shooting full-HD video with 1080/60p recording and can even record 3D video with the optional Panasonic 3D Conversion lens. All models will be available in black, while the HDC-TM80 and HDC-SD80 will also be available in red and silver.

The Panasonic TM900, HS900, SD900 and SD800 are new flagship high-definition camcorders. They all feature an Advanced 3MOS System for enhanced colour reproduction, resolution and gradation, the ability to shoot home movies in 3D, and full-HD 1920 x 1080, 50 progressive recording at a 28-Mbps bit rate. Elegantly finished in black, the Panasonic TM900, HS900, SD900 and SD800 will all be available from February 2011.

The Samsung HMX-P300 and HMX-P100 are two new point-and-share camcorders. The full HD HMX-P300 and HMX-P100 have been designed for those who love sharing videos with friends and family, and enjoy capturing film spontaneously and uploading just as quickly. The Samsung HMX-P300 will be available in March for $199.99, and the HMX-P100 in February for $149.99.

The Samsung HMX-H300 series camcorders capture every moment in perfect focus while recording professional-standard movies. The four different models - H300 / H303 / H304 / H305 - feature an easy-to-use, durable design, long battery life, a 3” touch screen LCD, and 30x optical zoom. The HMX-H300 will cost $399, the H303 $449, the H304 $499, and the H305 $599.

The Samsung SMX-F50 / F53 / F54 are new family camcorders with a 65x zoom lens. The SMX-F50 series delivers premium camcorder technology for families on a budget, to help you capture every moment and occasion. The Samsung SMX-F50 / F53 / F54 will be available in February for $199, $249 and $299 respectively.

Canon has announced a new line of Vixia camcorders. This year’s HD range includes Canon’s new flagship model the Vixia HF G10 ($1,499.99, pictured), the high-end Vixia HF S30 ($1,099.99), three compact Vixia HF M-series models ($649.99-$799.99) and three entry-level Vixia HF R-series models ($379.99-$499.99). The HF G10 and the HF M-series camcorders feature a new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, which incorporates larger, more sensitive pixels resulting in outstanding low-light performance and an expanded dynamic range, tjhe company says. Other new features enhancing Canon’s 2011 Vixia lineup include dual SDXC-compatible memory card slots, Cinema-Look Filters that add various cinematic effects, and new Story Creator and Touch Decoration features for adding creative flair to your videos. In addition to the new VIXIA High Definition lineup, Canon is also introducing two standard-definition models, the FS40 ($299.99) and FS400 ($279.99)

The Canon XA10 is billed as the manufacturer’s most compact and affordable professional camcorder yet. The XA10 records Full HD 1080p video using an AVCHD codec, and includes a detachable handle for low-angle shooting and portability. With the handle attached, the XA10’s functionality is further enhanced with the addition of XLR inputs and an external microphone holder.  Capable of shooting in the dark, the camcorder features infrared video capture, and provides the option of recording to a 64GB internal flash drive or two SDXC memory cards, with the ability to record simultaneously to two cards for instant backup. Featuring 10 optical zoom, a1/3-inch native 1920x1080 CMOS imager and variable autofocus speeds, the Canon XA10 also provides users with complete manual control of various functions including frame rates, zooming speed, focus, white balance and gain control. The camcorder will be available in March for $1,999.99.

The BenQ M31 is a Full HD video camera sporting a 10x zoom lens and a 10-megapixel sensor. The camcorder Touch AF Lock, Face Exposure Tracking and an Electronic Image Stabiliser, as well as time-lapse recording. A 3-second pre-recording feature saves the video three seconds before the user actually presses the record button. To facilitate sharing, the M31 features a Dual Stream recording function that simultaneously creates two different video files as videos are being filmed.The Dual Stream offers the flexibility for a quick upload on Youtube, Facebook or a Full HD viewing experience on a widescreen TV in your living room. The BenQ M31 comes in Slick Grey with a shade of blue and Exotic Red (pictured), and will be available in China in January 2011, and Asia Pacific and Latin America in February 2011. There is no word yet on EU/US pricing and availability.

The Samsung HMX-Q10 is a Full HD camcorder featuring a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a so-called Switch Grip. The latter ensures that the LCD screen adapts to how the camcorder body is being held. The Samsung HMX-Q10 camcorder includes a brand new Easy Operation and Smart Access User Interface that makes using the camcorder easier to use. Featuring a 10x zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and an Optical Image Stabiliser Duo system, the Samsung HMX-Q10 can also capture 4.9-megapixel stills. The camcorder has an MSRP of $299

The Kodak Playfull is a new Full HD digital video camera that fits in your pocket, and features an ultra slim and chic design. Sporting a dedicated Share button, the Kodak Playfull allows users to send videos by e-mail, or upload them to sites like YouTube, Kodak Gallery or Facebook. Apart from shooting Full HD movies, the Kodak Playfull can also capture stills at a resolution of 5 megapixels. In addition, in-camera editing lets you trim and extract still pictures from video, while a built-in USB arm allows automatic sharing, in-camera charging and easy transfer of photos and videos to a PC. The Kodak Playfull will be available in silver, blue-silver, purple-silver and blue-black for $149.95 in spring 2011. Kodak also announced an updated version of its Playsport video camera, which now features a shock- and dustproof construction in addition to being waterproof down to a depth of 10 feet. The next generation Playsport model will be available for $179.95.

JVC will exhibit a new 4K consumer camcorder at CES 2011 in January. Offering approximately four times the resolution of Full HD, JVC have developed the world’s first LSI for high-speed processing of Full High-Definition video and stills on one chip. The LSI enables shooting and recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also ultra-high-resolution 4K2K images.

Sony announced today that it is developing a new type of E-mount interchangeable lens camcorder for professional use that is equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent large format CMOS sensor. The recording format for this new HD camcorder will be AVCHD, and there is also a plan to implement Full HD capture with MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression and 60/30/24fps as well as 50/25fps.. This new addition to Sony’s professional “NXCAM” line will be available in the middle of 2011, price to be confirmed.

Today marks the UK launch of the Sony Bloggie Touch Full HD pocket camcorder. The new Bloggie Touch has a 3-inch capacitive touch screen that automatically adjusts for vertical or horizontal shooting and viewing, enabling its users to shoot video right-handed, left-handed, right-side-up or even upside-down. Equipped with an f/2.8 wide-angle lens, 8GB of memory and a sensitive Exmor CMOS sensor, the Bloggie Touch has SteadyShot image stabilisation for smoother footage and a built-in USB arm for easy charging and uploading to a computer.

The Sony Professional PMW-F3 camcorder is based on a Super 35mm sensor and PL mount technology. “Designed for television, commercials, music promos and budget features, the new camcorder is offered at a price point that will bring Super 35mm shooting within reach of a wider audience,” the company claims. Two configurations of the PMW-F3 will be available (PMW-F3L body only and PMW-F3K with PL lens kit including 35/50/85mm T2.0 fixed focal length lenses). First deliveries of are scheduled for January 2011. Price to be confirmed.

Panasonic has unveiled the MSRP and availability of the Panasonic AG-AF100 interchangeable-lens digital video camera. Accepting all Micro Four Thirds lenses, the Panasonic AG-AF100 offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, dual card slots and compatibility with SDHC and SDXC media. The camera incorporates a large Four Thirds type,16:9 MOS imager that minimizes skew with fast imager scanning, and incorporates low pass filters for elimination of aliasing and moiré. High-end features include color-on peaking and a focus bar; two sets of adjustable zebras; a waveform monitor and vectorscope for more accurate monitoring of broadcast safe levels. The Panasonic AG-AF100 digital video camera will start shipping on 27th December at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,995.

Canon has unveiled new concepts for the future of imaging at Canon EXPO 2010 Paris. The highlights of the new imaging innovations include their compact multi-purpose camera that supports both video and still image capture with ultra-high definition 4K resolution at 60fps (first showcased at Canon EXPO 2010 New York), a Mixed Reality concept system featuring a head-mounted display with built-in cameras and a computer which processes video to blend real and virtual realities, a range of new medical imaging innovations, and more. The multi-purpose camera features a newly developed 2/3”, 8-megapixel sensor and a compact 24-480mm equivalent 20x optical zoom lens with maximum apertures ranging from f/1.8 at the wide end to f/3.8 at full telephoto.

The Flip UltraHD and MinoHD are pocket camcorders featuring a new design, enhanced HD video quality and more ways to share. Both models feature image stabilisation, 720p resolution at 50 frames per second, and new pre-loaded FlipShare software. The new Flip MinoHD one hour and two hour camcorders are small, sleek and stylish. The new Flip UltraHD now showcases a slimmer design. The Flip MinoHD one hour comes in silver for £149.99, the Flip MinoHD two hours comes in black for £179.99, and the Flip UltraHD two hours also comes in black for £159.99.

The Panasonic AG-AF101 is an interchangeable-lens digital video camera that takes Micro Four Thirds lenses. Demonstrated to attendees at the Panasonic stand at IBC, ahead of its introduction to the market in December, the Panasonic AG-AF101 has a Four Thirds MOS sensor optimised for HD video recording. The camera can record video in Full HD (1080i/p)/720p formats including 1080/24p native mode with Full HD Variable Frame Rate function. The video can be recorded on SDXC memory cards in professional high quality PH mode (up to 24Mbps). Two SD card slots allow relay recording from one card to another to give large recording capacity of up to 12 hours in PH mode or 48 hours in HE mode. The Panasonic AG-AF101 will be released in December at a recommended retail price of €4,900+VAT.

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG21 and VPC-GH3 are new dual cameras capable of shooting 1080i video and 10-megapixel photos. Also featuring 5x optical zoom for stills and 10x “dual-range” zoom for video, these digital cameras are almost identical inside but look very different on the outside. The Xacti VPC-CG21 is a pistol-shaped affair, while the GH3 is a more traditional, horizontal design. Both cameras feature 2.7-inch fold-out LCD screens with a resolution of 230,000 dots, HDMI ports and easy operation, and both will be available at a recommended price of €199.

Website: Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG21 Datasheet (in German)
Website: Sanyo Xacti VPC-GH3 Datasheet (in German)