1/2.3 12MP CCD, 1280p30 21Mb/sec recording, HDMI output

[DavidNJ]

Correction...24Mb/sec...

$349 point and shoot. Lens is 28mm to 336 12x optical zoom.

Just thinking, this camera doesn't seem to be giving up much, and the CCD would eliminate rolling shutter issues.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=18329

Too big? http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18335

[DavidNJ]

No one fines this interesting? Basically the same AVCHD as the HMC150 with a a wide angle zoom and a CCD 30% larger (DOF, only one with a Bayer filter, so not light) than the HMC150 that fits in your pocket for $349 list? Even adding a Zoom H4...that is under $650. 12Mpixel may add resolution, however the lens could well be the limiting factor.

[Nektonic]

I'm still leaning toward a D90, or willing to wait to see if it is true, the rumored D400. These look interesting though. I'd be curious to see some footage from these little point-n-shoot models. One thing is for sure, these would make great crash cams. Cheaper than an HV20 even.

Now that these little pocket still cameras are starting to have HD video modes, it'll be interesting to see how many more DSLR's actually get the HD video treatment as well. I'd be willing to bet that the next Digital Rebel will have a 1080p mode. Same with the inevitable 60D.

All we really need is a camera that has the following:

1) Full manual control and use of any and all lenses in video modes. Basically, if I decide to get a Canon DSLR for filmmaking I don't want to have to buy an adapter and Nikon lenses just to be able to get decent exposure control.

2) True 24p with a good solid codec. Canon's pretty much there with the codec part. I'd vote for AVC-HD at a rate of at least 17-24mbps. I'm sure some would complain, but AVC-HD would be plenty for the immediate future until more dedicated digital cinema/still hybrid cameras ever were to become a reality. I'm not just thinking of Red either.

3) A freaking mic input. Beachtech will come out with adapters for XLR and there is always the option to do audio separately as well.

I really hope that these things can be implemented sometime soon into ONE DSLR camera body.

[DavidNJ]

It seems clear from the D90 and 5DM2 that we have reached the point where they have merged with camcorders. The single Bayer filtered APC-s, 4/3rds or full frame sensor with pixel fused 20Mpixel sensors is more than a match for three 1/3rds. And the lenses are better...often much better.

AVCHD seems to be the way to go. The 5DM2 is close to DVPROHD native 24p bandwidth, with a more efficient algorithm. Single SDHC and CF memories are getting fast enough and large enough to render P2 less critical in capture.

What makes this interesting is the combination of 720p30 HD and AVCHD. Other point and shoots either don't have HD or use MPEG-2 or both. What makes THIS camera interesting is Canon's return to CCDs instead of CMOS sensors, eliminating the rolling shutter effects.

One note, Fuji's new EXP sensor has enhanced pixel fusion (red and blue are diagonally arranged to have fuzed cells ajoining) and enhanced dynamic range (using alternate pixels with different exposures to duplicate the F5S processing).

It would appear that all of these could return to $4000 camcorder with removable lens with video specs (parafocal and non-rotating filters), full frame CCDs and high bandwidth SDHC recording possibly buffered internally and downloaded to two memory cards, allowing 50+Mb/sec recording with 4:2:2 subsampling.

However, for probable street prices under $300, this camera looks 'interesting'. Or does it?

[Kholi]

I'm interested. March is only a few weeks away. But is it 1080 or 720?

[Nektonic]

I'm interested. March is only a few weeks away. But is it 1080 or 720?

I think that it is 720. I'm more worried about the other things at this point: 24p, good solid codec, and manual control. I say if possible, why not make the next wave of HD video DSLR's able to do both 1080p and 720p?

[DavidNJ]

This is 720p...given the small size of the sensor and the lens in a $350 camera, I don't think more makes sense.

The DSLRs make sense. I'm sure the reception of the D90 and 5DM2 are clear that it is the way to go. However, I expect the next generation of 'prosumer' camcorders to include DSLRs in a more camcorder format, maybe with more camcorder lenses.

The big think is the big sensor and the good glass; I never understood why video lenses were so much more expensive than higher resolution photo lenses.

What makes this camera more interesting is the use of a 12Mp CCD. Nearly all the DSLRs and many camcorders, including the EX1, are CMOS with rolling shutter artifacts.

Really, Isn't the HPX170/HMC150 advantage a combination of good controls, CCD, and superior recording formats?