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Canon has unveiled a new hard-drive-based camcorder that offers both high-definition video capture and advanced photo features. The compact HG10 captures AVCHD video on a built-in 40GB hard drive with a 1920x1080 CMOS sensor and an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens.
In photo mode, the HG10 can shoot 2.96-megapixel stills, which it interpolates slightly to a 3.1-megapixel output resolution. The lens provides a 43.4mm-436mm focal-length range (35mm camera equivalent) and f/2.8-3.0 maximum aperture for photo capture. Shooting controls include nine-point AiAF autofocus, automatic exposure bracketing, and a histogram. The camera saves stills to a miniSD card.
In addition to a built-in flash and video light, the camcorder has a hotshoe for attaching an external flash unit, video light, or microphone.
The HG10 also blurs the line between still and moving picture capture by allowing users to select video frames in-camera and save them as 2-megapixel photos on a miniSD card. It can capture stills while recording video as well.
Among other notable claims that Canon is making for the HG10 are improved optical image stabilization, with a system that handles low-frequency shaking better than others; fast AF performance enabled by an external sensor; and exceptional display quality on the HG10's 211,000-pixel, 2.7-inch LCD, thanks to an expanded color gamut and a wide viewing angle.
The HG10 will be available in October 2007 for $1299.
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