Panasonic Enhances DVD Camcorder Line with OIS, Native 16:9, and Dual Layer Support

January 7, 2007 – In Las Vegas today, Panasonic announced three new DVD camcorders that all feature Optical Image Stabilization.  All the new camcorders also include Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Panasonic’s suite of manual image controls, and PhotoShot which enables one-touch still image capture.  The entry level DVD camcorder for 2007 is the VDR-D210 and will retail for $449.95.  Its step-up cousin, the VDR-D230 will cost $499.95. Both camcorders hit the shelves in February.  The top of the line VDR-D310 arrives in March 2007 and sells for $699.95.

The addition of OIS to the entry-level VDR-D210 and its step-up cousin the VDR-D230 was touted by Rudy Vitti, Panasonic's national marketing manager for camcorders who said "There really is no way to overstate the advantages O.I.S. has over other forms of image stabilization, " Vita noted.  The new models also carry Panasonic’s efficient joystick interface for menu navigation as well as manual image control that enables one-handed shooting.  

They also feature CCDs with resolutions up to 3.1 MP, low-power LED video lamps, SD Card slots, high-speed shutters, and 2.7-inch 16:9 LCDs.  All the new camcorders support a wide range of DVD formats including DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R and dual layered DVD-R DL discs.  Like previous standard definition DVD camcorders, these employ MPEG-2 variable bit rate compression.

The flagship VDR-D310 (pictured) is the sole 3CCD member of the line. It features a multicoated Leica Dicomer ED lens still-picture resolutions of up to 3.1MP, and a 10x optical zoom.  Manual shutter speed adjustments cover a range of 1/60-1/8000 second in video mode and 1/60-1/500 in card mode.  A High Speed USB port allows for fast data transfer, and the camcorder ships with DVD Fun Studio, DVD-Movie Album, and Imx VCD/DVD 2.0 for Mac OS X

The one-CCD VDR-D210 and VDR-D230 feature a more powerful 32x optical zoom.  The $50 price spread buys an LED video lamp and SD card support.

Model	VDR-D210	VDR-D230	VDR-D310
Features	- Optical Image Stabilizer - 32x optical zoom - MPEG-2 VBR compression - one-touch navigation & joystick control - 2.7" wide LCD - 16:9 movie mode - high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000) - multi-format recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL) - MPEG PhotoShot for one-touch still image capture.	- Optical Image Stabilizer - 32x optical zoom - MPEG 2 VBR compression - EfficiBrighta LED illumination system - one-touch navigation & joystick control - SD Card slot - 2.7" wide LCD - 16:9 movie mode - high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000 - disc mode; 1/60-1/500 - card mode) - still-picture recording - multiformat recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL) - USB HS port - DVD Fun Studio,DVD-Movie Album - Imx VCD/DVD 2.0 (Mac)  applications	- 3CCD imaging system - multicoated Leica Dicomer ED lens - Optical Image Stabilizer - 3.1MP still-picture recording - multiformat recording (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL) - 10x optical zoom - MPEG 2 VBR compression - one-touch navigation & joystick control - SD Card slot - 2.7" wide LCD - 16:9 movie mode - high-shutter speed (1/60-1/8000 - disc mode; 1/60-1/500 - card mode) - USB HS port - DVD Fun Studio - DVD-Movie Album - Imx VCD/DVD 2.0 (Mac) applications
Availability	February 2007	February 2007	March 2007
MSRP	$449.95	$499.95	$699.95