Pioneer to Release HD Flip Competitor with Touchscreen

September 1, 2009 – Pioneer announced today a new ultracompact budget camcorder, borrowing a page out of the Flip book to emphasize portability, design, and ease of use over high performance and manual controls. Very little is known about the new camcorder, except that it has a pivoting lens and touchscreen. There are not yet any details for price or release date.

What we do know is based on a short blurb by the device's designer, Whipsaw, Inc. The name of the camcorder is left ambiguous, calling it simply the "Pioneer Hi-Def Camcorder." At least this tells us that the camcorder is high definition, though likely only 720p. This description emphasizes the curvaceous form factor, ease of use for left-handed and right-handed consumers alike, and the touchscreen controls:

"Our Pioneer camcorder is different – the display is fixed at an ideal angle and the lens pivots up and down to adjust to any shooting condition. This new form factor is much easier to use and steadier. It is also symmetrical so it's identical for left and right hand use. Most controls are touchscreen, so command appear only when needed, keeping the unit simple."

There are also plenty of pictures, which show the camcorder's swivel lens and some kind of docking station. For a full photo gallery, click here.