Samsung Announces MiniDV Camcorders Including New Duo Cam

At the Consumer Electronics Show, emerging camcorder manufacturer Samsung announced four new MiniDV camcorders, including a new version of their DuoCam. All of the new camcorders are smaller than last year's models.

The Samsung DuoCam is designed to avoid problems that plague other hybrid still/video camcorders by combining two separate imaging systems, including two separate lenses, in one camcorder body. According to the press release, the new DuoCam SC-D6550 "features Samsung's groundbreaking dual-lens system, which can switch modes effortlessly to produce sharp-as-life digital video or high-resolution still images."

The new camcorder replaces last year's SC-D6040. According to Samsung, the new model is 60% smaller. For video, the SC-D6550 features a 680K pixel CCD with a 10x optical zoom. For digital stills, the camcorder features a 5 Megapixel CCD. The camcorder includes both an SD slot and a Sony Memory Stick slot.

Samsung also announced three new models for the budget-MiniDV space. The new SC-D353 features a 680K CCD with a 20x optical zoom lens, a viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The step-up model SC-D455 features a smaller body and a smaller 10x optical zoom lens. The camcorder comes with 32 MB of built-in memory for digital stills and also includes a memory stick slot.

Samsungs's fourth new MiniDV model is the SC-D955, which features a 12x optical zoom and a 1.33 Megapixel CCD. The camcorder also features 64 MB of built in memory, as well as SD and Memory Stick Slots.

The SC-D6550 will be available in May for $799.99. The SC-D355 will be available in February for $299.99. The SC-D455 will be available in March for $399.99 and the SC-D955 will be available in April for $449.95.