3D camcorder & 3D camera buying guide

3D is the latest technology to hit the digital imaging landscape. Whether you're looking to upgrade your camcorder or digital compact camera, there is a host of options available that come with 3D capabilities.

While often dismissed as a gimmick, 3D imaging definitely has its appeal. It is especially suited to families with young children, giving you the ability to capture important milestones in 3D, such as baby's first steps. It turns regular home movies and happy snaps into something you can almost reach out and touch. This might not sound like a big deal now, but what about in twenty years time when your kids are all grown up?

In the following article, we take a brief look at this new technology and compare some of the new 3D cameras and 3D camcorders that are about to hit the market.

What you need to get started

Buying a 3D camera or 3D camcorder is only part of the puzzle. To view your 3D movies and photos, you will also need a 3D-capable TV, laptop or monitor.

[Note: There are a few exceptions to this rule that let you preview 3D content on their inbuilt displays. Examples include the Sony HDR-TD10 camcorder and FujiFilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera. However, to fully appreciate the 3D effect, you're still going to need a larger screen.]

Most major television manufacturers now offer a range of 3D-capable TVs – and they’re cheaper than you might expect. For instance, you can currently pick up a 50in Samsung Plasma 3D TV from JB Hi-Fi for just $1296. Naturally, you can also use these TVs to watch 3D television broadcasts.

Read our comprehensive overview of Sony's 3D TV Bravia range for 2011 here.

If you own a 3D camcorder and want to make 3D discs of your movies, you will also need to purchase a 3D Blu-ray recorder. Pricing for these products currently starts at around $500.

You will also need to wear a pair of 3D 'active shutter' television glasses, which block the vision from alternating eyes in time with alternating frames. These are usually provided in the sales package with a 3D TV.

How 3D works

3D lenses attempt to replicate ‘visual disparity’ - the natural process that merges images in our left and right eye. This tricks our brain into seeing depth and solidity in a 2D image.

The majority of digital compact cameras achieve visual disparity by taking two shots of the same subject from slightly different positions, and then automatically merging the captured images as a single 3D photo.

Most consumer-level 3D camcorders come equipped with a dual 3D lens. This may be permanently fixed to the front of the camera, or it could be detachable, and perhaps sold as an optional accessory.

 

Panasonic HDC-SD900 3D conversion lens (sold seperatey)

Below, we've assembled a table of the most recent 3D camcorders and 3D cameras to be announced by vendors. Check out the specifications to see how they compare:

3D camcorders:

Model	JVC Everio GS-TD1	Panasonic HDC-SD900	Sony HDR-TD10	Sony Bloggie 3D
Price	TBA	$1499 (3D lens sold seperately)	$2099	$499
Video format	MVC, AVCHD	MPEG-4	MVC, AVCHD, MPEG2	MPEG-4
3D LCD display	No	No	Yes	No
3D lens type	Fixed	Detachable	Fixed	Fixed
Inbuilt memory	Yes	No	Yes (64GB)	Yes (8GB)
Optical zoom	5x	12x	10x	No
Maximum resolution	1920x1080	1920x1080	1920x1080 (x2)	1920x1080
Weight	N/A	395g	645g	120g
Dimensions	N/A	66x72x146mm	74x871x49mm	55x108x17mm
Release date	April, 2011	Available now	April, 2011	May, 2011

3D digital compact cameras:

Model	Sony Cybershot WX10	Panasonic Lumix FX78	FujiFilm FinePix REAL 3D W3	Olympus TG-810
Price	$399	TBA	$599	$599
Megapixels	16.2MP	12.1MP	10MP	14MP
3D Video	No	No	Yes	No
3D display	No	Yes	Yes	No
Lens type	24mm wide angle Sony G Lens	24mm Leica DC Vario-Summarit	Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens	28mm Wide Angle Lens
Memory format	Memory Stick, SD/SDHC/SDXC	SD/SDHC/SDXC	SD/SDHC/SDXC	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Optical zoom	7x	5x	3x	5x
Weight	161g	142g	230g	221g
Dimensions	95x54x23mm	100x55x20mm	66x124x29mm	64x98x24mm
Release date	March, 2011	April, 2011	April, 2011	May, 2011

Further reading:

Which Bravia? We compare Sony's 3D TV range for 2011

Opinion: 3D TV business is booming - but are we seeing the full picture?

3D camcorders: gimmick or game changer?

Asus unveils 'glasses-free' 3D gaming laptop