There are always a ton of camcorders announced at CES, but only a few tend to have any notably interesting innovations. These are them.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
I'm not a big fan of ultralong zoom anything--mostly cameras and camcorders with 20x-plus lenses are good only for stalking--but you've got to admire the type of technology that goes into the compact, industry-longest 70x zoom lenses that Panasonic has put in its latest models. Plus, at that length, you really can shoot the moon.
2 of 5 Sony Electronics
Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V
Sony debuts two camcorder firsts in its XR500 series models: built-in GPS with geotagging and the use of a back-illuminated CMOS for (we hope) a leap in low-light video quality.
3 of 5 Sony Electronics
Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1
These are most notable because Sony isn't known for making inexpensive products, and the straight-to-Web mini camcorder market is defined (in part) by cheap prices. Also, in general, orange looks to be one of the hot colors for cameras and camcorders in 2009.
4 of 5 Panasonic
Panasonic SDR-SW21
Panasonic's update to its rugged camcorders means you can take this model 6.5 feet underwater or drop it from 4 feet. Plus it comes in lime green, another hot color for 2009.
5 of 5 Kodak
Kodak Zx1
The ruggedized construction of the Kodak Zx1, combined with the decent video quality it should inherit from the Zi6, make this a potentially pocketworthy gadget. True, RCA was first to market with its rugged version of the Small Wonder, but it was ugly and had poor video quality.
