With hard disk video cameras brand new on the market here in NZ, our correspondent in Japan, Martyn Williams, finds Panasonic has already moved on.
The HDC-SD1 from Panasonic records AVCHD-format video directly to a SD (Secure Digital) memory card. A 4GB memory card, which costs around $350, can accommodate about 90 minutes of video when recorded at 6Mbps (bits per second). The video is 1080i (1,080 horizontal lines, interlaced scanning), which is just below the 1080p (progressive scanning) system judged to be the highest of several video quality levels that fall within the high-definition bracket. It also has a 3CCD (charge coupled device) sensor behind the lens. It goes on sale in Japan in December for ¥180,000 (NZ$2,200) with a bundled 4GB card.
Overseas launch plans have not been announced but you can check it out here; http://panasonic.jp/dvc/.
Coupled with that news, Toshiba has gone on to announce that it has an 8GB SD card ready to go.
Makes you want to have a cup of tea and a lie down.