Not everyone drools over camcorder technology the way, say, your humble guide does. But while much of the tech press chases the latest tablet or smartphone, camcorder technology makes its own advances, and some of them are significant. The models that debuted at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show didn’t really amount to anything revolutionary, but there were some notable trends worth highlighting.
Here are some of the major trends that you'll see in the 2012 camcorder world.
Cord Cutters: Camcorders Go Wi-Fi
Prior to 2012, only a few camcorder manufacturers dabbled in wireless technology. What was a niche and a novelty has suddenly become quite popular, as several manufacturers will add Wi-Fi connectivity to their camcorders (both traditional models and pocket camcorders). Wi-Fi enables these camcorders to transfer their footage to other wireless devices on a home network or even upload files to the Internet. Sony, in particularly, has taken the wireless concept further with a "live streaming" camcorder that can send footage instantly to a website for live playback (a feature that Flip was reportedly working on before Cisco killed them).
Clearly, camcorder manufacturers are responding to the rapid uptake in HD video recording on smartphones (you can see a comparison between smartphone video recording and pocket camcorders here). Transferring HD video files over a wireless network is a bit more time-consuming than transferring still images or lower-resolution video, but it does mean one less cable to worry about.
(Incidentally, you can add wireless video transfers to any camcorder with an SD card slot if you spring for an Eye Fi memory card).
H.264 Gets More Love
Most traditional camcorder manufacturers (think Sony, Canon, JVC, etc.) use the AVCHD video format for their higher-end models. But this year, more manufacturers are sprinkling in H.264 recording in more expensive models. Why are they doing this, and why does it matter, you may ask? Good question!
Briefly, AVCHD video tends to be crisper and it produces a smaller file (i.e. takes up less space on your memory card or internal memory) but it requires a lot of computer processing power to view and edit the footage. In other words, AVCHD isn't all that computer-friendly and it requires conversion if you're going to view the video on other devices (like iPads, smartphones, etc.). H.264 video, on the other hand, doesn't offer the same level of quality (though it's by no means dramatically worse) and the file sizes are larger, but it is much easier to view, edit and share on computers and portable digital devices.
As with the move to Wi-Fi, it's a good bet that camcorder makers are trying to make their devices more relevant for our mobile era. That said, there will still be plenty of AVCHD models to choose from for those who put a premium on high-quality video recording.
3D Still Alive, But Software-Driven
Despite the somewhat tepid consumer reaction, camcorder makers are sticking with 3D in their 2012 lineups. This year, it will mostly be available in the form of 2D-to-3D conversions done with software built into the camcorder instead of a two lens, two image sensor approach that delivers a "pure" 3D image. The software-driven approach help keeps the cost of the camcorder down as well as the size while still giving you the option of creating 3D footage should the spirit move you.
There will also be two lens models at the very high end, but camcorder makers are taking a wait-and-see approach with refreshes.
Who Flips the Crown?
The pocket camcorder world has been thrown for a bit of a loop: first, the popular Flip line was snuffed out by Cisco, then Kodak filed for Chapter 11 protection. Kodak's pocket camcorders will still be sold (and are still among our favorites), but consumers may be leery about springing for one. That leaves the field wide open for a new player to take the crown and Sony is making a bid for the top with a refreshed line of pocket models that range from traditional, low-cost video cameras to 3D and the aforementioned “live-streaming” pocket cam.
4K on the Way
This one doesn’t really qualify as a 2012 trend since only one manufacturer – JVC – came out with a 4K camcorder (and that model is geared for pros), but it will be something to watch. So what’s 4K? Like “high definition” refers to the resolution of a camcorder, 4K refers to the resolution of a new generation of video devices (TVs, camcorders, etc.). 4K delivers twice the resolution has high definition – so video quality will make another significant leap once 4K becomes mainstream. Just don’t hold your breath: 4K won’t be mainstream for a few years still, but it has poked its head onto the horizon with the promise of truly eye-popping resolution to come.
Who said camcorder technology wasn’t drool-worthy?