The Sony HDR-TD10 is one of the hottest 3D video camera models available in today’s market. Why do we say that? Keep reading to find out.
The Main Features of the Sony HDR-TD10 3D Video Camera
The features listed below makes this Sony 3D camcorder the best devoted 3D video camera available in today’s market.
No 3D lens attachments on the Sony HDR-TD10
One of the main benefits of the Sony HDR-TD10 video camera is that you don’t need to attach a 3D conversion lens to record 3D video in contrast to some of the 3D video cameras by Panasonic for example. You can still record regular 2D video thanks to the 2D/3D switch at the back of the camcorder.
The Sony HDR-TD10 has up to 10X Optical Zoom in 3D mode
That’s a first! Yes, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 may be the world’s first 3D video camera, but the Sony HDR-TD10 is the world’s first 3D camcorder with optical zoom while recording in 3D mode. The Panasonic HDC-SDT750 (and many other 3D compatible Panasonic camcorders) do have built-in optical zoom; however you cannot use it when you’re recording video in 3D. This is a clear advantage of this Sony camcorder over the Panasonic range of 3D cameras.
Just like optical zoom in 3D mode, the optical image stabilization also works in 3D video recording mode!
Double Full HD resolution
First there was HD, then there was Full HD and now it’s Double Full HD! WTH? Well it’s not that complicated… “Double Full HD” is what you get when you have two lenses recording Full HD. As you know, recording in 3D requires two lenses to mimic the left and right eyes and essentially all 3D video cameras should have a pair of lenses, yes that includes even pocket 3D video cameras like the Aiptek 720p 3D HD video camera. In case of this Sony 3D video camera, both lenses are capable of recording at 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, thus the phrase ‘Double Full HD’. By the way, the Sony HDRTD10 is not the only one that can record ‘Double Full HD’ video clips. The the JVC GS-TD1 is the other model that boasts this capability right now (just like its 5X optical zoom in 3D).
This Sony 3D camcorder comes with dual CMOS sensors
This double is also part of the “Double Full HD” resolution we talked about earlier. Some of the earlier models were equipped with only one sensor in spite of the two lenses. However, Sony has been able to squeeze in two “Exmor R” CMOS sensors, one for each wide angle Sony G lens.
Dual processors – another double!
What was seen with the two lenses and sensed with the two CMOS sensors now has to be processed. Again, some of the earlier 3D camcorders came with just one processor while modern ones like the Sony HDR-TD10 comes with two powerful “BIONZ” image processors in spite of its ultra compact size. It is these features that enable the HDR-TD10 to ‘see’, ‘sense’, and ‘process’ two Full HD video clips simultaneously which will be overlapped in order to produce the illusion of the 3 dimensions.
3D glasses-free auto-stereoscopic 3.5” 3D LCD touch panel display
That’s correct! You can watch 3D videos you just shot directly on the LCD touch panel display without having to put on 3D polarized glasses. This is NOT a first from Sony HDR-TD10 as this feature was available on the Fuji FinePix REAL 3D W1. With its “Parallax Barrier System”, the LCD display was able to produce the ‘visual disparity’ of left and right eyes enabling you to appreciate the 3D effects without the need to wear 3D glasses.
Manual controls of the Sony HDR-TD10 3D video camera – exposure and focus in 3D mode
There are many other noteworthy manual controls (e.g. shutter speed, aperture), however, they only work with the 2D mode.
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5.1-channel surround-sound audio, zoom mic and wind noise cancelling
The Sony HDR-TD10 Full HD 3D handycam has some cool audio features as well. You can either record in 5.1-channel surround sound audio or just the regular 2-channel stereo. The choice is yours. Just like the Panasonic 3D camcorders that we reviewed, the Sony HDR-TD10 also features a zoom mic and wind noise cancelling.
Internal and Expandable memory are also commendable!
64GB internal flash memory optionally expandable with a SD/SDHC/SDHXC/Memory Stick PRO Duo.
Availability of compatible 3D editing software
Another feature that should not be left out is that the 3D movies you shoot with the HDR-TD10 can be edited (in 3D) using software such as Vegas Pro 10. This is a professional HD video editing software that allows editing of 3D video as well as creating Blu-Ray discs.
What is it that makes the Sony HDR-TD10 our top recommended 3D video camera?
- Double Full HD – the 2 CMOS sensors + the 2 BIONZ image processors
- 10X optical zooming in 3D video recording mode
- Optical image stabilization in 3D mode
- 3D glasses-free 3.5” 3D LCD display
- Manual control of focus and exposure in 3D mode
The Sony HDR-TD10 beats its competition hands down as far as above features are concerned. If you already have a regular video camera (2D video camera) and looking to record 3D video clips, this is what you need. However, if your camcorder is outdated and you want your new video camera to shoot predominantly 2D video, and also want a little 3D as a side-project, then there are other video cameras that have better 2D features than the Sony HDR-TD10. If the latter is what you would rather have, you should probably get yourself one of these Panasonic 3D video cameras rather than this Sony 3D camcorder.
