JVC launch new hybrid camera

JVC have launched a new Style Hybrid Camera in the USA
Here is how JVC introduce the GC-PX10 on their site:

"GC-PX10 is not a video camera that also records stills, nor is it a digital still camera that also records videos. It is a true hybrid that has been redesigned to provide satisfaction no matter what you choose to record, and offers unique advantages as an all-in-one camera. GC-PX10 allows you to capture scenes and discover what’s really there — through high-resolution digital stills at 60 frames per second, or progressive Full HD videos from which you can grab the best frame as a digital still, or with 300 fps high-speed recording to slow the action down and see what you’ve been missing. Grab the GC-PX10, and get ready to capture every split second, and seize every moment."

Features:

• 10x optical zoom (magnifies up to 19x* without any picture degradation thanks to Dynamic Zoom technology)
• Optical Image Stabilisation with Advanced Image Stabiliser
• Tiltable 3.0" Touch Panel LCD 1/2.3" 12 Megapixel Back-illuminated CMOS sensor
• K2 Technology for High Quality Audio
• Large 32GB Internal Memory and SD Card Slot
• Easy Mode Dial and Manual Adjustment Dial
• Intelligent AUTO (Brightness, sharpness, chroma and gamma values, and more, are all continuously optimised)
• Wi-Fi Ready with Eye-Fi Card Compatibility
• LoiLoScope FX Software Included

• High-Speed Stills: 60fps Continuous Still Recording, Up to 130 Shots

• Real 12M Digital Stills with High-Sensitivity ISO6400

• High-Speed Video: 300fps Recording for Super Slow Motion Playback

• High-Precision Progressive Video: 36Mbps Full HD 1080/60p Recording

• Time-Lapse REC - Another Creative Video Fun

The device certainly looks like it has everything to be a very popular purchase and shows a different approach to the recent trend of stills cameras adding HD Video features. I can see this appealing to those who are more comfortable with a camcorder than they are with a DSLR, which can be quite intimidating to anyone who doesn't see themselves as a serious photographer.


Certainly, the fact that it can shoot stills at 60fps for up to 130 shots makes it ahead of the game at the moment and no DSLR currently available can match this feature. Well done JVC for pushing the envelope out further. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Canon, Nikon and Sony react to this. My guess is that it will be Panasonic or Samsung that will come out first with a stills camera that can compete with this feature. For now, lets hope that JVC decide to bring the GC-PX10 to the UK soon (hopefully with a more attractive name!). If it was priced closer to £500 than £580 (current $ to £ conversion), they would have a winner. It would certainly make some folk (me included) think twice before buying a DSLR.

Price in the USA is $ 899.95. No details of if and when it will be available here in the UK. read more detailed specifications and watch some of the demo videos at the JVC USA site.


Update: They have a cool Launch Site at http://camera.jvc.com/