Gadget Rumor: Canon Developing DSLR-based Camcorder
File this under gadget rumors, but it does make perfect sense and merges nicely with our own secret fantasies of a DSLR-based camcorder. Now that the Canon 5D Mark II and even the new Rebel T1i can shoot 1080P video, buddying filmmakers have been clamoring for Canon to pump out the specs (24 fps is missing on both Canons). Using the DSLR’s sensors and time tested lenses, filmmakers are able to get depth of field and of all that extra mojo that makes an image “film-like”.
According to CanonRumors.com, this new HD camcorder will take the shape of Canon’s flagship XL H1 (pictured) and is reportedly spec’d to the gills, with 1080/24/30/60 as well as 720p/30/60 and 56Mbit/s to MPEG-4. There’s also auto-focus and creative manual focus alongside the usual prosumer camcorder goodies. This is looking good, and if Canon can keep the price near Sony’s XDCAM EX-1 or bigger brother EX-3’s territory, they’ll have the sweetest new HD Camcorder short of a non-vaporized Red Scarlet.
