Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder hands-on photos

Panasonic is set to be the first of the big names to hit the streets with a consumer 3D camcorder. We checked out the HDC-SDT750 in three glorious dimensions by standing next to it and looking at it with our eyes at the launch in Sweden.

The SDT750 is essentially a top of the range 2D camcorder with a 3D converter thrown in. It's a specs boost for the SDT700, with improvements including a 40 per cent reduction in noise and better image stabilisation. It sports a 35mm wide-angle lens and shoots 1,080-pixel high-definition video.

To film in three dimensions, you stick on the 3D converter lens. This has two lenses inside, shooting two sets of hi-def footage that are combined into 3D video by the camcorder's processing engine.

The 3D picture, recorded in AVCHD format, can then be played back on a 3D-capable telly or AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray player, via HDMI. So far, that includes TVs such as the thoroughly excellent Panasonic Viera VT20 and Panasonic Viera S20.

You can burn 3D video to DVD or Blu-ray, given the right kit. 3D video requires class-6 and class-10 SDHC and SDXC cards, including Panny's own 48GB and 64GB SDXC cards.

Panasonic was the first to unveil a commercial 3D camera unit when it showed off the twin-lens professional-level AG-3DA1 at CES in January. It recently filmed the French Open tennis at Roland Garros and will be available this autumn, albeit with a whopping price tag.

For more adventures in the third dimension, check out our 3D TV round-up.