Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 20, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
When a filmmaker is on the move, a camera would certainly help: trying out shots, capturing scenes, and collecting all the preparatory work and shots that would normally go into a notebook. However, the camera functions built into mobile phones are often still suboptimal even for that. Anyone who needs a small camera for pre-production and collecting material could take a look at the Sanyo PD2BK.
The VPC-PD2BK can record Full HD (1920 x 1080 30p); films are stored on SD, SDHC or SDXC (up to 64 GB) and output via either HDMI or USB. Alternatively, there is an upload option for the usual platforms (so that it can be forwarded directly to the assistant).
Its optics offer a 3x optical zoom, and the lens is a 37 mm wide angle (presumably in 35mm-equivalent terms). It even offers stereo recording for sound, all in a device the size of a cigarette packet.
The camera is expected to be available from September for around 170 US dollars.
Further links:
- More about the camera at Sanyo
