Photography

Panasonic unveils HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder

Panasonic unveils HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder
The HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder and control unit
The HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder and control unit
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The HX-A100 control unit in its armband
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The HX-A100 control unit in its armband
The HX-A100 control unit
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The HX-A100 control unit
The HX-A100 headset/Earhook
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The HX-A100 headset/Earhook
A side view of the the HX-A100 camera and headset/Earhook
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A side view of the the HX-A100 camera and headset/Earhook
The HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder and control unit
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The HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder and control unit
View gallery - 5 images

It looks like the Looxcie could be in for some competition. Panasonic has used CES 2013 to unveil its HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder. Like the Looxcie, the little Panasonic camera can be worn on the head without a helmet (using its included Earhook), streaming HD video live on Ustream via Wi-Fi.

For users who aren’t intent on broadcasting their exploits live, the A100 also records footage on a memory card located in its tethered control unit – that device sits in an armband worn by the user, raising the possibility of the cord between the two gadgets getting snagged on things. Using that unit, users can choose between formats of 1080p/60fps, 720p/120fps or 360p/240fps.

Shooting possibilities are broadened by the fact that the A100 is waterproof to 1.5 meters (5 feet) for 30 minutes, plus it’s also dustproof, and can be mounted on things like helmets and backpacks using an optional Multi-Mount.

The HX-A100 headset/Earhook
The HX-A100 headset/Earhook

It also includes a built-in image stabilizer (presumably digital), and a Level Shot function that automatically straightens out crooked shots – a useful feature, given that the camera lacks a viewfinder. If users are checking its shot using a paired mobile device, they can also use that device to start or stop recording.

With its F2.5 lens and back-illuminated sensor, the A100 is claimed to capture clear, low-noise images in both bright and dim light. It also has a Wind Noise Cut function, to limit the amount of wind noise recorded. One charge of the camcorder’s battery is reportedly good for 140 minutes of use, when recording in Full HD with the Wi-Fi turned off.

The HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder is available for pre-order, at US$299.99. It is expected to start shipping in March.

Source: Panasonic via Technabob

View gallery - 5 images
4 comments
4 comments
Sherwin Ubaldo
the weakest point in the design is the connecting wire between the recorder and the lens.
Roger Bradfield
so what is the lens angle??
Pks29733steel
In the 90's I bought a 8 gb mp3/4 wristwatch with a 1 1/2" screen with a built in still-video camera. It was a metal watch, the viewings screen acted as your viewfinder. If I remember correctly it set me back $150 USD. So what's so "new" about this?
packoftwenty
I guess Panasonic have never gone onto Ebay and looked up 'Pen cam', or 'button cam' - you can get a perfectly good (and I mean VERY impressive, considering its tiny size and very low cost) pen camcorder for about $30 - $40. Who the hell wants a cable hanging down from their camcorder? Who would buy Panasonic's pathetic effort?