Panasonic is coming out with two new HD camcorders that use a new technology that tackles low lighting. The hybrid 60GB/SDHC HS100 camera and its SDHC-only SD100 equivalent feature the new sensor technology called 3MOS: effectively substituting CMOS sensors in place of a more typical 3CCD arrangement. This technique allows twice as much light in as a CCD while keeping the color reception that comes with more than one sensor. Apparently both the cameras can shoot in as little as 2 lux of light. Common features also include recording at a full 1920x1080 and a new Leica-made, stabilized Dicomar lens that both increases the useful contrast while giving the cameras 12X optical zoom in a relatively small frame. Both even feature the HD Advanced Pure Color Engine for the image processor as it helps in dropping noise plus also doubles up the dynamic range. Thus it allows the Panasonic camcorders to point at shadowed areas or at brightly lit windows without losing as much detail.

Both the camcorders record video in AVCHD (H.264) and can store as much as 7 hours and 40 minutes of full-quality video on the HS100's 60GB hard drive, or an hour on a typical 8GB SDHC card usable by either camera. They can output a deep color HDMI 1.3 image to a compatible TV. Windows users can pull in and edit video using pre supplied HD Writer software, its even compatible with iMovie 08 and similar-generation Apple video editing tools without requiring extra software.

Panasonic will put the cameras in the market around September The hybrid HS100 will be out for $1,100; the SD100 comes with an 8GB SDHC card and will sell for $1,300.

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