Camera Types

High Definition

 

In 2000, the DVCPRO HD codec was launched by Panasonic. They were used as full size DVCPRO cassettes. This format was designed to be used in professional camcorders and later on in 2003, HDV was released as a much more affordable method to capturing HD video due to the use of inexpensive MiniDV cassettes. This started being implemented by companies such as Sony, Canon & Sharp with their equipment and is a popular format used today.

Tapeless/File Formating

 

The first tapeless video format was produced in 2003 by Sony using PFDs. In 2004, DVCPRO-HD began using memory cards as is recording medium by Panasonic. Later in 2006 companies introduced AVCHD as as inexpensive consumer-grade HD video format which was tapless. This format is the most common used by non-proffesionals. In 2007 Sony released XDCAM EX which records onto SxS memory cards.

3D Cameras

3D cameras became available to the general market in 2010 by Panasonic, this was due to the sudden raise of interest in 3D by films such as Avatar. This form of camera uses two lenses to capture both sides of the video and then outputs the two sides together to create the 3D video which can be seen on screens that are able to produce the 2 signals and wearing 3D glasses.