Review: 3D camcorders

Technology has come a long way over the years, and especially in the last couple of decades. We now use things that we couldn’t even have imagined 20 years ago.

From surfing the internet while lying in bed to knowing exactly where you are without the need for a huge OS map and several street names, technological advances have been both convenient and vital.

I remember my dad borrowing a video camera off a friend many years ago, to capture my brother and sister and I at our cutest – before we turned into sulky teenagers.

The cumbersome camcorder my dad borrowed was absolutely huge; he nearly put his back out just lifting it onto his shoulder. Fast forward many years, and a camcorder will barely take up any space in a small handbag.

But they haven’t just got smaller; they’ve got infinitely better and more powerful too. Not only can you capture your kids in all their cuteness, but you can capture them in 3D.

It seems almost unbelievable that this technology we were marvelling at in the cinema a couple of years ago is now at our fingertips. So if you’re looking to buy a 3D camcorder, what are your options?

There are several 3D camcorders on the market. But, as you might have guessed, they don’t come cheap. So brace yourselves for some eye-watering prices.

One of the (slightly) more reasonable devices out there is the Panasonic HC-V700. This nifty little camcorder will set you back about £400, and comes with HD video recording and 60x optical zoom – and 3D recording, obviously.

If you’re willing to pay the big bucks for a camcorder, the 3D world is your oyster. One high-end device is the Sony HDR-TD20VE, which has a 120x digital zoom and a huge 64GB of internal memory. Priced around £1,300, it’s not to be sniffed at, but the TD20VE is pure class.

To really appreciate the 3D pictures, you’ll need a 3D-capable TV. But as with most new technologies, these are coming down in price all the time. So release that inner James Cameron and get recording.