Even within the realm of those new connected camera offerings, the Sony
Bloggie Live pocket camcorder has a unique twist: It allows shooters to
live-stream video to the Web while filming, and the camcorder is able to
receive short messages through an online service as you're shooting.
The live Web-streaming and one-way chat functions are provided via a partnership with Qik,
a live video-sharing service owned by Skype. Using a pre-loaded Qik
app, the Bloggie Live camcorder can also share links to live video
streams via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and e-mail directly from the
camcorder. Sony will also launch a new cloud-storage and -sharing
service, PlayMemories Online, that can be accessed on smartphones,
tablets, and other connected devices.
While the camcorder records at full high-definition, live streams are
limited to 480-by-270 VGA resolution in order to keep lag time and
choppy footage at a minimum. Live-broadcasting from the device is
limited to 30 minutes per clip, and a full 1080p version of the video
footage is saved on the Bloggie Live's 8GB internal hard drive.
The connectivity options are limited to Wi-Fi at this point, but Sony
and Verizon have teamed up to offer a $50 credit for anyone who buys
both a Bloggie Live camcorder and a Verizon 4G LTE Jetpack Mobile
hotspot, which can be used together to stream video from the Bloggie via
a 4G cellular connection.
Outside
of the wireless connectivity options, the new Bloggie Live is also
well-equipped: When it's not streaming video, it shoots 12.8-megapixel
still images while it's recording 1080p video at 30fps (as well as 720p
at 60fps), has a front-mounted LED lamp/flash, a macro autofocus mode,
and offers digital image stabilization.
The camcorder is operated via a
3-inch touchscreen, and an integrated USB connector pops out of the
bottom of the unit.
Sony says that the new Bloggie line's performance has been improved using popular smartphones such as the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy SII
as a barometer of sorts. The company claims that the CMOS sensor in the
new Bloggie lineup offers better contrast, detail, white balance, and
low-light shooting than the leading smartphone cameras on the market,
and that the new pocket camcorders were developed to offer a a
significant video-quality advantage over the best phones.
Priced at $250, the Sony Bloggie Live pocket camcorder will be available in January, right after CES.
In addition to the Bloggie Live, Sony also introduced a new ruggedized
pocket camcorder that offers many of the same core specs, minus the
Wi-Fi capabilities.
The waterproof and shockproof Bloggie Sport has a dedicated mode for
shooting underwater, and it records 1080p video and 12.8-megapixel
stills. It's controlled via a 2.7-inch touchscreen and offers a pop-out
USB connector, digital stabilization, an LED lamp, and 4GB of internal
storage. Due in February, it's priced at $180.
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