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JVC GC-PX10 Camera / Camcorder Hybrid Having an Identity Crisis

For many prosumers, the idea of having to carry both a video camera and a still image camera is not an appealing thought. Twice the amount of storage, twice the batteries and all the other miscellaneous items can add up quick. For this reason, JVC's latest GC-PX10 hybrid camera perhaps is something that can kill two birds with one stone.

During still image mode, you can use the GC-PX10 to shoot 12MP shots at 30 frames per second. If that is not enough, by lowering the resolution down to 8MP, you will be able to shoot at 60fps. The only catch is that the internal buffer is only good for 60 12MP or 130 8MP shots - or a mere 2 seconds - before being filled up. Of course, if that is not enough, you can lower the resolution to 640 x 360 and shoot at three hundred frames per second for two hours and get some extra, extra slow motion action.

On the video camera side of the equation, you can record in full 1080p at a whopping 36Mbps and still grab 8MP still shots at the same time. If all that is not enough to impress you, the KONICA MINOLTA HD 10x optical lens will allow you to grab super crisp shots from way out. The 3-inch touch panel rear display will not only allow you to view your masterpieces but also allow you to configure your camera the way you want it. With 32GB of internal memory and a SDXC slot, you wont even run of space before you run out action.

Before you rush out and pre-order the JVC GC-PX10 (which is due to be released sometime later this month), all these features and abilities do however come with two major caveats. The first is that the hybrid camera is not a small device. In fact, with its odd shape, it shares more in common with an old fashioned "handy cam" than a camera. This means while it will take up less room than two devices, it still requires a lot of storage space. This is not that big a deal, but what will be a deal breaker for many is the price. With an estimated asking price of $900, you are going to need to work at justifying this.

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