Panasonic (http://www.panasonic.com) has announced the HDC-Z10000, its first integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that's fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard, which was also recently announced. Pricing and availability haven't been announced.

The HDC-Z10000 builds on Panasonic's 3D innovations, having the closest 3D video macro setting with a twin-lens 3D camcorder at approximately 17.8 inches. New to Panasonic's 3D-capable camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD that appears 3D to the naked eye; no 3D eyewear is needed.  By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes, creating a 3D effect.  The user can check 3D images while shooting, without having to connect a monitor. The display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.

Based on the AVCHD format, this new standard has been upgraded to AVCHD 3D, which uses MVC (Multiview Video Coding) to record and playback 3D images via the Frame Sequential Method, and AVCHD Progressive for progressive formats. The HDC-Z10000 also employs the 1080/60 progressive method to record twice as much image data as the 1080/60 interlace method.

Fast-moving subjects, such as in sports scenes, are smoothly recorded, according to the folks at Panasonic. The progressive recording of the HDC-Z10000 fully complies with the new AVCHD Progressive standard. For those looking for control over which recording modes are available, the user can select the preferred recording mode from AVCHD 3D (1080/60i, 1080/24p, and 1080/30p, AVCHD Progressive (1080/60p), and AVCHD (1080/24p, 1080/30p and 1080/60i PH/HA/HE mode).