Sony MHS-FS3 (3D Bloggie)

[cybereality]

Sony has a consumer-level 3D pocket camcorder coming out at the end of the month, the Sony MHS-FS3 (3D Bloggie). This camera can record full 1080P30 (1920x1080) in 3D, both video and images. Uses a 2.4" lenticular screen for previewing. The price is going to be under $250.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... 1666294217" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr-Ctttxms0[/youtube]

You can view some samples of the quality in this video (play at 1080P):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXik-ctg49Q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Honestly that stuff is almost professional quality, and for $250 that's an amazing deal. Although the stereo-base is rather small, it should work good for close-up shots like recording the Nintendo 3DS, product unboxings and stuff like that (which is what I need a camera for anyway). So I am pretty close to pre-ordering this unit right here. I was looking at the Fujifilm W3 as well, but the price is around $400 now, making the 3D Bloggie significantly cheaper. The Sony model also records in 1080P30, while the Fujifilm can only muster 720P24. And the overall video quality seems better on the Sony. What do you guys think? Is the stereo-base too small, or is this a really nice kit?

[Fredz]

Nice little thing and great find, looks like a bargain at this price compared to the expensive Fujis and the bad Aiptek.

Though as you said I'd like to know the real interaxial of this beast, it looks like 3,15 cm (1.23") from measuring the photo, so it's really pretty small. I'd need to do some calculations to know for which distances it's best suited, but it looks perfect for close scenes like fiestas with friends.

The fact that it seems to lack a flash from the reviews on Sony's site is a little bit annoying too. But it's still full HD for each eye in 3D, so I think if I had the cash I'd buy it in an heartbeat.

[cybereality]

Well the interaxial on the 3DS is about 1.5", and this looks slightly smaller than that. I can tell you that on the 3DS that the images for close shots do look decent (at least in terms of the 3D) but for landscape shots its basically useless. So its a hard sell for me on this one. All the other features of the camera are sounding really nice. The only thing its missing is a flash, that is a little annoying. But there are not really many choices on the market. There is the W3 ($380 at the moment), which seems solid for photos but the video quality could be better and is only 24FPS. Then there is the Aiptek, which you couldn't pay me to use. Even at $150 it doesn't even seem worth it. Video quality is sub-par and the photos are not much better. But at least it has a normal stereo-base. So I don't know whats the best option.

[Fredz]

The image quality looks pretty nice, a lot better than the 3DS camera from what I see. The image is very precise and colors between both views seem to match very well too. I'm downloading the test 3D video to see what it looks like with shutter glasses.

It seems that it can also handle pretty well scenes where you move while filming, with no suttering or shifting between the two images. But other test videos would be needed to better evaluate that, since the only part where they did move was very slowly panning and seemed to use some sort of handy-cam system.

[cybereality]

Well I would certainly like to see some user-generated content with this camera. I believe that footage is real, but on a tripod/handy-cam with a professional lighting setup and who knows what kind of post-production. But the video does look good. I also viewed some 2D footage from the old Bloggie and it does look nice. The issue I have with my Vado HD is that the video is always a little blurry and the colors are faded. While its technically 720P, the quality just isn't there. So I want something with a crisp image and good colors, and this Sony model looks like it might deliver.

[europanorama]

Hs 8gb integrated flashmemory fur up to 4hrs HD. so the next item is oviously not needed.
I see this special 16gb memory- card listed at 150 chf/usd
MS PRO DuoHigh Grade HX16gb.

I see an round-shaped add-on on the outer/upper lens. image shows the camera vertically.
Could be eighter a viewfinder-very clever or a 360-lens. Anybody knows more.
will check the cam asap.

[WheatstoneHolmes]

I got to use a Sony Bloggie 3D, here is my test video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UTHZbLZ5E[/youtube]

Please note: I didn't get a chance to test if the camera could show a live feed to a HDMI TV or monitor so that info might be wrong

[cybereality]

Very cool. Thanks for doing this. However I don't think I could buy this, the stereo effect is just too mild. But it looks great for close up shots.

[WheatstoneHolmes]

Glad to. I did finally test the HDMI output, the Bloggie 3D does NOT give you a live view on a TV/monitor.

Playback on HDMI on a 24" HDTV (in 2D) looked good as long as you don't pause the video then it's Artifact City!

Compression happens.

[Freke1]

This 3D video did it for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0IF8HtftU4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (downloaded it - the guy has more Sony 3D bloggie videos)
so I ordered one. 165£ (255$) is cheap for sync'ed FullHD 3D with stereo sound I think.
It ain't waterproof but I have some clear waterproof camera cases. Life is going to be easy now - no more 2 cameras! We'll see

Edit: shoots 3840*1080 3D photos (.MPO) (uploaded one: http://www.mtbs3d.com/gallery/displayim ... fullsize=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and 1920*1080 (so squashed) 3D videos (.MP4) at 30fps. There is a builtin 8Gb memory and photos take approx. 1.5Mb and video take approx. 100Mb per minute (so holds about 1 hour of 3D video). It's charged via builtin USB plug (or extra gridadapter) and USB is also used for transfer. There is a plug for a cable to the TV (cable is extra) and a small light for shooting video in the dark. Easy to use: press 2 buttons and You are recording. The distance between the cameras are 2.0 cm / 0.79 inch. Anything from 0.5m to infinity is in focus and with the small distance between the cameras You can hold it out and shoot Yourself without it looking weird. The camera is similar in size as an iPhone, but there is no lens protection so I use a small bag and something from the case/box it came in. The photos are sharper than the video (squashed) but You can see that it is bettar than 720p. The colors and lighting are very ok though not as good as a 1200$ camera and You can shoot into the sun without artifacts appearing. There is only a small amount of rolling shutter effect and the recording is smooth without frameloss. It really is 1080p @ 30 fps. The stereo mics record a lot of windnoise but that should be easy to eliminate with some long haired fur. The videos and photos are nicely aligned for watching on a big 3D TV. The only problem I've seen is a pink flash in a recording I made, I don't know why that happend, but I've seen that in another 3D bloggie Youtube video. But that has happend once out of 20 min. of video I shot. The recordings are normal, not wideangel (25mm) or fisheye. The finish on the camera is great, real quality. All in all this camera delivers very pleasent and high quality 3D on a 3D TV. Not eyedistance between the lenses, but then You can shoot Yourself walking around which is nice actually (look Mom it's me!!!). The price is cheap. I bought a USB-grid adapter and a small bag/pouch with it on amazon.

[WheatstoneHolmes]

You're right the photos are 3840*1080, I wonder how I missed that in my review?

Oh, well...I went ahead and bought the Bloggie 3D too and hope to one day get a waterproof case for it.

Have fun!

[Freke1]

I bought some similar to this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Underwater-Wate ... 460410b01d
in the local supermarket, but You can get more expensive ones with bettar locking. They all work excellent.