Panasonic intros two standard-def camcorders

In order to complement its HD camcorders, Panasonic has announced two standard-definition cameras, the SDR-SW20 and SDR-S7. The SW20 is dustproof, waterproof to a depth of five feet, and also shock-proof, albeit only to a height of four feet. It records to SD and SDHC cards up to 16GB in size, which at peak capacity allows for 13 hours and 20 minutes of video. The lens features 10x optical zoom, and the LCD display measures 2.7 inches.

The SDR-S7 is essentially identical to the SW20, but is built with a different body and does not have any of the damage or environmental safeguards of its sibling. The S7 is set to be released in May for $300; the SW20 will arrive beforehand in February, but will cost $400.