First few hours with India's first 3D HD camera

We have so much of 3D around these days. They are everywhere, from movies to TV and computer screens. But where is the content to play on these devices? Vu Technologies thinks it has a solution you can afford. The company has launched a Full HD 3D camera which can also take still pictures, the first of the kind in India. The camera costs a very competitive Rs 19,990. Not that there is any competition at the moment.

The first thing that you will notice about this very handy handycam is the 3.2-inch LCD screen which can give a decent 3D, at least in depth, without the use of glasses. There is no viewfinder, so this is your guide for all shots. You can also switch off the 3D to take regular HD video or 16MP stills. There is a separate button for clicking photos. There is no touchscreen though and you have to juggle between a host of buttons and dials for the controls.

Interestingly, you can start shooting only after the dual-lens has been flipped horizontally, making the camera look a bit like a hammerhead shark. There is a LED flash in the space vacated by the lens, and this will be very handy for low light shoots.

The menu is very easy to use as it depends more on images than text - though time you feel that is a dumped down version of camera controls. Thankfully everything works, with some help from the toggle button near your thumb. So you can change the depth of the 3D, the quality of the video and other setting using the toggle.

However, we found it a bit hard to click the record button with the thumb. It is much easier to reach the photo button. There is also a 3D on/off switch as well as menu button opposite the screen. A dial above the toggle lets you select the Settings, Video or Camera option.

The zoom is smooth, especially when the 3D is switched off. The stills are not that great at the far end of the zoom though. Anyway before you start serious shooting with this camera make sure you have at least a 16GB SD card to save the content in.

Read the full review in the next issue of Gadgets & Gizmos.