Sony MHSFS3 Bloggie HD Pocket Camcorder with 3D Shooting Capability - Black (4XDigital+1XOptical Zoom , 5MP, 2.4 inch LCD)

A further attempt from Sony to promote 3D technology. This is a two-lens 'High Definition' video and stills camera with an emphasis on sharing content online through social media sites - particularly YouTube, Facebook and photo upload sites.

The camera itself is a little larger than a smart phone with the front in a rubber protective coating and the back a glossy finger-print-attracting finish, together with a relatively small screen for displaying captured images in both two and three dimensions. It's worth noting that the lenses themselves are not protected by lens covers and Sony don't bundle a case with the camera. In fact, the range of cases for the Bloggie are very limited. The design is minimalistic with three multipurpose buttons on the back which carry out various functions depending on where you are in the menu system and a record/select button at the centre of a four way navigation dial. The top side of the camera has an on/off button adjacent to a large button to take either 2 or 3 D photos. On the bottom side of the camera is a recessed USB connector and a mini HDMI port. On the front as well as the lenses is a small light (not a flash) for use in low level light conditions for both still and video footage.

The Bloggie is bundled with software loaded in the camera memory which when attached by USB to either a PC or Mac installs interface software which allows the downloading of images from the camera and subsequent upload to social networking and photo sharing sites - assuming you have an account with them.

The Bloggie is well constructed but has a bit of an experimental feel to it. The maximum resolution the camera can capture is 5 million mega pixels - rather low spec for most cameras these days and often matched or exceeded by smart phones including Sony's own mobile phones many of which can capture higher resolution images. There is a conflict with the emphasis both on high definition image capture and sharing content online where resolution is often a secondary consideration.

I guess the main reason why people will buy the Bloggie will be due its 3D offering. 3D content can be viewed, without glasses, on the Bloggie in-built screen which uses prisms to direct different images to each eye. However, the screen is very small at 2.4 inches - significantly smaller (and poorer quality) that an iPhone screen. Also 3D rendering results in a pattern of vertical lines appearing on the screen. Yes, you can view the images in 3D but it's not exactly a virtual-reality experience. Despite Sony's claims that you can share experiences with friends with 3D this is optimistic on such a small screen. I do, however, have a Sony 3D TV and so was able to use the Bloggie to send 3D images to the television. This is a far more realistic way to share experiences but again there are problems. The Bloggie does not come with the necessary cabling to connect it to a TV. You need a HDMI cable, but not the kind that is commonly used to connect HD products. The camera has a mini HDMI port so you'll need to buy a mini to standard HDMI cable. I bought one on Amazon. The results are OK. The TV recognises the 3D input and shows film or photos in 3D. Disappointingly the Sony TV remote control does not work with the Bloggie so you can't use fast forward, skip to the next film or anything like than via the TV - you have to do this using the Bloggie's interface which means messing around with the camera rather than watching the 3D footage. The footage itself is of fair quality but don't expect Blu-Ray quality 3D - the camera simply doesn't deliver it because the CMOS sensor is not good enough. There's yet another issue. You can only watch 3D footage from the Bloggie by connecting the Bloggie to the TV. You can't store the images on a memory stick and watch the files from that. As a result if you want to watch 3D it must always be stored on the Bloggie. With an 8Gb memory which will quickly be filled, having to retain 3D files on the Bloggie to watch it on your TV is a major limitation. You can upload 3D to YouTube but the quality is poor and relies on the old Red/Green glasses so see 3D which we all know is pretty useless.

The are some problems with the manufacture's description of the Bloggie on the Amazon site. There is no second LCD screen as described. This is a feature of another camera in the Bloggie range. Nor does this Bloggie come with a 360 degrees panoramic camera shown fitted to the Bloggie in one of the product photos. You have to buy a more expensive version of the 3D Bloggie to get this and can't buy it from Sony separately. I'm not sure why this is the case. Finally, a 3D picture is shown of runners with the camera in a portrait orientation. In fact 3D is only possible for landscape - sideways - orientation.

So, as a self-confessed early adopter of technology, and a fan of 3D, I'd describe the Bloggie as 'interesting' and a good way to play with 3D. It doesn't deliver high quality high definition images however - either on the tiny screen or on a 3D TV - and there are significant issues in sharing and retaining 3D content. At its price point I guess you get what you pay for and it's the 3D that must be the compelling reason for buying it. As a stand alone camera, except for 3D, it's no better than the camera you're likely carrying round on your smart phone. So three stars for 3D.

This is a relatively inexpensive 3D camera, and it's a good way to try out 3D video. The problem is that there's relatively little you can do with the results.

The camera is about the size of a typical mobile phone, with two lenses on one side, and a 3D TFT screen on the other. It's the same sort of screen that's used on the Nintendo 3DS (you need your eyes in just the right position to see the 3D properly), but the viewfinder quality is nothing like as good as the 3DS - there are noticeable vertical black bars between each column of pixels when shooting in 3D.

It's a doddle to use: there's an on/off button on the top, together with the button for taking still pictures. On the back, there's the button to press when you want to record video, flanked by zoom, fill-in light (to brighten your subject in dim lighting) and a self-timer. There are also three buttons beside the screen (the screen is not a touch-screen), to enter the setup menu, to toggle between 2D and 3D, and to review photos and video you have already taken. On the bottom edge, there's a mini HDMI out and a flip-out USB plug for transferring pictures to your PC and for charging the Bloggie. And that's it. The memory is a built-in 8Gb, which should be enough for most uses.

When working in 3D, video is fixed at 1080p at 30 fps, and still photographs are 2M pixel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. When working in 2D, you can choose lower video resolutions (including 720p at 60fps), and still pictures can be 5M pixel 4:3, 3M pixel 16:9 or 0.4M pixel 16:9. You can only use the electronic zoom when you're working in 2D. File formats are MP4 for video and JPEG for still pictures.

The 3D video is not, unfortunately, compatible with all 3D televisions. It splits the 1920 pixel width into two half-width frames, so what you get if you view the video "raw" is two 960 x 1080 video images side-by-side; check to see if your 3DTV supports that format. Bizarrely, the Bloggie software supplied on the camera cannot display either the still photographs or the video in 3D, so unless you have suitable software from a third-party, there's not much you can do with your 3D content. Possible third-party packages to edit the 3D video (and output to a red/cyan 3D video requiring the use of red/cyan 3D glasses) include Roxio Video Lab HD (PC). YouTube has support for 3D video (no, I didn't know either), so you can share your 3D creations too.

I couldn't work out how to view the 3D still images in 3D, except on the TFT screen on the back of the camera.

It's hard to say if 3D is a fad or the beginning of a whole new way to record the world; the Bloggie 3D is a good way to dip a toe in the water.

The Sony Bloggie offers several model variations in its impressive Bloggie range, each offering HD recording. This device stands out visually because it has 2 lenses - allowing 3D video shooting. The attractive, solid (durable rubber shell) casing provides the skin for an easy to use camcorder that can be connected to a 3D TV or uploaded to a video sharing site (may need glasse) that allows 3D viewing.

Model MHS-FS3: Marketed as the World's First HD 3D Pocket Camera - this is because it's an MP4 based consumer digital camera capable of recording vertical resolution of 1080 (currently unique for the 3D market). It is also a 5.1MP camera (JPG), holds 8GB and has a flip-out USB arm and sharing software included on the drive. The screen is 2.4in LCD.

First Impressions:
Even the packaging is smart and practical. The box is only slightly larger in size than a can of cola and contains a smart presentation box that looks similar to a jewellery display case. Inside there is no 200 page manual lurking nervously, because, as I quickly discovered this is one of the most self explanatory devices I have ever used. There is a full PDF manual contained in the software and a handy quick start guide on the box. The software is stored on the device. There is a limited editing facility that does not provide adjustment for brightness and picture settings. However, these days most users have their own software or can make use of the endless free video editing suites available . The included software does facilitate easy sharing with the main social networking sites, in particular Youtube where uploading is a breeze.

The Bloggie has a built in pop-out USB connector. This is best for laptops as it still needs to be placed on a table or surface of some description, rather than leave it in mid air, dangling and at risk of falling. For my desktop PC I had no option but to let it dangle, using the short USB extension lead that is included.

The memory capacity for this model is 8GB, though realistically you get about 7.5GB for reasons that are familiar with anyone who has ever purchased any type of external hard drive. I won't go into the technical reasons here but it is due to the way a PC calculates memory. Plus, some of it already contains the software/manual.

The memory is larger than the 4GB of other models in the range and there is no expansion card slot. I prefer this. Cards are just another item to misplace and it's easier to just transfer footage to a PC and delete the internal memory as needed.

The manufacturers description includes something I do not understand "There's also a secondary 2" LCD screen for easy picture composition and viewing when shooting handheld self-portraits with the camera at arm's length". Maybe it's me but I have no idea what that means?

Regarding the screen, Some people may consider the screen slightly too small for the body but just large enough to enjoy watching footage. I find it acceptable.

3D: It is the 3D capability that really confirms the Bloggie's credentials as a revolutionary device. I took test footage and, depending on the amount of light, found the results to be excellent. The screen needs to be viewed at a certain distance and angle and after a while this becomes second nature and you will enjoy some spectacular sights. Items appear to 'jump out' of the screen and this is due, in part to the way the Bloggie creates perspective.

Ease of use: So self explanatory is the menu and button layout, I defy anyone not to have it working within 15 minutes. The Bloggie is perfect for the fast paced world of the blogger/journalist who doesn't want or need endless settings.

A few (of many) key technical specifications:
- Image Sensor Type: Exmor(tm) CMOS sensor
- Optical Zoom 1x, Digital Zoom 4x
- Size (mm): Width 55 Height 108 Depth 17.3
- Recording Media: 8GB Internal Memory
- Recording Format: MP4 / JPEG

Less than 2 - 3 years ago, the idea of being able to carry around such a light pocket sized device that records in 3D HD would have been unbelievable.

In low light, the Bloggie performs very well due to an additional LED light that can be turned on. There is also a 'face detection' setting that allows the camera to adjust focus when it recognises a face. I have not specifically tested it with this in mind but I'm sure it can only be a bonus.

The rechargeable Lithium battery includes Sony's patented Stamina technology that allows increased recording time. From personal experience I have always found Sony camcorder batteries superior to other manufacturers. They also provide a realistic notification about the remaining amount of juice left. Many don't. About 90mins battery life is predicted however, if you expect to turn the camera on/off and play with the features, including watching back video, this will lessen.

In general my footage, taken inside a well light restaurant did not require use of the built in light and appeared crisp and colours vivid. Outdoors on a bright day, the footage was steady, crisp and colour was detailed. On my modern laptop screen the picture was definitely more impressive than on my older but still good, PC monitor.

Summary:

PROS: At 120g (feels even lighter), dressed in a durable rubber shell, this poket sized HD Camcorder would be impressive even without the 3D capability. With 3D, and well priced, I can highly recommend the Sony Bloggie. If you want to enjoy creating and watching your own 3D video this device is a technophiles dream.

CONS: None of any significance.