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Today's Show:
On a recent family vacation to Sequoia National Park, Braden's trusty digital camera finally died.  Sure losing an old gadget is great because you know you get to replace it with the latest and greatest, but it certainly isn't ideal when you're in one of the most scenic places on the planet and happen to be the only tourist with a circa 1990 disposable camera.  Since the newest digital cameras also allow for HD video capture, we thought the quest for a new camera would make nice content for the show.

Digital Camera Quest
Requirements for the new camera:

• High Definition video capture
• Small
• SD memory card

"Nice to have" features for the new camera

• Low cost
• Durable
• Direct USB connection to computer
  
• Charge via USB
  

Options:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K, $276

• 9-megapixel resolution
• 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection
• Captures images to SD memory cards
• 720p high-definition motion pictures (1280 x 720 at 30 fps)
• Direct USB interface
• 4 1/2 stars at Amazon (160 reviews)

Cons:

• Uses QuickTime Motion JPEG for video capture rather than MPEG4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35K, $280

• 10-megapixel resolution
  
• 4x wide-angle optical zoom; Mega Optical Image Stabilize
• Captures images to SD memory cards
• 720p high-definition motion pictures (1280 x 720 at 30 fps)
• Direct USB interface
• 4 1/2 stars at Amazon (12 reviews)

Cons:

• Uses QuickTime Motion JPEG for video capture rather than MPEG4

Samsung NV24HD, $271

• 10-megapixel resolution for high-quality prints;
• 3.6x optical zoom; ultra-wide angle 24mm Schneider lens
• Capture high-definition 720p video (1280 x 720 at 30 fps)
• Capture images to SD cards
• Videos recorded to mpeg4 (H.264)
• Direct USB interface
• 3 1/2 stars at Amazon (16 reviews)

Cons:

• Lower user rating at Amazon

Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD, $299 (pre-order until Sep. 20)

• 10-megapixel resolution
• 15x optical zoom; wide-angle lens
• 720p HD compatible video (1280 x 720 at 30 fps)
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards
• Direct USB interface
• Records movies in MPEG4 (ISO standard)

Cons:

• Larger form factor
• Not out yet, so no user feedback
  

Sanyo Xacti HD700, $389

• Records high-definition digital video and 7 MP digital still images
• 5x HD zoom lens; 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
• In-camera editing; compatible with iMovie '08
• HDMI high-definition output; compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards
• 2 hour and 46 minutes of 720p high-definition video on a single 8GB card

Cons:

• Expensive
• More of a video camera than a still camera
• USB via docking station
  

Know of a good option for a digital camera that records HD video?  Let us know: hdtvpodcast@mac.com