Awesome Camcorders

This awesome new LEGO Creator series kit is just under 20 bucks and makes a great gift for photographers. The 261-piece set offers three building options: a 35 mm camera with film cartridges, a camcorder, or a mini television. The only thing wrong with it is that it won’t ship until right after Christmas.

Waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof, this action camera is ready to take on whatever you throw at it, shooting 4K video via a wide-angle F2.0 lens, with 5-axis image stabilization, and built in GPS, compass, altitude sensor, and accelerometers.

DJI leverages what its learned from making quadcopter cameras to make a fully stabilized lightweight handheld camera. The Osmo comes with a 12MP camera that takes 4K videos, but it’s also compatible with the Zenmuse X5 micro four-thirds camera.

A compact camcorder that shoots 1504×1504 360º videos at 30fps. It’s water-, dust- and shock-resistant and comes with a flat and a curved mount. Use its mobile app to view videos in real time and share them on Facebook and Twitter.

The FDR-AX33 is the most compact 4K Handycam yet. It has a 1″ Exmor R CMOS sensor, 12x optical zoom and balanced optical image stabilization. It can shoot 3840×2160 video at 30/24fps and 1920×1080 video at 60/30/24fps.

A compact, splashproof 4K video camera that shoots 3840×2160 video at 30fps. A powerful Bionz X processor helps overall image quality. Has Wi-Fi for remote control and HDMI for direct connection to 4K TVs. Drops 3/15 for $500.

Kogeto’s Joey is a panoramic video camera. Its 13mp image sensor captures 360º 3840 x 720 video at 30fps. Kogeto already has its video hosting service running, so you can immediately upload and share your videos online.

Targeted at musicians, the Zoom Q4 captures 1080p/30 HD video, and high quality sound (up to 24-bit/96kHz) via X/Y stereo microphones. Its built-in LCD screen can be flipped around or removed, and it can even live-stream via USB.

The FDR-AX100/B shoots at up to 3840×2160 resolution. It has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with 12x optical zoom, a 1″ Exmor R CMOS sensor, optical image stabilization, OLED electronic viewfinder and 3.5″ LCD screen.

You might not mind the bleachers with Sony’s new DEV-50V binoculars. They sport a much sleeker design, are 30 percent lighter than the DEV-5 predecessor and can record and play HD video in stereoscopic 3D. Out 6/13 for $2K.

Attempting to steal some thunder from dedicated action-cams, the OutRide adds a wide-angle lens, protective case and mounts for your iPhone 4/4S, and a companion app for instant online sharing.

Instead of slapping an add-on camera onto headgear, the iON is an 8mp/1080p HD camera built into a slick pair of impact and fog-resistant goggles. Its controls work through thick gloves too.

The Action Cam weighs just about 0.20lbs and can take clear 1080p videos thanks to its backlit Exmor R CMOS sensor, SteadyShot stabilization and ultra wide-angle Carl Zeiss lens. Available with Wi-Fi.

Aimed squarely at GoPro, the oddly-named GC-XA1 ADDIXION is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof, captures video at 1080p/30 or 720p/60, and offers Wi-Fi connectivity.

Aiming to be the new king of the DSLR hill, the D4 has a jumbo 16.2MP sensor, broadcast quality 1080p video, uncompressed HDMI output, and an ISO range of 50 to 204800. Price? Around $6k.

An intriguing alternative to the ubiquitous GoPro, the aerodynamic Drift HD shoots 1080p video, has a small screen for reviewing footage and a wrist-worn remote. Offers a variety of mounting options.