Sanyo, long-time expert in making small but powerful dual cameras (video + still), just made its first Flip-type camera. Yes! It not only has Sanyo's expertise, it also has a 3X optical zoom and dual-mics that look like shoulder pads.
The price for the VPC-PD2BK is only $170 (right in line with the rest of the pocket cameras), and can do 1080P at 30FPS. It takes 10-megapixel photos, stereo sound recording, flash, SD/SDHC/SDXC card compatible, measures 2.48 x 0.87 x 4.36 and weighs 3.7 ounces. The 3X optical zoom also sets it apart, even if it does make the back look a bit unbalanced and cyborgy.
That Sanyo is getting into the cheaper camcorder space is exciting, even if the space is slowly being squeezed out by higher and higher quality smartphone video recording. Even still, it's going to be a while before you can get this level of quality on a smartphone. [Sanyo]