New Panasonic MX5000
 

Not to be out done by Sony's new TRV950, Panasonic is coming out with a MX5000 with even smaller CCDs than the Sony. Yes, 3, 1/6" CCDs (for the Pana). Video effective CCD pixels are 690K. The MX5000 is due out this July (in Japan), with the PAL version to follow soon after. North America? Who knows!

I knew it was only a matter of a short time before we see a three CCD camcorder with 1/6th-inch chips. I wonder if it will have Panasonic's new and rare multi-port jack, which allows remote zoom and focus via equally rare proprietary Panasonic controller.

Panasonic's first 3-chip with 1/6" CCDs was the NV-MX2000, then followed with the MX2500...for what it's worth. They were poor sellers, so then Panasonic came out with a MX2000/2500 look-a-like, but with larger 1/4" CCDs. This cam was called the MX350 (PAL), but I'm not sure if they came out with a Jap. NTSC model with an extra "0" - MX3500. Personally, I don't think the 2000 and 2500 were all that good (note, I'm being kind).