JVC will begin selling two cameras later this month that feature both still and video recording modes and store data on a removable hard-disk drive.

The GZ-MC100 and GZ-MC200 will both be sold under the 'Everio' name and have similar specifications, but are built into different style cases. The GZ-MC100 is built into a thin case that is held upright with a monitor that hinges out from the side, while the GZ-MC200 is a little squarer and gripped with the hand and has a lens that swivels to point forward.

Both will be supplied with a 4GB MicroDrive removable hard-disk drive from Hitachi. The cameras also accept SD memory cards.

A key function of the cameras is a high-quality video recording mode, said JVC. They have a built-in MPEG2 encoder chip and can record DVD-quality video in 720-x-480 pixel wide-screen format. The supplied 4GB hard-disk drive can store between 1 and 2 hours of video at this resolution and 5 hours of video at the lower 352-x-240 pixel resolution.

The cameras have a 2MP class image sensor and this is available at full 1,600-x-1,200 pixel UXGA resolution in still image mode. At this resolution and with the 4GB drive, users can store either 2,797 fine-mode images or 9,142 standard-mode images, said JVC.

Other features include a 10x optical zoom, a voice recorder and support for PictBridge PC-less printing.

JVC plans to offer both products in Japan, Europe and the US starting in mid-October. The GZ-MC100 will cost ?130,000 (around £645) and the GZ-MC200 will cost ?140,000 (£694), the company said.

From Digit