Sony Bloggie 3D video camera

With Flip Video now officially dead and buried, the field is more or less open for Sony and its Bloggie range of pocket camcorders. The new Bloggie 3D is particularly notable in that it is the first pocket camcorder that can record photos and video in ‘stereoscopic' three dimensions.

As with previous models, the Bloggie 3D's emphasis is on ease of use. Press the photo button to take a still shot or the red record button to capture video – it's that simple.

There's a trio of function buttons on the rear of the unit – one of them switches between 2D and 3D, one toggles the playback mode and the third provides access to the Bloggie's rather basic menus.

Plug the camera into your PC using its built-in fold-out USB arm and the included software lets you manage, share and transfer your recordings.

In 2D mode, the resolution for stills is five megapixels and users can choose between high-definition (in the 1080p or 720p resolutions) or low-resolution ‘Lite' video settings. In 3D it's limited to two-megapixel photos and 1080p video. It can, however, be used to view subjects in 3D as you shoot.

The Bloggie's 2.4in screen can display 3D images without the need for any special glasses. To be honest, the effect wasn't great, but at least it allows the user to get a rough idea of how their 3D footage will look. For best results, you'll need a 3D-compatible television and glasses to view the recordings.

The Bloggie has no optical zoom lens and no memory card slot, so storage is limited to the camera's internal 8GB memory. A low-light lamp (in lieu of a flash) and timer are the only other noteworthy features.

The 2D picture quality wasn't bad for a pocket camera, but results don't compare well with more expensive full-size camcorders or dedicated digital cameras. The 3D footage was fairly good for the price – though, again, better results can be achieved with more expensive equipment.

For £200 it was never going to capture Avatar-quality footage, but the Bloggie 3D is not without its appeal. Above all, it's small, simple and fun to play around with.