Thanko DSLR-like mini camera records HD videos

Thanko has revealed the answer to all the people complaining that DSLR cameras are too big, by launching a DSLR-looking miniature shooter.

A lot of photographers complain about the fact that DSLRs are too big. Even if they could be as small as point-and shoot cameras, they are still too heavy.

Anyway, most people who complain are those who do not own a decent tripod for shooting. Still, it does not matter in which category you are placing yourself, as Thanko has just launched a new product that captures decent photos and detects movement, too.

Thanko’s DSLR-like mini camera features a 5-megapixel image sensor, which can record 720p videos, an LED flash, and microSD card slot of up to 32GB. On top of that, it weights only 17 grams and you could fit several of them in the palm of your hand.

Thanko’s mini camera looks like a DSLR and records 720p videos on 32GB microSD card

Unfortunately, it does not have an official name. Although its codename may be embedded somewhere in the pictures, we would need a better Japanese translator. Either way, Thanko refers to it as the “single-lens reflex camera like”, which is currently available for purchase.

The SLR-like camera is capable of capturing photos at a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels. Moreover, the 5-megapixel sensor can record HD-ready videos at 1280 x 720 pixels.

The multimedia content is directly saved on a microSD card. Its maximum size stands at 32GB, which means that photographers will have plenty of room to store several thousand photos.

LED flash to light up the scene for the 5-megapixel image sensor

In the pictures, an LED flash can be easily spotted, so it is safe to assume that the camera can light up the scene, in order to capture images in low-light conditions.

Thanko added that there is a USB port somewhere at the bottom of the camera, so that users can recharge the battery through a USB connector. The USB port is right near the microSD card, while the shutter button is placed atop the device.

Tiny shooter with plenty of space for a motion detection sensor

The SLR-like mini camera measures 38 x 33 x 28 millimeters, while weighing 17 grams. However, this does not mean that there is not enough room for a motion detection sensor.

It appears that the motion detection technology allows the camera to start recording videos whenever it senses movement in front of the lens. Films are shot in AVI file format, while photos are saved as JPEGs.

The miniature shooter is available for a price of 5,980 yen / about $60 on Thanko’s official website.