>>>Follow-up, that link led me to another link for one that looks rather impressive and will be out in a week:
>>>
>>>http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-HMX-U10-Ultra-Compact-Full-HD-Camcorder/dp/B002GYWJ3Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1255237894&sr=1-1
>>
>>That is impressive, full 1920x1080 HD video for $160.
>>
>>If you're concerned about zoom at all, I don't think that unit has any optical zoom whatsoever. I can't find any specs that say it has zoom, the unit is so new it doesn't even seem to be on the Samsung site. If you zoom in close to the lens in the Amazon pic you can see the focal length is a fixed 7.9mm. My Canon with 3x optical zoom shows 5.4 - 16.2mm focal length printed on the front of the lens.
>
>I would imagine they think the high definition reduces the need for an optical zoom and the reduction in moving parts is good for weight and reliablility.

...and manufacturing cost. Maybe when it employs the not-optical zoom, it uses the CSI machine which removes blurred pixels?

Though (warning: heavy thread drift next 2km) of all the CSI machinery, I'd really love to have the tricorderly anything analyzer, so I could just buy a smaller package of something, see on the spot if it contains any of the aspartame, heavy metals, estrogen, GMO proteins, refined axle grease and other lubricants, corn syrup (with or without mercury) etc etc, then if I'm satisfied, go buy two large packs, if not, blacklist the item and throw into nearest waste basket.

Now that would revolutionize shopping...