Panasonic has announced the update to their lauded VDR-D300. The Panasonic VDR-D400 keeps the majority of the specifications found in the D300, which include three 800K CCDs, 2.7″ wide-screen LCD, optical image stabilization, and others. However, some significant changes have been made.

These changes include an increase in optical zoom from 10x to 20x and an F/1.6 lens aperture. This indicates yet another leap forward in the optics of high-end consumer camcorders. The VDR-D400 also features the ability to accept both regular SD memory cards and the new SDHC cards.

The Panasonic VDR-D400 should be available in early September, but only in Japan. There is no word from Panasonic USA as to a U.S. update. The VDR-D400 will be priced at 120,000 yen, or around $1,050 U.S.

Japanese page [ via CCInfo ]