Like digital cameras, digital camcorders have begun to add face detection technology to their arsenal of advanced features. Face detection allows your camcorder to distinguish a human face in a scene from other objects.
When a camcorder is in autofocus mode, it will focus on whatever object is at the center of the frame – be it a tree, a rock, or your child. With face detection, the camcorder will skip the trees and automatically focus on a face (or faces), regardless of where it is. You’ll notice face detection at work on your camcorder’s LCD screen. The subject will appear with a box framing his or her face.
Most camcorders with face detection can identify and focus on multiple faces, not just one. Some will let you choose a specific face to track, allowing you to keep the focus on loved ones and not random strangers.
Since the camcorder knows it’s focusing on a human face, most face detection technologies will also adjust the color and brightness of the video to more accurately reproduce skin tones.
Face detection can also be used when reviewing recorded video on your camcorder. Rather than search through saved video by date or by the first frame of the video, you can view frames with faces in them.
Don’t assume that all models with face detection operate in the same manner.
How they differ:
- Number of Faces: Some face detection camcorders can locate only a few faces, some over 20.
- Angle of Faces: Some camcorders will only find a face if it’s staring directly at the lens. Others can focus on faces at different angles.
- Face Tracking: Some face detection systems let you follow a specific face in a crowd, rather than on all of them at once.
- Playback Options: A camcorder with face detection may offer the ability to sort through recorded video by face in the index menu.
If you're considering buying a camcorder, details on face detection are usually called out in product packaging or online. If you already own a camcorder, you can discover if it has face detection or learn it various capabilities, in the owner's manual. Face detection will either have its own chapter or will be described under the chapter devoted to autofocus.
