@AC 09:49 GMT

"Since playback from the device itself takes up considerably less cycles that record, I would assume, from you comments, that the record process is a bit cack resulting in dodgy files." No the recorded files were fine. otherwise the transcoded files would have audio that was out of sync.

Still all we want is a small device with 720p at 30 fps (not 25 or god forbid 24) and a 10x optical zoom. OIS and a single button to set the white balance. That would do me :)

Not even as simple as that

It all harks back to vacuum tube TV cameras, no doubt still used because it conveniently exaggerates the sensor size for those who believe it is a straight measurement.

See http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=Sensor_Sizes for the gory details, but suffice to say the actual size is about two-thirds of the numeric value.

A 1/2.3" sensor is actually about 7.7mm on the diagonal.