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Sanyo Xacti HD1A 5.1MP MPEG4 High-Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom | 
| Brand: Sanyo
Category: Photography
List Price: $699.99
Buy New: $280.00
as of 7/29/2010 14:46 PDT details
You Save: $419.99 (60%)
New (4) from $280.00
Seller: TB Digital
Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 49431
Media: Electronics
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 2.2
Maximum Focal Length: 63
Minimum Focal Length: 6.3
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 7.1 x 5.4
MPN: VPC-HD1A
Model: VPC-HD1A
UPC: 086483063794
EAN: 0086483067945
ASIN: B000GT4BCI
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Digital media camera combines the functionality of a digital camera with a digital camcorder | | • | Simultaneously records high-definition digital video and 5.1-megapixel digital still images | | • | Clear, 2.2-inch LCD monitor | | • | Highly-efficient 10x optical zoom lens and 10x digital zoom | | • | Built-in image stabilization; high-quality digital stereo recording |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
CL) V1) SANYO VPC-HD1A HIGH DEF CAM
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
 It is what it is November 1, 2006
W. Roland (Southest USA)
92 out of 93 found this review helpful
Yes, technically this is a HiDef camcorder. No, its video output is not on par with traditional HDV camcorders such as those from Sony, Canon, etc. But, it is important to understand that this is a hybrid device with a unique feature set and good performance with a cost point that is about half of what a low-end HDV camcorder would cost. The video quality (in HD mode) is superior to regular DV camcorders and the stills are better than my 5-year old Sony 4MP camera. If I'm going to shoot critical production video or capture stills for color-separated print work, I going to use the proper tools. But, I'm not going to haul pro gear to a high school soccer game or a family BBQ. I can throw this thing into my pocket, shoot for hours and have fun doing it. For me, the unique packaging, versatile operation and efficient battery life means I will shoot more memories. Sometimes, that's more important than the compression scheme or low-light performance. Highly recommended.
The best camera in the world is useless if you don't have it with you... December 31, 2006
Steven W. Rose (Haliimaile, HI United States)
40 out of 44 found this review helpful
The HD1 is a wonderful, amazing camera. And it is small enough that you can always have it with you -- I've carried mine for months in my front pants pocket in its protective case, and been able to capture family and work stills and video that would otherwise have been lost. Even if the quality were not up to par, I would have something instead of nothing. But the quality is great! I'll expand on the quality below.
This camera is genuinely high definition, more than three times the resolution of NTSC. This is best shown by comparing a DV image captured with firewire (no NTSC modulation artifacts) on a computer monitor, to the HD1 image transferred from its SD card. Notice that this comparison should favor the DV -- but instead, it makes the increased resolution of the HD1 clear.
HD televisons and monitors are already commonplace, and video captured at less than HD quality will not be as highly valued (like 8mm, good for historical content). Capturing now in HD preserves the value of your video. And this camera fits in your pocket! My bet is anyone who thinks the video from this camera is not significantly better than DV is looking at its output downconverted to letterboxed NTSC, probably on an old TV.
The HD1 records in 720p30 format for an hour on a 4GB sd card (about $70). There is no transport noise picked up by the on-board microphones, as there is no tape transport! Even lens and finger noises are attenuated by the intelligent placement of the microphones on the back of the fold-out screen, where unlike other cameras, they are pointed at the subject! It also has an external microphone jack, missing in other cameras.
Once the camera is turned on, folding the viewfinder puts it in standby mode with no apparent impact on battery life. This way, the camera is ready to go in a couple of seconds after the viewfinder is opened. Mine stays in standby, sometimes for days between uses. Battery life is very good (but keep a charged spare with you, just like you keep a second SD memory card).
The still shots from this camera are as good as or better than most dedicated still cameras. I would rate it just below the Sony DSC-T7. However, the HD1 has a 10x optical zoom, which reduces the need for cropping, thereby preserving resolution. Look at the stills and video from the HD1 on steves-[...] (different Steve), which is a blowaway excellent web site for comparing cameras.
The output of the HD1 is not as clean as the output from the Sony HC3 or the Canon HV10 HDV comcorders, both of which capture at a higher resolution. Ironically both use CMOS sensors which have historically been much noisier than CCDs like the HD1's. I suspect that this is due to better post capture processing, so I'm eager to try something like Noise Ninja or NeatImage on the HD1 output. However, as is, it is easy to mix the video from all three using Vegas Video (and I'm sure other editors), especially when the HDV cameras have been used for tripod shots and the HD1 for handheld, more casual shots. Of course, the HV10 and HC3 each cost about twice the HD1, and as wonderfully compact as they are, neither fits in your pocket.
The program Jet Audio [...] is the best I've found for playing the MPEG-4 video directly from the HD1 SD card on a PC. Even the free version does a great job.
Two other general purpose digital imaging notes: Always make two copies of your image files on different media before erasing the original! And rent some Internet space from a web host somewhere across the country (or world) and copy your image files to a non-public area on your web server space. This costs as little as $6 / month for 150 GB or so somewhere in a secured, backed up facility. And you can still use the public part of the space to create a web site. If there is a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, fire, etc. your "irreplacable family photos" (including any old ones you've scanned or reshot on your digital camera and uploaded) will still be safe. I understand at this point there are folks offering this sort of a service directly, although typically at a higher cost.
Another review mentions the "drawback" of the video freezing briefly when a still is captured while shooting video. On the other hand, this camera in video mode is shooting 30 1MP stills each second! Take your pick and always get the right moment.
Did I mention that the HD1 is a genuine High Definition video camera / recorder that fits in your pocket so you can always have it with you? What an outrageous step forward! I hope you like yours and find it as useful as I do mine.
Aloha,
Steve
Great for the size. November 8, 2006
B for Briandetta (Old Tappan, NJ USA)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
For the size and compactibility - you can't get any better. Takes great digital stills and good video. Looks great up on my plasma - better than my old dv camcorder. If I wanted something large to carry around, then I would go for the Sony HD camcorder with 5.1 sound; but I just want something you can place in your pocket and run out with. Great for travel and for taking to parties - places where you don't want to be carrying a lot of equipment.
Perfect for me, just had to learn to set it up..... December 2, 2006
Ricardo Cornejo Avend (Monterrey, Mexico)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I was looking for a nice camera to record videos and take pictures of my daughters. I'm upgrading for a Panasonic D-Snap 1.2MPix, so anything above that would had been perfect for me. I was really impacted when I saw my first recorded video in my 30in LCD TV....absolutely HD in Widescreen. My wife was amazed to see the kids on the TV with that resolution.
At the beginning I was taking pictures inside home with low ligth. The pictures were not so good, but since this camera lets you play around with the shooter speed, the white balance, the focus and many other settings, I was able to take near perfect pictures under this and any other type of light.
Pictures in natural light are absolutely perfect as long as you know how to adjust the settings accordingly. Let's put it this way, if you expect to take perfect videos and pictures with the AUTO mode in everything, then this camera is not for you. Take an hour or so to learn how to adjust the settings and you'll have a very very decent HD camera with an amazing 5MPix still camera, all in one.
Just keep in mind that you'll have to buy a 2GB SD card at least to get 40 minutes of HD video...
Well Pleased July 10, 2007
Jerome
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I ordered this camera on Monday and received it on Wed of the same week. I bought it from Ritz Camera for $399.00 and although it wasn't mentioned in the add I also got a free tripod, carrying case and cleaning kit.
The camera is fantastic. I have a Sony DV camcorder and the Sanyo is a huge improvement in video quality. I bought it because of the size thinking this would be a good little camera for trips but I would use my sony around the house. After seeing the Video and still picture quality, the Sony is being retired.
I don't understand the reviewer who said he had trouble downloading the images from the camera. I drop it into the docking station and open the videos in Windows Media viewer and enjoy the show.
I have burned several DVD's using the included software with no problems. I do prefer Nero, but that is because I have used it more.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
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