Sanyo’s new Xacti VPC-HD1010 compact 1080i camcorder
If your life is anything like ours, you can’t capture memories in anything but hi-definition. It’s just that exciting. Thankfully, Sanyo understands our plight, adding to their Xacti line of HD camcorders this morning with the VPC-HD1010. The HD1010 is a compact affair, packed with features including a 4MP still-shot sensor, 2.7″ widescreen LCD, and an SDHC slot. The real prize here, of course, is the 1080i recording capabilities, however. The HD1010 allows for 60 frames-per-second video capture, recording it all in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video format. Sound comes in at up to 48khz/16bit stereo. The best part, however, is the this baby will be available in the US beginning in July for an ultra-reasonable $800 retail tag.
Tags: 1080i, HD, sanyo, vpc-hd1010
I have the Sanyo Xacti HD1A(bought March. 07 for under $500)which records 720 HD. I really like the small size, the many options, very sharp, colorful outdoor sunny day results, and fact that it records to SD card, but the main issue for me has been the limited functionality of the digital type image stabilization, which does work somewhat, and is better than none, but is not good enough for many uses.
The image quality can be excellent playing back on a large screen in High Def., but its very hard not to get dizzy watching the scene shake and jiggle even when all effort is made to be steady. They need some type of advanced SUPER OPTICAL Image Stabilization on top of digital type efforts which hopefully have improved also. I cannot tell from their info. just what means and methods they are using to accomplish their claimed improved Image Stabilization. Another way I would improve the Xacti lineup is to have the zoom range start from a wider angle. It is when you are more zoomed in that the image shake is more bothersome during playback. Why not start at 28mm and make the zoom power 12X instead of 10X?
If it does not include a new advanced very effective OPTICAL solution, then I will have to pass until they do, or go Sony.
I am glad to see they have addressed image quality issues with slightly less compression, the lens allows more light and hopefully low light shooting will have better color balance and white balance along with less noise. I also hope the batter lasts longer, I was only getting about 1 hour recording time per charge and would prefer more.
Don’t get me wrong, there are ways to get excellent pictures out of even my unit, such as using a tri-pod, shooting outdoor scenes on bright sunny days and keeping the zoom level at mostly wide angle. The playback at times on an HD TV is just stunning at times, and I don’t need to keep buying tapes anymore. If they have improved low light noise and indoor white balance along with stronger more effective Image Stabiliztion, this will be a model to consider for many, esp. at the price point.
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