Sanyo VPC-HD1 Camcorder Review

Ease of Use (3.0)
The Sanyo VPC-HD1 is a far cry from what we consider “easy to use.” Firstly, the "Easy" mode you would find on most Sonys and Canons does not exist on the HD1. Nor is there a clear "Auto" mode, as there is on most Panasonics and JVCs. This will be a major obstacle for newcomers latching onto an affordable high definition camcorder, the clear target market for the HD1. 

Even experienced users will find this a vexing device. The menu layout is unclear, with little logic explaining why certain features appear in the Screen Settings Menu and others in the Options menu. Handling is terrible, with a poorly designed joystick. In time, you’ll learn how to pick your way through the controls, but the joystick will never get more enjoyable.

Handling (2.0)
The Sanyo Xacti HD1 suffers when it comes to handling ease, with problems relating to LCD, controls, body design, and other features. While Sony and Panasonic offer similarly-designed models, both were able to produce them with superior handling and control. The Sony DCR-PC1000 was able to perform with better handling due, in large part, to a strap that securely connected the right hand to the body of the camcorder; the HD1 lacks this strap and has neither texture nor grip, leading to the constant sensation of a precarious grip. Panasonic also managed to produce superior handling results on the SDR-S100 by including intuitively positioned controls on the back panel of the camcorder.

Controls on the back of the Sanyo were poorly positioned for concise use. For example, the sliding zoom lever produced nothing but fast snapping zoom transition without the nuance or smoothness that marked this year's Canon models. In addition, the joystick, while essential to camcorder handling during shooting and playback, was anything but functional. In its current incarnation, this joystick was impossible to use accurately, and pressing it inward to "set" a manual control often led to inadvertent selections and shifts through the menu due to poor design and an undersized interface. Panasonic released camcorders for the consumer market this year with great joystick control that was easy to use with the thumb of the right hand.

In general, this petite camcorder demanded both hands to properly manipulate settings, effectively negating any one-handed benefits that could possibly arise from its size. Controls like video and still image capture are well labeled and sized for competent use, but other features continue the plague of poor handling, with HD and power on/off buttons that are blocked by the frame of the open LCD.

Although, if not attached to a docking station, the HD1 will tip over and potentially cause damage, additional design problems will arise if it's attached to a tripod mount. First, the LCD will not be able to open or close once affixed to a tripod head.  Also, because this camcorder angles its lens barrel at an upward slant when compared to the base of the unit, the tripod legs will need to be adjusted downward to compensate for this odd and mostly unusable perspective. The angle is best used to capture the nostril cavities of one's most hated enemies: definitely not a flattering shot.

Finally, the worst (almost unbelievable) aspect of handling is that the Sanyo VPC-HD1 does not offer live view on the LCD (OLED, in this case) for manual adjustments. In simple terms, this means that you will not have a preview of what the image will look like at f/3.5 and then again at f/3.7 without hitting record, watching the footage as it records, stopping, making the adjustment, then hitting record again and repeating the process. When you're in standby, the image that appears onscreen is the equivalent of "full auto mode." No camcorder that has ever passed through our doors has had the audacity not to offer this basic function.

Portability (9.0)
The Sanyo Xacti HD1 definitely excels in terms of portability: users can comfortably slip this camcorder into a large pocket. For more permanent transport, the Xacti HD1 comes with a larger and somewhat bulky carrying case that, while fine for car travel, does not appear built to withstand rough handling or much weight. When not in the accessory traveling case, this camcorder measures 3.15 inches in width, 4.69 inches in height, and 1.42 in depth and weighs 7.4 ounces.

Since the on/off button is located beneath the LCD screen, users won't need to worry about accidentally turning on this camcorder when carrying it.  The only concern is the flash button located on the right side of the camcorder, which could be hit during travel or adjustments and cause the flash to pop open.  While the flash appears sturdy, it isn’t going to hold up for too long if open and thrown loose into a backpack or other travel pack. The Sanyo Xacti HD1 has positioned many of its essential ports on a docking station and, while this definitely helps slim the camcorder down to a more portable size, it does also mean that transferring footage to laptop or television will require this accessory. An alternate and far smaller option is a plastic adapter with a DC IN and USB port: the adapter's small size makes it useful for quick on-the-go transferal, but also renders it easy to lose.

LCD/Viewfinder (4.5)
The LCD on the Sanyo Xacti HD1 is actually not an LCD at all but rather an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). The OLED employs an electroluminescent emissive organic layer, which has a polymeric structure that is printed in rows and columns to produce OLED displays. OLEDs cost less to install and consumes less battery life than an LCD, as the display doesn't require backlighting. However, its material is more susceptible to water damage.

The 210,000 pixel, 2.2 inch OLED is positioned on the left side of the camcorder body and flips upwards from a hinge located along its top edge. Once flipped upward, the OLED can be rotated 270 degrees for optimal viewing. This display is the only viewing monitor available: the petite size of the camcorder body makes a viewfinder impossible.

Battery Life (6.7)
The Sanyo Xacti ships with the DB-L40 battery. This battery is rated (according to the manual) for 60 minutes of HD-SHQ quality video. We tested this battery by shooting continuously with the LCD open and the manual controls in auto. When the SD card was filled,  we plugged in the DC power, erased the footage, and started again. In total, the battery lasted 67 minutes and 30 seconds.

The battery design is closed, which is a serious detriment to shooting time, convenience, portability, and the all-important (though not scored) frustration factor. A non-expandable battery means that you will not be able to purchase a long life battery. You can always buy a second model of the DB-L40, but that's one more thing to carry and one more thing to lose.