Sanyo VPC-HD1 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 7, 2006 10:00 PM

Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use
 Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
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Handling
The handling of the Xacti HD1 suffers from the same problems that the Fisher FC1 did, though it’s not quite as bad. The Xacti HD1 largely features an identical design to the Fisher, which may contribute to some gnarly motor noise; however, some alterations have been made. The main one is the move of the flash from a built-in place on the front of the camcorder to a flip-out compartment on the top. Overall, the Xacti HD1 feels a lot sturdier than the Fisher too, featuring a lot less plastic and a lot more metal. The zoom toggle is than the Fisher, a lot worse than many much much much cheaper camcorders.


The Sanyo's battery

LCD/Viewfinder
The Xacti HD1 features a 2.2-inch Organic Light-Emitting Diode Display (210K pixels). It has four levels of brightness and can rotate 285 degrees. This is a slightly bigger display than the Fisher FC1's (1.5”). This new verbiage ("Organic") surrounding the screen is hard to place. They’re saying it offers a clearer picture and that “Trademark features of OLED display technology are expanded viewing angles and up to 5,000 times faster response speed when compared with conventional display technologies, enabling smooth playback of rapid movements.” We’ll see. There is no viewfinder.







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