Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 Camcorder Review

Compression & Media Summary
• MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec is compatible with most software • Users can record either standard definition or high definition video • Memory card recording is portable and convenient • Doesn't include any editing software—built-in or external • Has some modest internal editing available in playback mode
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Compression (5.60)

All Sanyo camcorders, including last year's standard definition models, record in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec. This is essentially the same as the AVCHD codec, but without some of the additional constraints. Though the CG10 is technically a successor to the 2008 VPC-CG9, the CG10 features one prominent upgrade: it actually records 720p high definition video. The CG9 was a standard def camcorder.

Like the entire 2009 lineup from Sanyo, the CG10 records in HD, but gives the user additional flexibility by offering standard definition recording modes as well. The CG10 doesn't offer as many resolution and frame rate options as its big brother, the VPC-HD2000. (The HD2000 shoots full 1080p or 1080i video, includes two other HD modes, offers one standard def option, and gives you two slow-motion recording choices.)

Media (5.25)

The primary recording media for the VPC-CG10 is removable SD/SDHC memory cards. This is the main form of video storage for Sanyo's entire Xacti line. Though the more expensive VPC-HD2000 has no internal memory, the CG10—and its CG9 predecessor—have about 40MB of internal flash memory. This is, of course, a pittance, but it's enough to record a short minute or two of video while you scramble to replace your full memory card. 

The Sanyo VPC-CG10 records entirely to SD/SDHC memory cards.

Editing (6.00)

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 does not with any kind of traditional editing software. Most camcorders ship with a free software CD, but this software usually isn't anything impressive. The software that shipped with last year's Sanyo camcorders was certainly functional, but offered nothing that users couldn't do with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker.

What the CG10 does include is some limited internal editing, including a simple trim feature that allows you to shorten your recorded clip and save is as a new video or overwrite your previous clip. For still photo editing, you can also rotate and resize, but this feature isn't available for videos.

Sanyo is also pushing several other post-production features, such as uploading to YouTube and watching videos on your iPod. However, these are really just features taking advantage of the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec. The CG10 doesn't offer any options that help you in these processes, other than the online guide, called "Let's Shoot More Movies!"

This is in stark contrast to other inexpensive camcorders, like the Flip series from Pure Digital, the Kodak Zi6 and Zx1, and the Webbie HD models from Sony. These camcorders all offer built-in software that streamlines the editing and uploading processes.