Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on May 10, 2007 12:00 PM
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Sanyo chiseled out a unique niche for itself when it introduced the VPC-HD1 last year as the smallest and cheapest HD-capable camcorder available at the time, capable of recording both 720p video and 10MP stills. The VPC-HD2, introduced at CES 2007, adds a higher-resolution 7-plus MP imager and better low-light performance, according to Sanyo - but it is also no longer the only sub-compact HD device in town. Canon's PowerShot TX1, shares a similar feature set, but is marketed as a digital still camera that happens to record 720p video. The fact that these devices really are direct competitors - one marketed as a camcorder (the VPC-HD2) and one as a digital camera (the TX1) speaks to the fact that they are the truest hybrids available. In addition, choices in the consumer HD camcorder market have expanded greatly since last year, and simply throwing in the term “high definition” is no longer enough to create a Pavlovian reach for the wallet. So, is the VPC-HD2 a good enough hybrid device to satisfy all your video and still photo needs? As you'll see, that depends entirely on how much performance, convenience, and compactness you demand from your MSRP of $699 camcorder.
The Front (5.0)
No, it’s not a flashlight—it’s the front of the HD2. This is a slim, compact camcorder. The minute lens has a focal length of 6.3mm-63mm (38mm to 380mm in 35mm equivalent), but there is no indication of the filter diameter. Nevertheless, it’s small and devoid of threads, quashing any hope of an add-on. Then again, try finding a filter that’s not bigger than the HD2 itself. Sanyo includes a flashy external lens cap that can be mounted to a small metal loop toward the bottom. The lens cap is tight and secure. Beneath the lens is the remote control sensor.
The Right Side (2.75)
This is the snub-nose pistol profile—making the HD2 look like a little camcorder gun. The right side is all about the battery. It actually resembles the back of a Blackberry or Nokia with a truncated lens barrel protruding from the side. The rectangular sliding door has a small tab in the upper right corner that, when shifted to the left, opens the battery compartment. About the size of an old Motorola flip phone battery, the DB-L40 battery pack is slender and fails to emit a vibe of long-lasting endurance. At the top, there is a small, round enclosure housing the mic jack – an almost incongruous feature on such a compact model, but one we’re happy to see. To the right of the mic jack is the flash release button, which is fun to press repeatedly while waiting for that puny battery to juice up. Directly above the battery door tab is the playback speaker, which could fall victim to a good smothering, depending on how you grip the HD2.
The right side with LCD closed (left) and LCD open (right)
The Back (5.25)
Home to the HD2’s cluster of controls, the back is a solid design that takes ease of use into account. The HD2 offers a rear-mounted joystick. More advanced camcorders like the Canon HV20 and Panasonic HDC-SD1 also have a joystick, though with far better handling. The cylindrical nub on the VPC-HD2 is bulkier than most joysticks, but it’s quite a challenge to make it do what you want . For instance, it’s quite hard to press the joystick inward to confirm a selection without hitting left, right, up, or down.
Up top, there are two silver half-moon shaped buttons that act as bookends to the centralized zoom slider. The photo capture button sits on the left while the video record start/stop button sits on the right. They feel cheap. The photo button jangles around, under the thumb, so lay off the latte and Redbull cocktails to avoid an inadvertent snap.
The zoom slider is a slider, controlled by the thumb. It lacks the fine control of a top-mounted zoom control. The tiny menu button is placed right next to the joystick for easy access. Beneath this administrative team is the rec/play switch, which allows you to shift between record and playback modes. Finally towards the bottom, a burly little plastic door swings open to reveal an SD card slot. Just make sure you close the door because there is no spring mechanism keeping it flush with the body.
The Left Side (2.75)
The left side of the HD2 will includes a 4:3 aspect 211,000 pixel LCD screen. A 4:3 screen looks out of place in the year 2007, especially because this is an HD camcorder. The LCD can be flipped out at a 90 degree angle to the camcorder’s body and rotate a full 270 degrees. The HD2’s built-in stereo microphone lives on the outside of the LCD screen, which is great if you don’t hold the LCD while shooting. It also means that the LCD must be angled toward the subject in order to pick up full audio, but the average point-and-shooter will never be able to find the microphone in the first place.
Within the LCD cavity, you’ll find the on/off button, which is embedded within the camcorder and is a bit of a pain to access. Once you first power on the HD2, you’ll be greeted by the voice of a woman who lives in the camcorder. Don’t speak back to her; it’s bad luck. Instead race through the menu to silence her, and your shooting experience will be vastly improved. To the right of the on/off button is the HD/Norm (standard definition) button. Swapping from format to format is that easy. The High Sensitivity button rests just below. This feature can only be used for still shooting.
The Top (3.5)
With only a flash to speak of, the top is the least enthralling part of the HD2. It’s a pretty decent flash, though, and it’s angled in such a way that is conducive to attaining even lighting. The flash pop-up button is located on the upper right side.
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