Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 First Impressions Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Jan 17, 2007 2:00 PM
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Still Features
If there is one area that the VPC-HD2 shines, it's still photo mode. In fact, the impressive showing this “camcorder’s” predecessor put forth last year led us to suspect that it may in fact be essentially a still camera optimized for video. The VPC-HD2 captures stills in the following resolutions to SD/SDHC memory cards: 3680 x 2760; 3072 x 2304 at low and standard compression; 1600 x 1200; 1280 x 720; and 640 x 480 in both still and “sequential” modes. The 3072 x 2304 resolution is the only still resolution that includes two quality modes, with low compression yielding a better and less compressed image than standard compression.
Manual and automatic controls are available in video and still mode, including aperture, shutter speed, focus and focal options, exposure and metering, filters, scene modes, and image quality. Shutter speed benefits from some additional latitude in still mode, increasing from 1/30th for video to 4 seconds for stills in lamp mode. The VPC-HD2 also offers ISO settings of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and (pending verification by Sanyo) 1600. ISO is analogous to gain in video. Higher ISO ratings equate to greater light sensitivity, but also result in additional noise or “grain” in the image. With all the above options available, the HD2 is an unusually versatile video/still hybrid, rivaling some inexpensive still-only cameras for options and picture quality.
In addition to the options above, the VPC-HD2 includes a pop-up flash on top of the body. The flash can be set to automatic, forced flash, off, or red-eye reduction mode. Pressing the flash release after the flash is open toggles between flash modes. The VPC-HD2 also offers Sequential or burst mode, auto bracketing mode, simultaneous video and photo capture, and 2 second and 10 second timers.
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