Amazon sells Sanyo Xacti HD1010 4MP MPEG4 High Definition 1080i/1080p Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom for $349 with a free Polaroid PoGo Printer. Also there is a special offer to get free 7 x 9-inch Photo Book.
The reviews looks good and other places its sold for above $600.
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posted: Sep. 21, 2009 @ 1:10a
PikaGiggles
Senior Member
posted: Sep. 21, 2009 @ 1:56a
So tempted. I've been eying this for a while now. They were at least $600 when they first came out. The problem is that there is a newer, better model out which is probably why this is so cheap now. My biggest concern with this camera is the still photo quality. The comparison shots of the new model and this model clearly show the newer model as being better. I have an old Canon S400 that I love. It may be old, but I think it takes great pictures. If this Sanyo takes pictures just as nice, I'd be sold. Unfortunately, I'll never know. Anyone have experience with the still photos on this?
goldengun
Addicted Member
posted: Sep. 21, 2009 @ 3:26a
you should not expect quality photos for this camcorder with a small CCD. photo is just a plus with video feature.
CAMCORDERINFO rated the HD1010 very highly...just slightly below the new model. What separates both models from cheap $500 and under HD camcorders are their very large CCD imagers. These physically larger chips (and larger lenses) do for a video camera the same thing large chips do for digital SLR still cameras, gives you much better low light performance (like indoors) and better quality overall.
Rated in their rankings this year, the Sanyo HD1010 would have come out about 7th, ahead of the Canon HF-s20. The new HD2000 model gives you better stills (it has twice the pixels). However, you need less than 3 megapixels for full HD1080 video....so the new model's chip is actually a small disadvantage for video(because each pixel is smaller, less sensitive).
It seems they used the extra pixels on the new HD2000 to improve anti-shake stabilization (which is not great on this one).
I picked up on this deal last week after reading the reviews...I owned other Sanyo's in the past, this is by far the best. I think the menu and controls are fine (camcorder info hated them). It's really sharp, bright, and like an SLR for indoor sensitivity. However, the pistol grip is not for everyone.
As for stills, I have not taken a lot, but would rate it not too different from the 4 mp Canon you now own).
I have been looking at the HD1010 for awhile, but concluded that the poor image stabilization is a killer for me. It is a shame since Sanyo has put innovative features in this camera, and their newer HD2000 and FH1 (multiple slow mo modes, 1080p @ 60fps) but without optical image stabilization the footage just isn't as good, and the software "deshakers" decrease the video quality. Fingers crossed that the next generation of Sanyos will have OIS.
This is a great deal. I had this HD1010 for a little while. Bought it on eBay for $585 minus 30% Live CashBack (miss those big CB so much).
Video quality is excellent, very close to a Canon HF100 I had before it. Battery life is also excellent, ~2 hours compared to Canon's dismal <1 hour. Personally I love the pistol grip in a camcorder, much more comfortable to hold to me.
In the end, I didn't use it all that much. Like many have already pointed out, the lack of optical stabilizer is a killer. At longer than ~4x zoom the handshake is unbearable. The bigger issue to me is its "wide" angle which starts at like 45mm. This is WAY too tight for taking videos in most interior spaces. I really don't understand why camcorders start at like 40mm for "wide".
When the HD2000 specs were revealed, I replaced the HD1010 with another digital camera, 720/30p, but starts at a W I D E 25mm (10x 25-250mm). I can fit twice as much into the frame, and no handshake issue with optical stabilization. Of course video quality is nowhere near the Sanyo. I was so disappointed Sanyo didn't address those 2 issues with the HD2000.
Great review, I agree with all of it. The criticisms of the current deal should be tempered with the great price. On a tripod, or low zoom and a steady hand, I do not think you can find anything close in terms of picture quality for the price.
There is a Sanyo semi-fisheye lens that is supposed to do a good job giving you a wider angle shot (Sanyo VCP-L04FU)...however, it costs $100 which negates the deal.
PikaGiggles said: So tempted. I've been eying this for a while now. They were at least $600 when they first came out. The problem is that there is a newer, better model out which is probably why this is so cheap now. My biggest concern with this camera is the still photo quality. The comparison shots of the new model and this model clearly show the newer model as being better. I have an old Canon S400 that I love. It may be old, but I think it takes great pictures. If this Sanyo takes pictures just as nice, I'd be sold. Unfortunately, I'll never know. Anyone have experience with the still photos on this?
Don't expect good still pics from camcorders. Better to grab a still from the video. If you need good stills, get a cheap compact digicam or a nikon d40 in addition to this.
In the end, I didn't use it all that much. Like many have already pointed out, the lack of optical stabilizer is a killer. At longer than ~4x zoom the handshake is unbearable. The bigger issue to me is its "wide" angle which starts at like 45mm. This is WAY too tight for taking videos in most interior spaces. I really don't understand why camcorders start at like 40mm for "wide".
It has to do with the camcorders being so small, so the sensors have to be even smaller, smaller sensors create a crop factor(just like with digital camera....e.g. a 50mm lens on a digital camera can be anywhere from 75mm-100mm depending on the crop factor).
PikaGiggles
Senior Member
posted: Sep. 21, 2009 @ 11:43a
Great info. I'm glad so this deal didn't get buried. I'm surprised that people are saying this has a really small sensor. I'll have to check the specs, but I assumed with the large lens that this one's sensor would be bigger than a typical point and shoot. Sigh. I guess I'll keep waiting for Canon to come out with a point and shoot with high speed video.
Actually just looked at the tech specs, and the sensor size does seem pretty big. However, if you look at the specs, it says 4mp STILL shots. You can get 10-12mp still shots with the cheap consumer digicams. Maybe just buy both
febdragon
Addicted Member
posted: Sep. 21, 2009 @ 12:20p
I also tried out this camcorder, considering how good the price is and has HD recording. Unforunately, the deal breaker for me was how slow it was to focus--thus in search of another. When zooming in, focus wasn't keeping up. One quick test is to have the camcorder focus on something, put your hand in front and remove and see how quick it can refocus. Regardless, the video quality was very good.
Am I wrong to think that the MPEG4 format is not compatible with the AVCHD SD card readers built into some TVs?
RIP
sarahbeachesva
New Member
posted: Oct. 5, 2009 @ 11:11a
asddsadsd
PikaGiggles
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 26, 2009 @ 12:43a
Just thought I'd revive this thread to say that Amazon thru JR has this camera for $319 now. I looked at the FH1 model pretty closely. That model is a generation newer than this and is in the standard camcorder (non-pistol) design, but the stills leave a bit to be desired. It's usable though. Overall, this and the FH1 are just a bit to bulky to replace my point and shoot. Anyone looking for a good HD camcorder with still picture capabilities should still seriously consider this camera though.
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