HD Camcorders (Sanyo Xacti HD1a)
Posted: October 2, 2006, 3:33 am
Man, I've been out of the loop on these things. The last camcorder I bought was in the 80's.
I was listening to one of my weekly pod/zencasts (can we just call them zencasts from now on since the Apple fags are trying to trademark "podcast"?) and heard a review of the new Sanyo Xacti HD1a HD camcorder.
Good lord, this thing is super tiny and records 1280x720 HD video onto solid state media (standard SD Cards)
A quick listing of it's capabilities:
I paid $1,500.00 for a Super Eight Sony Camcorder back in the 80's. This one is 699.00, with cheaper prices if you look around, and is like alien technology compared to my first camcorder.
With 2GB SD cards ~50.00, you can get ~40 minutes of HD quality film or some ridiculous amount of 5.1 megapixel still shots on one card. But, with 4GB and 8GB cards being introduced and dropping in price, the recording capability gets even more amazing.
If you read the extensive review here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/hd1a.html
you can see multiple images and a 3D view of the camera and how simple it is to operate.
Being that the camera has solid state recording, the warm up time is 1.7 seconds and then you're off to the races recording or taking pics. I'd still be looking for the power button on my first camcorder in that time. No moving parts means longer battery life as well which typically plagues camcorders. On-Screen display is straight forward and clear.
For 699.99, having a super tiny (with image stabilization tech) HD camcorder combined with a 5.1 MP still picture camera with easy one handed operation and on-the-fly movie/still switching capabilities, I'm tempted to buy one even though I have much use for it. As much as I hate family photos/movie taking, this camera being so simple....hmmm, I figured it out for myself. Merry XMas dad.
When it comes to cameras, both still and movie, I know from experience that they don't get used unless, a) they're small, b) they are quick and easy to use, c) it's easy to play the images/movies quickly on any TV while travelling, d) it's easy to transfer the images/movies to your PC. This camera seems to combine high quality (HD/5.1mp), ease of use, size, and ease of transfer. Nice.
I was seriously considering a third 24" monitor as my next purchase but may pick up one of these instead. My two home theater projectors are both Sanyo and I've been impressed with the brand over the past few years.
Not having been active in this tech area, I'd be interested in others comments about their camcorders and recent digital cameras.
I was listening to one of my weekly pod/zencasts (can we just call them zencasts from now on since the Apple fags are trying to trademark "podcast"?) and heard a review of the new Sanyo Xacti HD1a HD camcorder.
Good lord, this thing is super tiny and records 1280x720 HD video onto solid state media (standard SD Cards)
A quick listing of it's capabilities:
They key things that caught my eye on this camcorder was the lack fo moving parts, HD quality, and extreme ease of use.Xacti HD1a Features:
Compact, thin (1.4 inches) and durable metal alloy body
5.1-megapixel CCD imager with 10.2-megapixel interpolated mode
10× optical zoom lens with 38-380mm 35mm equivalent coverage
Digital image stabilizer for shake-free movies and stills
16:9 (3.8MP) still mode as well as widescreen video format (HD-SHQ / HD-HQ modes)
True 720p HDTV (1280x720) MPEG-4 movies @ 30fps with stereo audio
640x480 MPEG-4 movies @ 60fps or 30fps with stereo audio
320x240 "Web-SHQ" video mode; optimal for playback on many personal media players
Capture hi-resolution 5MP still images during movie recording
Automatic macro focus switching, Super Macro as close as 1cm
Wide viewing angle 2.2" color monitor, swivels 285°
Advanced TTL 5-point autofocus system with manual focus option
Program Auto, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual and 6 Scene modes
3-shot Sequential and 3-frame AE Bracketing modes
Voice recorder function: 33+ hours recording time with 2GB SD card
Evaluative metering on focus point, Center-weighted and Spot options
White Balance: Automatic, 5 presets or Custom
Talking Navigation Guide is helpful for first-time users
Color filters: Cosmetic, B&W, Monochrome, Sepia
ISO speeds: 50-400 still image, 200-1600 in movie mode
Built-in stereo microphones and speaker
Popup flash with red-eye correction mode
HD Component, S-Video and Composite video outputs
Secure Digital/SDHC memory card storage
Multifunction Docking Station and wireless remote control
High-capacity rechargeable Li-ion battery
Padded carrying case included
Exif Print, Print Image Matching III and PictBridge Compatible
USB 2.0 high speed plug-n-play connectivity for PC and Mac
I paid $1,500.00 for a Super Eight Sony Camcorder back in the 80's. This one is 699.00, with cheaper prices if you look around, and is like alien technology compared to my first camcorder.
With 2GB SD cards ~50.00, you can get ~40 minutes of HD quality film or some ridiculous amount of 5.1 megapixel still shots on one card. But, with 4GB and 8GB cards being introduced and dropping in price, the recording capability gets even more amazing.
If you read the extensive review here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/hd1a.html
you can see multiple images and a 3D view of the camera and how simple it is to operate.
Being that the camera has solid state recording, the warm up time is 1.7 seconds and then you're off to the races recording or taking pics. I'd still be looking for the power button on my first camcorder in that time. No moving parts means longer battery life as well which typically plagues camcorders. On-Screen display is straight forward and clear.
For 699.99, having a super tiny (with image stabilization tech) HD camcorder combined with a 5.1 MP still picture camera with easy one handed operation and on-the-fly movie/still switching capabilities, I'm tempted to buy one even though I have much use for it. As much as I hate family photos/movie taking, this camera being so simple....hmmm, I figured it out for myself. Merry XMas dad.
When it comes to cameras, both still and movie, I know from experience that they don't get used unless, a) they're small, b) they are quick and easy to use, c) it's easy to play the images/movies quickly on any TV while travelling, d) it's easy to transfer the images/movies to your PC. This camera seems to combine high quality (HD/5.1mp), ease of use, size, and ease of transfer. Nice.
I was seriously considering a third 24" monitor as my next purchase but may pick up one of these instead. My two home theater projectors are both Sanyo and I've been impressed with the brand over the past few years.
Not having been active in this tech area, I'd be interested in others comments about their camcorders and recent digital cameras.