Sanyo unveils smallest-ever wide 1080i camera
updated 10:35 am EDT, Thu August 30, 2007
Sanyo Xacti HD1000
Sanyo today claimed to set records with the Xacti HD1000, its newest and most powerful compact camera. By producing a new processor that consolidates the work of two chips into one, the company has produced what it says is the world's smallest camera that can encode widescreen 1080i video; the main body is barely larger than its 10X lens and includes a swiveling, 2.7-inch LCD that tucks into the handle to save space. This resoltution comes without sacrifices, Sanyo boasts: the camera records at 60 frames per second and can take 4-megapixel still shots in the middle of video capture.
Other new touches include a Face Chaser mode that keeps people in focus similar to the face detection of still cameras, a fast start that readies the Xacti for video in as little as two seconds, and a manual mode that allows fine-tuning of aperture, exposure, shutter speed, and color correction. Media is recorded in AVC (H.264) video to SDHC cards rather than tape, assisting the fast start and generating large amounts of video with a small footprint. An 8GB card will hold 85 minutes of maximum-resolution HD and 5 hours, 14 minutes of standard NTSC video, Sanyo estimates.
The camera will also be one of the least expensive HD cameras available when it ships in September, selling for $800 without bundled memory but including copies of Nero 7 Essentials and Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 SE to help Windows users play and author movie projects.
...and
08/30, 11:54am reply
...and what eXacti does this have to do with Macintosh, Apple, iPods, iPhones or anything else except of course to promote sister-site electronista!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Think about it
08/30, 12:09pm reply
feathers:
Ever heard of this app called iMovie?
MacNN has been doing this for years - to me, it just looks like Electronista lets them cover a lot more in a given day.
Commodus
Mac Elite
Joined: Feb 2002
LCD flip out
08/30, 12:33pm reply
how does one look at the lcd at that angle?
ydnar1
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 1999
LCD angle
08/30, 01:39pm reply
One looks straight at it, from any angle. Like virtually every camcorder with a flip-out LCD, this one too swivels in every direction, so you can shoot overhead, below waist, from the floor, from in front of the lens, and every concievable position, as long as you can see the LCD. Just turn it around so it faces you directly.
I have seen some well-lit footage on their previous HD model (HD2); at 720p, it is remarkably good for compressed video (AVCHD). The old one retails for about $550, which is a lot of Hi-Def for so little cash. This one promises even higher resolution, although I'm not sure if it will improve on the low-light conditions over the old one (which was quite disappointing).
With some old plasma 1080 TVs down to under $500, one could easily put together a HD setup for home videos for under $1,300. A few years back, you would spend as much for a MiniDV camcorder and a decent-sized tube TV.
Gotta love the technology...
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
how about QUALITY?
08/30, 01:54pm reply
s*** form factor and features are obviously big draws, but what about quality? Reviews of previous HD Xacti models suggest that the video they produce may indeed be hi-def, but is a bit noisy and doesn't look terribly good. What is the quality of the optics? How speedy and robust is the circuitry? Consumers in general need to recognize that there is a lot more to a camera or camcorder than basic specs about resolution, zoom, and clever software.
notehead
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001