Sanyo's 1080i camcorder with "Face Chaser" technology

Sanyo has launched its compact, lightweight Xacti HD1010, a full 1080i high-definition digital camcorder featuring "Face Chaser" face detection technology for both video and stills as well as a new slow-motion video mode at 60 fps and seven frames-per-second sequential shooting for action photography. The HD1010 features a 10x all-glass optical zoom, image stabilization, and a large 2.7-inch LCD; it takes 1920x1080 video at up to a slow-motion 300fps and 4-megapixel digital still images and records both to SD memory cards or SDHC cards up to 32GB.

The company's Detection and Face Chaser technology monitors the subject's face to adjust brightness and focus and can be used to recognize up to 12 faces at a time in both video and still photos. The Sanyo Xacti HD1010, will be available in the US in July 2008 for $800.

Designed for "single thumb" operation, the HD1010 weighs only 9.9 ounces (with battery and SD card) and relies on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression that enables up to approximately 87 minutes of 1080p video recording and supporting Wide Dynamic Range Mode for improved images in varying degrees of light and shade. In addition, the company claims that optimized signal processing brings better gamma correction and noise reduction for improved lens color-sensitivity and image quality when filming in darker locations.

Sanyo notes that the Xacti HD1010 enables simultaneous shooting of 4-megapixel still images and HD movie clips.

Users can easily view content on the TV with a built-in HDMI port and an innovative docking station provides a connection through an HDMI, component, composite or S-video connection to a TV, DVD player or a computer. The HD1010 also recharges its internal battery when nested in the docking station.

Other features include random access to each clip/photo, shooting in as little as two seconds, a 230,000 pixel LCD, in-camera editing, wind roar and red eye reduction, webcam functions and a built-in/pop-up flash.