| Sanyo VPC-FH1A Full HD Video and 8 MP Digital Photos (Black) | 
| Brand: Sanyo
Category: Photography
List Price: $499.99
Buy New: $279.00
as of 9/5/2010 15:19 CDT details
You Save: $220.99 (44%)
In Stock
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 52
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 59.5
Minimum Focal Length: 5.95
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 2.1 x 2.3 x 4.1
MPN: VPC-FH1aBK
Model: VPC-FH1aBK
UPC: 086483075049
EAN: 0086483075049
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Features:
| • | Capture Full 1080p HD video (60fps) and up to 8-megapixel still photos | | • | 16x advanced zoom for video; 10x optical zoom for photos | | • | Face Chaser technology (can detect up to 12 faces for photos and videos) | | • | Built-in still photo flash; High-Speed Sequential Shooting (12fps) | | • | Compatible with iFrame video format |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Sanyo Xacti FH1 is truly the benchmark in high definition, offering 1920 x 1080 pixels, and 60 fields per second to record crystal clear and smooth motion for videos. This highly advanced dual camera not only offers the regular 1080i format, recording at 60 frames per second, but with the Sanyo proprietary CMOS engine, recording is possible in 1080p format - this means recording at a full 60 frames per second. With this higher frame rate capturing ability, videos look more professional, and offer smoother, higher quality images.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 25
 Best HD camcorder for the money April 9, 2010
Zhiyong Sun (Canada)
50 out of 52 found this review helpful
* Questions from the comments (I can't reply the post for some reason so I have to update the review here): No. An adaptor cable comes with the camcorder (one end goes to the camcorder, the other end connect the USB cable of your external drive). The drive has to be in FAT32 format (not NTFS, which is the current format standard for vista and win7 system). FAT32 is format for older windows. The limitation is file on it can not be larger than 4GB (this is why the sanyo camcorder can not record file larger than 4GB, though I don't know why you would have one file that large, not reliable at the first place). Also a note by a comment that the harddrive may have to be self-powered, according to the manual.
I have not actually used the Xacti library feature myself so please refer to the manual (a pdf file you can google) before you make up your mind.
===========================
I believe the FH1A is just the FH1 with the additional Apple iFrame video format (an odd format, smaller then 720p, so I doubt anyone would use it). So my review applies to the FH1 model as well. Btw, most of the camcorderinfo review on the VPC-HD2000 model applies to this one as well.
When this camcorder is on sale for $400 or below, it is certainly the best HD camcorder for the money.
Pros: -Many video resolution options, covering 1080p, 1080i, 720p, vga, and ultra-slow motion video. The 1080p (60fps progressive) is really detailed and smooth. I have read that someone may have problem playing back the 1080p video smoothly on an even quad-core windows (can be solved by choosing the right software). But video play back is quite good on my quad-core Mac (well it's an HP hackintosh).
-H.264 mp4 video format makes it very easy to work with, especially on Mac platform. Just copy the video onto the computer and you can start editing it in iMovie natively without converting, transcoding, etc. Saves tons of time. I have worked with 720p Motion Jpeg (MJPG) videos. Their quality is good but they waste too much disk space. The mp4 video from the sanyo has good compression without visible quality loss. Therefore, this camcorder should be at the top of one's shopping list if you are a Mac user.
-Excellent low light performance. Many camcorders/cameras suffer big time when shooting video at low light (such as in door at night with usual lighting). I have compared to 720p video my other camera, the video from the Sanyo is much cleaner.
-Comes with a lot of accessories (but as the video can be easily copied onto computer, one don't really need the video cables). Good build quality. Small but with large screen. Can be operated with just the thumb. Great battery life.
-Comes with remote controller, which is hard to find on even much more expensive camcorders.
-Great stereo sound quality.
-Can store video onto portable hard disk without using computers (Xacti library). This is a great feature as you can just bring a portable hard drive and the camcorder when traveling, off-load the videos when the card is full, and continue shooting. Portable HDD is cheap and can hold hours of videos. Without this feature, you either have to prepare multiple SD cards for the trip, or you have to pull out laptop from time to time.
-Ultra slow motion video, though at low resolution. It may be a gimmick for many but can be very useful and fun if you want to capture a special action.
-8M still photo. The quality is on par with most consumer level digital cameras (but a little over sharpened, nothing close to prosumer or DSLR quality).
Cons:-The only real complain I have is the lack of Optical Image Stabilization. It only has Electronic IS, which works a little when you are not moving the camera (the natural shaking of the hand can be countered). But as soon as you start walking, panning, anything involve intentional camera movement, the EIS has no use. For Optical IS, even some of those movement can be countered to certain degree so the end results are not as shaky. Anyway, good shooting techniques are always useful, and iMovie has a image stabilization function that can be applied on shaky video, and the results are pretty good (but time-consuming). I wish Sanyo could bring OIS to their next generation camcorders.
-The menu is just OK. Not really up to current standard. I've seen much better executed animated menus on other cameras. Well they all do the similar thing but make you feel better. I don't think processing power of this camcorder is the problem, it's a lack of development in this regard. Due to a lock of buttons, one has to remember lots of settings if you want to make quick change. Good thing is that some frequently used function can be set as shortcut to the joystick.
-Only provided software for windows, not for Mac; However I doubt there are good alternative to iMovie on Mac (at this price point) so it's OK forgivable.
-Lack of parameter adjustments for video and photo quality. Just three options (normal, vivid, soft) and don't really make a difference. On my computer when playing back, just a tiny bit of increase in saturation brings the video to a better level. I wish I can shoot the video like that at the first place.
-I find it too dark to my taste when left as automatic exposure, especially indoor night shot. Therefore I customized the exposure compensation on the 4-way toggle, and raise the exposure by 0.3 or 0.6 before shooting.
Best HD camcorder for the money February 6, 2010
Evan F. Smith
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Forget all the negative reviews of this camera. For the money this camera can't be beat. It is easy to use and the HD and HR movies have incredible detail. Also, you only have to carry one camera since it takes pictures. Don't let the image fool you, this camera is very small! Also, the battery life is excellent. My dad has two newer HD Cannons and he said mine is better. Lastly, it works very well indoors. I would recommend a 16 GB chip as well, but an 8 GB chip will be sufficient for most people and will save money if your budget is tight.
Best Camera for the money April 19, 2010
C. Orlando
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Let me preface this by saying I am not a Professional. I do however take pride in my work as a hobbyist. I have had several cameras, and my specialty is dSLR's and still photography.
I was looking for a decent camera to shoot sports and this is it: 1080p at 60fps is perfect.
Yes the image quality is very good as good as if not better than anything I have seen under 1000.
Low-light is very good, although it has some trouble focusing while zooming in low-light.
Image Stabilizing is pretty good for a camera at this price, obviously its digital.
The camera is fast to turn on and start video/pics.
The camera is very small and portable, I can put it in cargo pants pockets
I love the fact that it is SD card with no hard drive
You can put the pics directly onto a flash drive w/o a computer (cam must be plugged in) This is great option to have
HDMI out is awesome as well.
Macro is very good for a camera this price.
I actually have no remorse in buying this camera and would have done it for 200 dollars more as well.
The 240fps is just a cool feature to have.
I use a monopod often, which, coupled with the digital image stabilization, works great.
Highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for anything under 1000.
Pleasently Surprised March 8, 2010
Neil Bruce Dinces (Rockland NY)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have learned that many computer related products promise , but don't deliver, or even worse create more problems. Not in this case. The product works very well with my imac. I did not have to load the software. I just take the SD card out and plug it into my i-mac and have a DVD movie made within twenty minutes. The picture is extraorinarily good. Of course, you must try and hold the camera steady, but you must do that with all HD video devices. If you are looking for a video a HD video to work with APPLE LOOK NO FURTHER.
VPC-FH1 Sample Video Clips January 2, 2010
Jay Steinbrecher (Southern California)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have owned the Sanyo VPC-FH1 for 6 months and have used it to shoot fast action sports at both 1080p and 720p with great success and results. The key is using a proper monopod for stability. I have also used this great little camcorder to shoot high-definition stock footage video to sell online.
There are 8 categories of Sanyo VPC-FH1 online preview clips at this Footageworks link:
[...]
All shot with the Sanyo VPC-FH1 Camcorder at 1920x1080p and made into mp4 files.
This Sanyo VPC-FH1 is a great camcorder and I recommend that you buy it. If you have any questions about the camcorder and need help, feel free to contact me directly.
-Jay
[...]
Sanyo VPC-FH1 HD 1080p Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 16x advance zoom (Black)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 25
| In Stock
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
