Sanyo Xacti VPC-C6 Review

The C6 features an internal 5x optical zoom lens with a 38mm-190mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and a maximum aperture of f3.5-f/4.7. This is an all-glass lens constructed of 12 lenses in 9 groups with 3 aspheric elements. It has an internal ND (neutral density) filter.

The TTL contrast detection autofocus system automatically selects one of five focus areas with a selectable Spot (center only) focus mode. It features continuous area focus with a manual focus option with 15 steps.

The focus mode can be selected from:

• Total - automatically covers normal and macro range / 3.94 inches (10cm) to infinity in Wide, 31.5 inches (80cm) to infinity in Telephoto
• Standard - 31.5 inches (80cm) to infinity
• MF - 15 steps from 0.39 inches (1cm) to 26.25 ft. (8m)
• Super Macro - covers 0.39 to 31.5 inches (1cm to 80cm) in Wide only.

The Motion Compensation (image stabilizer) has two modes of operation; Mode A and Mode B.   Both modes are digital, what this means is that a certain portion of the outer edge of the image is lost during the image stabilization process.

Mode A (movie mode) does not have an onscreen indication, during still image mode you will notice the live view shows less than when the shutter is half-pressed. The live view represents the actual frame area that will be captured. Mode B (photo mode) displays a visible border on the LCD to show the capture area.

The built-in speedlight has modes for: Auto, Forced Fill-in and Forced Off. The maximum working range is very limited at approx. 6 ft in wide angle and 4 ft. in telephoto at ISO auto. The flash output reduces nicely for macro exposures but is disabled when the Super Macro mode is selected. There is no red-eye reduction flash mode but there is a red-eye correction function in Play mode.

On the back of the LCD is the speaker and the two stereo microphones.

Controls: On the side is the main power button which is visible once the LCD is opened. On the back are two shutter releases, the left one is for taking still pictures, the right one is for taking movies. Between them is the zoom lens control which functions as the magnify and index buttons in review mode. The REC / PLAY switch controls the operational mode of the camera. The 4-way controller is for navigating menus and selecting images in review mode. Press it straight in to accept menu selections. In record mode press "up" to activate AF Lock, press "down" to change focus mode, press "left" to change flash mode and press "right" to adjust exposure compensation. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system.

On the bottom is the docking port which can be fitted with this adapter that allows connection of the A-V output cable (stereo audio, S-Video and RCA video), the Digital cable (USB 2.0 high speed compliant and PictBridge direct-print compatible) and the input jack for the AC power adapter.

When the camera is in its docking cradle, the A-V, USB and power cables are plugged into the back of the cradle. When connected to a TV set, the included remote control (see below) can be used to control playback from across the room in your favorite easy chair.

Accessories included: An infrared remote control which can be used when the camera is in the docking cradle. The remote has a maximum range of 7 meters and must be used within 15° of the centerline of the infrared receiver on the front of the dock. The custom-fitted leather carrying case will protect your camera when it's not being used.

The Xacti C6 stores its data on removable Secure Digital cards, we tested the C6 with the Patriot 2GB SD card.  Note that Sanyo specifies the use of SD cards only.

11/6/2006: Sanyo has now posted a SDHC firmware update for the C6 that will let it use the new 4GB, 8GB SDHC cards.

We have an ongoing thread on our Forums about which larger, non-SDHC SD cards work and don't work in the C6 and C5. It looks as if some of the faster cards don't work so check the Sanyo forum before buying a fast SD card.

Storage Capacities (approx.)

• The maximum continuous shooting time at TV-S is 5 hours 30 minutes. The maximum continuous shooting time at Web-HQ and Web-S is 7 hours.
• Up to 13 hours of continuous audio recording is possible

The C6 is powered by a proprietary DB-L20 3.7v 720mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery. Up to 140 images can be captured (CIPA standard) in still image mode or up to 60 minutes of TV-SHQ video can be recorded per charge. Or a total playback time of up to 150 minutes.

This same DB-L20 battery has been used in all the Sanyo media cameras that we have seen so far (VPC-C1, C4 and C5.)

The battery is automatically charged whenever the camera is placed in the included docking cradle. Sanyo notes in the user manual that this cradle can NOT be used with the C5 camera and that the C6 camera can't be used in the C5's cradle. (Just FYI if you happen to own both cameras)

The optional AC Adaptor Battery Charger allows you to charge a second battery out of the camera. This was included standard with the C5 and C4 but it's now an optional purchase.