Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the Xacti E1

Sanyo introduced the world's first waterproof camcorder back in 2007, the SANYO Xacti E1. Ideal for active families, vacationers and water sports enthusiasts, the ultra-compact E1 can record high-quality video and 6- megapixel stills under water to a depth of five feet for up to one hour at a time.

The E1 shoots TV-quality MPEG-4 video and utilizes the state-of-the-art Advanced Video Codec AVC/H.264. Incorporating a special Qpixel brand H.264 chipset, the E1 delivers a significant 25 percent reduction in video file size, along with improved video quality versus traditional MPEG-4 recordings. Completely "tapeless," the device records both video and still images to a standard SD memory card or high-capacity SDHC card. Users can record a phenomenal 10 hours of full-motion 640 x 480 pixel, 30 frames-per-second video on a single 8-gigabyte SDHC memory card (not included). Once recorded, both video and still images can be easily uploaded and viewed on a PC or Mac, personal media player such as the iPod, or shared on the internet via a video or photo sharing Website.

Improved 9 pixel-mixing technology allows video to be shot even in darker places, such as indoors during a party. When using the "Automatic" setting, subjects may be recorded in light as low as 7 lux, and when using the "Lamp Mode" setting found in the "Scene Select" function menu, the frame rate will be automatically adjusted, enabling subjects to be recorded even in 2 lux low-light environments.

The included CD-ROM Software Pack features Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 for Windows XP/Vista, Adobe Photoshop Album starter edition, QuickTime 7.1, iTunes 7.1 and Xacti Screen Capture for Windows. For Mac OS X customers, Sanyo recommends using iMovie and iPhoto.

Xacti E1 Features:

• Compact, thin (1.6 inches) and lightweight (7.7 oz) body
• JIS Class 8 Waterproof design, submersible to a depth of 5 feet for up to 1 hour
• 6-megapixel imager with 10-megapixel interpolated mode
• 5× optical zoom lens with 38-190mm 35mm equivalent coverage
• Digital image stabilizer for shake-free movies
• 16:9 (3MP) still mode and MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) movies (640x480, 30fps) with stereo audio
• Capture hi-resolution 6MP still images during movie recording
• Video correction: Anti-Shake Digital Image Stabilizer, Flicker reduction and Wind noise reduction
• Voice recorder function
• Total focus mode with Auto Macro to 10cm (4 in.), Super Macro as close as 1cm (0.4 in.)
• Wide viewing angle 2.5" color monitor, swivels 285°
• Advanced TTL 9-point autofocus system with manual focus option
• Program Auto and 7 Scene modes
• Evaluative metering: Multi, Center-weighted and Spot options
• White Balance: Automatic, 4 presets or Custom
• Talking Navigation Guide is helpful for first-time users
• Digital filters: Cosmetic, Monochrome, Sepia
• ISO speeds in Still mode: Auto 50-200, Manual 50 - 1600
• Built-in stereo microphones and speaker
• Popup flash with red-eye correction mode
• 18MB of Internal flash memory
• Card slot for optional SD/SDHC memory card storage
• High-capacity rechargeable Li-ion battery and portable AC charger
• 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

The SANYO Xacti E1 ships with a USB Cable, AV Cable, Battery Charger, Li-ion Battery Pack, Soft Case, Hand Strap, and Software Pack CD-ROM.

With a versatile Waterproof and stylish body, the SANYO Xacti E1 is available now at an MSRP of US$499.99. See our buy box below for current pricing and online vendors.