Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000 Review

The HD1000 features an internal 10x optical zoom lens with a 38mm-380mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and a maximum aperture of f1.8 (Wide) to f2.5 (Telephoto). This is an all-glass lens constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups with 3 aspheric elements. There is a 10x digital zoom that extends the range to a total of 100x. At the bottom, you can also see the external Mic and Headphone jack compartment.

The optional Sanyo VCP-AL4049U lens adapter allows you to use 49mm filters such as polarizers, special effects, U/V or clear to protect the lens, and the HD1000 is also compatible with the Sanyo VCP-L07WU Wide, VCP-L04FU Semi-fisheye, and VCP-L16TU Telephoto conversion lenses.

The TTL contrast detection autofocus system automatically selects one of 9 focus areas with a selectable Spot (center only) focus mode. It also features a manual focus option.

The focus mode can be selected from:

• Total - automatically covers landscape, normal and macro range / 3.94 inches (10cm) to infinity in Wide, 3.28 ft. (1m) to infinity in Telephoto
• Normal - 31.5 inches (80cm) to infinity
• Super Macro - covers 0.39 in. to 3.28 ft. (1cm to 1m) in Wide only.

The manual popup speedlight has modes for: Auto, Forced On, Forced Off and Red-Eye reduction. Pressing the flash button not only pops the flash up, but also changes the desired mode. The HD1000 also features a flash hot shoe that is hidden under a plastic panel directly behind the built-in popup flash (not shown). This allows you to use optional external flash units to extend the flash capabilities of this model.

The working range of the internal flash is:

• 20cm - 6m (7.87 in. - 16.69 ft.) [Wide], 1 - 5m (3.28 - 16.40 ft.) [Tele]

Controls on the back: At the Top is the Full Auto mode button, Next, there are two shutter releases, the left one is for taking still pictures, the right one is for recording movies. To the left if 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 MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system. The 4-way controller is for navigating menus and selecting images in review mode. Press it straight in to accept menu selections. You can choose which functions are activated by pressing "up", "down", "left" or "right" via the Setup menu.

Located around the shutter releases, there is a circular multi-indicator that will light or flash depending on different camera operations. See the chart above.

Controls on the side: The main power on/off button.

The included cradle handles all input and output on the camera, as well as charging the battery. The HDMI, Component AV, USB, and AC power adapter are plugged into the back of the cradle. The high-speed USB 2.0 cable (with adapter) can be connected to Windows or Mac computers for fast downloads or directly to any PictBridge compatible photo printer.

The supplied infrared remote control can be used when the camera is in the docking cradle or on a tripod as the receiver is built into the camera. It controls both record and playback functions.

The Xacti HD1000 stores its data on removable Secure Digital cards up to 4GB and SDHC cards with capacities of 4GB and 8GB. The camera has no internal memory and does not come with an SD card.

Storage Capacity

Note:

• The maximum video clip continuous recording times is approx. 5 hours 30 minutes at the WEB-SHQ setting.
• Up to 13 hours of continuous audio recording is possible.
• When recording a video clip using an 8GB card, recording terminates when the size of the file currently being recorded reaches approx. 4GB.
• The above values apply when an SD Memory Card by Sandisk is used.
• Even with cards of the same capacity, the amount of data that can actually be stored may differ depending on the card brand, etc.
• The continuous shooting time for each video clip will differ depending, for example, on the card capacity, environmental conditions (temperature and shooting conditions, etc.).

The HD1000 is powered by a proprietary DB-L50 3.7v 1900mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery.

Battery Life (approx.)

The HD1000's internal battery is automatically charged whenever the camera is placed in the included docking cradle.

Sanyo also supplies this handy carrying case to help protect the HD1000.