Sanyo's six megapixel Xacti E6

There are days when we tend to get all bleary-eyed from trying to make out the differences between ultraslim digital cameras, and while we can't vouch for the image quality of the Xacti E6, Sanyo's new six megapixel shooter, we do know that the 3-inch LCD they've strapped on the back is about as big as you're gonna get on an ultracompact camera. The E6 is just nine-tenths of an inch thick and also has the usual 3x optical zoom lens, six different scene modes, etc. etc. Should hit stores next month. At least in Europe.

[clicclic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I'd like to make a request:

Please do not tell us loser Americans about these great products we'll never be able to get. It's just too painful...

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Invariably, from these small pictures of the camera, I can already see faults in its design.

1. The flash is way too close to the lens. You're going to get red-eye shots and plenty of'em.

2. The 4-way rocker seems like it's too far out and you're going to get settings changed by accident. A button system or one that was more flush with the body would've been a better choice.

3. 3" LCD is great, but it's going to kill battery life and is probably too low-res to support that 3". The 2" LCD on the SD400 is pretty much standard at 118,000 pixels. I can't imagine the 3" with that resolution. It'd probably be only acceptable if it were twice that resolution.

4. Features are going to be buried in menus, but that's a sacrifice with ultra-compacts. Still, this one has even less external buttons than most ultra-compacts.

5. Personally, I don't like the zoom rocker. I like my Wide and Telephoto buttons horizontally oriented.

[Donnie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Too bad Americans can't get these easily. Over here Sanyo is more about cell phones and unexciting electronics mainly sold by Wal-Mart. This seems to end up like Hitachi, which have few exciting offerings.

[aprodite @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#1 & #3 If you really want to get one of these before they are available in the US, why not try http://www.buy-proxy.com where you can get someone based in europe to purchase on for you and send it over. They even have an escrow feature so you know your money is safe.

[mcdj @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Ironic that a digital camera would bear the same name as a slide film process.

[DM @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

That's one tiny flash....

[Photo John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I have never had a problem sourcing the Sanyo brand in USA check out http://www.oani.net they have been around for quite sometime and cater to full support of the line.

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

" 1. The flash is way too close to the lens. You're going to get red-eye shots and plenty of'em. "

Actually, the lens is kinda dug out into the camera so it has shelter from it.

I never get red eye shots with this camera, its a great camera i love it