Sanyo updates handheld HD camcorder - Xacti HD1a

Sanyo is yet again offering 720p quality in an extra-small package; their new Xacti HD1a handheld camcorder records in HD and pulls double-duty as a camera if you so desire. Sanyo kept the same 5.1 megapixel sensor from the HD1 and added some forgettable features in the refresh including a 16:9 still picture mode and in-camera editing capability, but did manage to up the ante by providing a 320 x 240 MPEG-4 recording mode ready-made to play on your iPod. The secret to keeping it compact is the usage of SD storage in favor of more traditional miniDV tapes; you can squeeze about 21 minutes of beautiful HD footage on a GB, or about an hour in SD quality if time becomes an issue. Weighing in at just 8.3 ounces, keeping the HD1a handy shouldn't be much of a burden, but there just isn't much new here to get excited about. For those who prefer form over function, you can pick this up for $699.99 in September.

[John Hughes @ Jul 14th 2006 8:51AM]

SD is the way to go. I can get 2Gb SD for $45.

[Jeffrey M Foster @ Jul 14th 2006 9:46AM]

$700 for a 720p videocamera doesn't seem like "Form over Function" to me...

maybe i haven't been paying attention, but isn't that a damn good price for an HD videocamera?

aren't the other 720p's starting at over $1k?

hm.

SD is also a good way to go. i'm glad to see it doing well.

[Ladderless @ Jul 14th 2006 9:49AM]

...And I just saw 4Gb for $69.

1 Gb is almost as inexpensive as a mini-DV tape (It's getting there!)

[XiozTzu @ Jul 14th 2006 9:51AM]

I have the first generation and it is great. Takes good HD video and the picture quality is better than my Cannon SD400. The SD cards are a great option because, in a pinch, I can swap them between the Sanyo and the Canon. The size and weight make it easy to take everywhere you go, allowing you to capture more ad hoc video.

I highly recommend it.

[Brad @ Jul 14th 2006 10:01AM]

XiozTzu

No problems with it in low light or on speed of focus? I really really want this camera but the reviews I saw (CNET and one other site I can't remember) made it appear that the camera mode was not that good due to slow focus and the video quality would be bad indoors unless it was almost professionally lit. Not your experience?

[Charles Taylor @ Jul 14th 2006 10:19AM]

Brad:

I have a coworker whose got this camera and a pro-level HD-cam. He says that while it's not great indoors, it's ok; he still loves it because it is exponentially smaller than his other HD solution. Personally I would snatch this up not just for the HD capability, SD is fine for me right now, but it's still one of the highest-quality and most compact SD recorders too!

[XiozTzu @ Jul 14th 2006 11:07AM]

Brad

Yes, low light is a problem, in HD mode. You just have to set up lighting before you start. Frankly, I didn't use it much indoors since I mostly use it for vacations.

Slow focus... well I didn't notice it but, I don't whip around while shooting video anyway and I haven't tried filming a sports event yet.

Again, I like it for the size and price. I am positive there are better quality cameras out there. I guess what I am trying to say is it is a good Value. I wouldn't have as much trouble replacing it in the future since I only invested $700. Also, I just found out you can get a macro and a telephoto lens for it. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EG4MCW/sr=8-2/qid=1152889562/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-2238695-3662507?ie=UTF8)

[jaysins @ Jul 14th 2006 1:45PM]

I've used this HD1 hooked up to a 720p tv and it looks absolutely horrible IMO. Go read some reviews beside cnet(I personally disagree with a lot of their picture assesments) and see how bad this camera got trashed. From my personal experience the picture was very noisy, lots of artifacts and most noticably the most overly saturated picture I've ever seen on anything period. I rather be looking at a SD picture on my tv than the the HD1. It was really that bad. But will all things electronic go try it out for yourself and demand the store let you hook it up to a hi-def tv and see for yourself.

[Cliksingles.com @ Jul 14th 2006 5:28PM]

Had one of the last gen of these. Was tolen from my pocket while on honeymoon in Paris. I had to buy a DAT based camcorder which turned out to have much better quality - the Xacti was OK but when I ended up putting everything into iMovie the DV stuff was soooo much better.

[chris @ Jul 14th 2006 8:13PM]

Gahhh!! I just bought this! Oh well.. i wonder if there is a firmware update that will be available?

[Karl Viklund @ Jul 15th 2006 10:28AM]

Haha that was an ugly piece of shit ^^

Sorry for that word but that must be the ugliest piece of electronic I ever seen... wow...

[Cristobal Negrete @ Sep 25th 2006 12:12PM]

The video quality might not be excellent, nor actually HD in anything but in paper, and yet it is still light years ahead of the quality you might get from any other SD based camcorder.

For everyday use (not filmmaking) it's an awesome camera, and as a gadget it's a major feat that this thing exists. That Sanyo supports and updates this product (HD1a is mostly an HD1 with a few quirks fixed) is applaudable.

[resource @ Sep 25th 2006 12:25PM]

Not that ugly.
We just need cheap 16 GB flash cards.

[John B @ Oct 16th 2006 4:26PM]

Just got one and a 4 GB SD card. An awesome little camera. The videos look great on my 26" LCD HDTV.

[kiwican123 @ Feb 19th 2008 1:22AM]

I have this camera and besides the low quality of stills in low light (which I think is particularly bad), my only other major complaint is on the battery life. I just brought a new battery double charged it before using it at all and I only get maybe 20 mins at most. it is terrible! i thought it was just a problem with the battery purchased with the camera but obviously not. The battery charges fully and shows as a full charge but then is discharged very quickly.

any one else had that problem.