Sanyo's XACTI DMX-HD800: the best gets better

Step aside HD700, Sanyo just replaced you with its DMX-HD800 720p camcorder. According to Akihabara News who is attending the launch event, the HD800 features a "HUGE step forward in video quality" coupled with reduced noise thanks to Sanyo's 3DDNR filter. Spec-wize, we're looking at an 8.0 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor, SD/SDHC support, 5x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, face tracking, and easier to use drag-and-drop to pull AVC/H.264 video from the camera to your PC. We'll have to wait for the reviews to know for sure but it looks like Sanyo just made one of the best 720p camcorders even better. On sale in Japan on August 22nd for ¥50,000 (about $463).

[Via Impress]

[Techie @ Jul 30th 2008 2:51AM]

I hope they have a different color than hot pink. Does anyone know when it's coming to the US?

[Uchiha Sasuke @ Jul 30th 2008 3:33AM]

Check the link, it will be available in gold, pink and the usual black.

[Techie @ Jul 30th 2008 3:52AM]

Thanks*** I might get the black one unless they have it in blue or white but seriously who wants a gold cam cam?

[Wwhat @ Jul 30th 2008 8:22PM]

Gold looks good on people with some skin color going, and is popular with rich arabs too so you got some corners covered with a gold version.
And since so many devices are cheap grey fake silver I don't think one can complain about gold really.

[chris @ Jul 30th 2008 3:13AM]

i think you're missing a right after the picture, but i may be mistaken.

[chris @ Jul 30th 2008 3:13AM]

well i guess the posts don't support even naming html tags...what i meant to say was you're missing a new line < . br . > after the picture...but it's no big deal

[Sparta @ Jul 30th 2008 3:20AM]

Cool, I've been hoping for something better than what's currently available to come around. This may be it.

What's with the "Release August 22, 2006" translation?

[the006iceman @ Aug 5th 2008 3:27AM]

I hate these stupid translations and even more so the fact that there is an English release available that the guys at Engadget could be using at:

http://www.sanyo.com/news/2008/07/30-1en.html

If you take the pictures and stuff from Impress, at least put a link to the source, so it will make sense.

[the006iceman @ Jul 30th 2008 3:33AM]

The colors for this are gold, pink and black.

[neofolklore @ Jul 30th 2008 7:37AM]

check out the depth of field, the camera they used to take a picture of that camera with is better than the camera they're selling

[vander @ Jul 30th 2008 3:34AM]

The only thing that would make it sweeter was if it was waterproof to 1.5m like my Xacti CA65.

[eduborg @ Jul 30th 2008 4:01AM]

OMFG! I've just buyed the HD700 ;/

[w00t @ Jul 30th 2008 7:30AM]

Quick! Take it back!
You'll be able to afford English lessons! ;)

[ishism @ Jul 30th 2008 2:21PM]

LMFAO

[Musouka @ Jul 30th 2008 4:33AM]

Still no Optical Image Stabilization? C'mon Sanyo... it is about time.

[ishism @ Jul 30th 2008 2:26PM]

I never thought I'd see the day when Sanyo was considered good. Let alone, "one of the best".

[JohnPombrio @ Jul 30th 2008 8:58PM]

Yeah, Image Stabilization is a must in these palm sized guys..

[chef @ Jul 30th 2008 5:53AM]

I never thought I'd see DMX in hot pink.

[B @ Jul 30th 2008 6:36AM]

Looks cool !, somehow like the Metal Gear Mk.II !

[Kári Rafn @ Jul 30th 2008 6:40AM]

It looks like an electric shaving machine ...

[Langdon Alger @ Jul 30th 2008 10:53AM]

It looks more like a star trek phaser or a gun to me (perhaps it's a good thing the viewfinder is hot pink and not gun metal gray). Can you imagine going to a political rally and pulling that out "Mr President, look over here!" ... followed by a barrage of bullets!

[Liam @ Jul 30th 2008 8:06AM]

Looks like a gay tazer

[LloydChiro @ Jul 30th 2008 11:15AM]

fabulous.

[ishism @ Jul 30th 2008 2:22PM]

LC, LMFAO

[Wil @ Jul 30th 2008 8:26AM]

Just so long as it does not use AVCHD, im happy!

[ishism @ Jul 30th 2008 2:24PM]

so what is avc/h.264? seriously, not trying to clown.

[karmaghost @ Jul 30th 2008 6:51PM]

the HD700 is currently running a little over $500 on Amazon.com, so I doubt it will debut here for $463. I realize that it's an estimate from the conversion of yen to dollars, but still.

[Aaron @ Aug 1st 2008 11:43PM]

Does anyone know if you can record with the viewfinder closed?

(I skydive & ride dirt bikes & would like to attach this to my helmets)

thanks

[bram @ Aug 4th 2008 7:05AM]

Nice thingy but its not for left handed people :-(

[the006iceman @ Aug 5th 2008 3:22AM]

The camera does not record with the viewfinder closed. It goes into 'Stand-by' mode.
You could attach it to the helmet on the left side, so the viewfinder can hang out a little without hitting the helmet--although I think that for that type of activity Sanyo's CA8 would be more appropriate (though not HD).

AVC/H.264 is simply a codec that is used for recording. It allows higher quality video to be stored in smaller data space compared to the traditional AVC codec. It does not imply HD, but simply the name of the codec, as it is used on other Sanyo standard def cameras.

[John @ Sep 13th 2008 1:46PM]

When will this be released in the US? I still cannot find it on Amazon and I am reluctant to purchase through Ebay (could be different versions for different regions, etc)...