Customer Reviews
Sanyo Xacti HD1 - POJ 
2008-02-25
I bought this camera one year ago just prior to one of my mountain climbing expeditions. I liked it for the lightweight and the HD performance. I bouth it from a shop in San Francisco and paid over $900.
I think this was the worst product I have ever purchased.
The camera did not make me any movie in the mountains (in any mountains, not just this one). Once at high altitude I felt so frustrated that almost threw it down from 15,000 ft. The snow in the high mountains and the strong sun completely incapacitate the camera, even at the lowest sensitivity and with strong ND filter. Because of the strong sun the LCD display is completely invisible to the operator, so I just shot and hoped that the camera will record something. The result is that I do not have any movie or any picture from the climbs. Everything became white during the day.
The camera is not recording anything sensible in the evenings either. It is not possible to accomodate to the contrast. Everything gets white or completely black.
Well, you may think that I am unexperienced photographer, but I have over 20 year experience on Photography. This is the worst I ever had.
I thought that al least I have e good camera for the normal conditions in the city. Another disapointment! First, before you can record any movie you have to spend several minutes to select the right settings. The camera is unfriendly and clumsy. There is no auto mode. Second, the HD feature is a pure BS. Any Canon camera, even the normal still camera makes better movies that this one. Xacti is ways too slow to adjust to the changing light conditions as you move the camera.
Well, you may think that at least it has 10Mp resolution when used as a still camera. Hah!!! The pictures you get with this camera are as good as the pictures you get with your cellphone. I haven't made any good still picture with this camera.
If you think that this is bad enough, wait for the rest. The reliability of this "HD thing" is really the worst. As I was making shots the camera shut down and could not be started anymore. I called Sanyo and they told me, that the camera is NOT under warranty (the warranty is only 90 days!!!). You have to send it somewhere to IL to a private repair shop. You pay for shipment, pay for evaluation, pay for the repair, pay for the shipment back. Totally I paid about $200. The evaluation showed that the camera has a burnt PCB. From WHAT? From a 3.7V 1A battery? The repair shop waited 3 weeks for Sanyo to send them only the spare part. Anyway, it took me over a month to get it back.
It is already 11 months since I have this camera and I am happy to dispose it.
I would rate this product zero stars, but the systems requires me to asign at least one star.
Worth every penny 
2007-12-14
I did quite a bit of research on the Sanyo Xacti and other waterproof digital video cameras. The choice was between the Sanyo, Olympus or the Pentax Optio.
I chose the Sanyo for its style, design and ease of operation.
I took the camera to Miami Beach and had a blast with it. I was not let down.
I had no problem hanging on to the Xacti even when knocked over by a wave. The quality of the video is suberb.The still images are razor sharp. The camera should be used on the highest quality setting for both still and video. I therefore suggest you buy the 4gb card.
The menu offers a large number of options for both video and still image.
Don't be intimidated by the size of the operators manual. Start with the 'Quick Start Guide' and gradually read about the other features.
The price of the camera varies from store to store. That should be your biggest problem with the purchase.
Sanyo Xacti HD2 
2007-11-27
This is a high quality camera that is not real easy to use. The docking station takes some effert to get a good connection, you just have to feel around until it is docked. The real disappointment is the software the camera linked with a touch of the button but after a week of trying I never did get a MP4 file to load into the computer. I was able load some files out of the camera with other software but not with the programs that came in the box. Where is their quality control? If the software had been of the same quality as the camera and the price had been $200.00 less, I would still have the camera.
Shady Deal 2007-10-23
The one star is a knock against the seller, Wall Street Photo, not the Sanyo Xacti.
I purchased through Wall Street Photo via Amazon at a good price and several days later the order was cancelled by Wall Street Photo.
Amazon customer service has informed me that Wall Street claims they are out of stock. This is clearly not the case because the product is listed as in stock with a steep price increase.
Better than expected! 2007-10-14
After having used DV tape for the past four years (Canon Elura), I wasn't expecting much with this Xacti HD1A but I was pleasantly surprised that many of the negative negative reviews posted here at Amazon weren't as bad as I thought. The fact is, your expectations have to be realistic -- DV tapes are (as David Pogue says) best for quality. But let me be honest -- quality is only one factor when choosing a camcorder for me. Rewinding is a hassle and the amount of time it took to get DV footage into my PC for editing got to be a real drag (it's in real time). With SD cards, I am burning DVDs in minutes for the grandparents, something that took me hours to do before. And believe me, grandparents aren't too concerned about the quality difference between this Sanyo and my old Canon! BTW, my Canon, which had many more moving parts, was in the shop at least once every six months. I've only had this Xacti for a week but I'm hoping that this won't be the case with this unit. So in short, unless you're shooting your first project for Sundance, you won't find anything this convenient. Believe me, I researched for four months before deciding that this HD1A was a keeper.
Great little HD camera 2007-09-06
Use the Sanyo VPC-HD1A Xacti Digital Movie Recorder to capture those precious moments and perfect events -- te ones you'll never want to forget. Record your own 720p MPEG-4 movies, with full 60fps fluid motion VGA-Size recording -- the best digital video you can get. With its Digital Image Stabilizer, you'll get shake-free video. You'll even record better audio with the Sanyo's built-in digital stereo recording. Choose from multiple Sequential Shooting modes, up to 10 photos at 5fps. Store all your digital video and photos to an SDHC memory card. The pop-up flash ensures a detailed, beautiful picture in low light or nighttime conditions. Digital Image Stabilizer (video only, not for stills) Exposure controls - Program AE, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual Sequential Shooting 6 photos at 5 fps ([5M] mode), 10 photos at 5 fps ([1.2M] mode) Scene Select Modes - Auto, Sports, Portrait, Night View, Landscape, Fireworks, Lamp, Cosmetic, Monochrome, Sepia 2/10 sec. self-timer Full auto TTL white balance Audio microphone Records to SD memory card, up to 4GB Interface AV output - component video/composite video/S-Video, NTSC/PAL, stereo audio USB 2.0 in high-speed mode Built-in monaural speakers (L/R mixed output) Interfaces with docking station or connecting adaptor Multi-Language Display supports 11 languages - Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Korean, Traditional and Simplified Chinese Power Source - Lithium-ion battery (DB-L40, included - 1200 mA), AC adaptor (VAR-G8, included) Battery life with stills - CIPA standard 170 images Battery life - video - 75 min. Battery life - playback - 220 min. Unit Dimensions(WxHxD) - 80 x 119 x 36 mm (excluding protrusions) Weight - Approx. 235 g (including battery and SD card)
Good All Purpose Camcorder 
2007-08-25
I bought the HD1A because I wanted to shoot High Def video. The video this camera shoots is definitely better than SD video, but it doesn't look like broadcast HDTV either. Without being able to show you the difference the best way to describe it is that the HD1A produces small amounts of video "noise" and the less ambient light there is, the worse this problem gets. The problem, however isn't severe enough to make this a three star camera. I am very pleased with the performance of the HD1A and I'm sure you will be too. If you want to reproduce the crystal clear, sharp images you are used to on HBO HD, you will need to spend at least $3000.00 on a pro-sumer level camcorder. This camcorder for the size and price does an amazing job!
Awesome for its size. But not HD video killer. 2007-08-22
The quality of video is good in HQ standard modes. HD video is ok in outdoor lighting. Very pixelated indoors low light. This is common for most camcorders. The big benefit is the quality you get for the size. The stills are great. If you need a camera for on-the-go outside activities this is a great deal. If you want low-light functionality look at the $2000 Sony. Then again you can't put the sony HD in your pocket. I bought a 4gig SD mem card and it gives me over 50 minutes of video. The battery life is great. All the cables are included and the connection base is really conveinent to just drop on and charge without having to find to correct cable and plug end.
Well Pleased 2007-07-10
I ordered this camera on Monday and received it on Wed of the same week. I bought it from Ritz Camera for $399.00 and although it wasn't mentioned in the add I also got a free tripod, carrying case and cleaning kit.
The camera is fantastic. I have a Sony DV camcorder and the Sanyo is a huge improvement in video quality. I bought it because of the size thinking this would be a good little camera for trips but I would use my sony around the house. After seeing the Video and still picture quality, the Sony is being retired.
I don't understand the reviewer who said he had trouble downloading the images from the camera. I drop it into the docking station and open the videos in Windows Media viewer and enjoy the show.
I have burned several DVD's using the included software with no problems. I do prefer Nero, but that is because I have used it more.
Close enough 2007-06-26
I was hoping to get a camcorder that looked cool, im not a fan of the rounded ones, but also took good indoor, lowlight footage. I almost got it here. It does a great job of picutes in almost complete darkness fairly close up, but the indoor footage left a lot to be wanted. Being able to take pics while filming is a good feature and the quality of the pics are great for 5MP. I bought a 4GB SD card and it holds about an hour and some and the battery holds a pretty good charge (45min-1hour30min), depending on how long you have it on of course. It is so easy to use, the buttons are easy to understand without even reading the manual.
Indoors the recording becomes grainy. Its not bad if you dont mind marginal footage indoors, the outdoor footage was far better, in the light and dark. Overall, im happy, the price, ease of use and picture quality out weights the rest.
