Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700

[scenic98]

Looking to get a HD videocam for my year end holiday. Was at SLS earlier and say this model. Kinda compact and falls nicely in the hands. Priced at mid-800 cash. Been out of touch with videocam and not a lot of review in the web. Anyone have any experience using Sanyo Xacti series before? Is there a similar brand to consider?

For the short 10-15 mins that i was playing with it, here's my short take :

Good
- compact
- clear LCD screen
- looks easy to use
- 2G card can record 55 mins

Bad
- made in indonesia (?)
- some buttons a bit small (not a bid problem for me)
- some parts a bit plasticky
- no lens cover

Unknown
- battery life
- ease of downloading to DVD
- reliability

 

[malcom7373]

From what I know HD700 and HD1000, by comparison, somehow the earlier model can do a higher pixel of still photo. Checkout the optical and digital zooming. Also not forgetting the 1/6 CCD performance on this two newer models cos from what I know the CCD is important. But if you do plan to do video in adequate lighting, I do not see much a problem with the lower 1/6 CCD.

One other to look into is the autofocus reaction of the camera. I played with a CG6 as well as the HD2 model before, somehow under lower light condition, the noise level goes up tremendously. Checkon the focusing which I find it rather frustrating sometimes; especially when you are focusing on something stationary, the set will tend to self-adjust every now and then.

For the HD700 and 1000 models, one might be a mere "upgrade" of the earlier model. Like the HD1 to HD1A and then the HD2.

Battery life generally is acceptable. Get another piece of battery as a backup. The set is so small that carrying another extra battery is not a hassle at all.Downloading to video is easy, there is two ways to do so, using the cradle that comes with the set of get a USB adaptor for the card to download directly into your laptop or PC for editing.

There should be a lens cover that comes with it. So far all models comes in the package. As for the plastic feel, well, personally to me I do not find that an issue. But it is the controls (joystick kind) like the previous sony-ecrisson handphone controls. You have got to get used to it. And of course, such controls will need to visit the service centre probably about once in 2 years for replacement or cleaning.

Do hope this help. Myself is looking at the SD5 by panasonic, not sure about the battery life span and others. But so far, reviews has been good.

 

[malcom7373]

From what I know HD700 and HD1000, by comparison, somehow the earlier model can do a higher pixel of still photo. Checkout the optical and digital zooming. Also not forgetting the 1/6 CCD performance on this two newer models cos from what I know the CCD is important. But if you do plan to do video in adequate lighting, I do not see much a problem with the lower 1/6 CCD.

One other to look into is the autofocus reaction of the camera. I played with a CG6 as well as the HD2 model before, somehow under lower light condition, the noise level goes up tremendously. Checkon the focusing which I find it rather frustrating sometimes; especially when you are focusing on something stationary, the set will tend to self-adjust every now and then.

For the HD700 and 1000 models, one might be a mere "upgrade" of the earlier model. Like the HD1 to HD1A and then the HD2.

Battery life generally is acceptable. Get another piece of battery as a backup. The set is so small that carrying another extra battery is not a hassle at all.Downloading to video is easy, there is two ways to do so, using the cradle that comes with the set of get a USB adaptor for the card to download directly into your laptop or PC for editing.

There should be a lens cover that comes with it. So far all models comes in the package. As for the plastic feel, well, personally to me I do not find that an issue. But it is the controls (joystick kind) like the previous sony-ecrisson handphone controls. You have got to get used to it. And of course, such controls will need to visit the service centre probably about once in 2 years for replacement or cleaning.

Do hope this help. Myself is looking at the SD5 by panasonic, not sure about the battery life span and others. But so far, reviews has been good.

 

[scenic98]

tks for the indept review. was away for sometime, so haven't been checking this forum.
i've decided to ditch the idea of getting sanyo and like you will be getting a pana. it will be a SD7. not available in s'pore yet, my japanese friend getting it for me. brief writeup here http://www.digitalcamcordernews.com/2007/08/panasonic-hdc-sd7-avchd-camcorder