ProductCritic: Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 Reviews

vnunet.com (80)

Sanyo’s Xacti VPC-HD1 is so very nearly the perfect camera, but many will be put off by its inconsistent image quality.

Videomaker (80)

Look for more companies to take a cue from the well-designed Sanyo HD1 Xacti.

T3 (70)

Now admittedly, this is a sexy looker. You could also argue that it’s £300 cheaper than Sony’s HDR-HC1 HD camcorder, but the fact is that its films can’t compare.

CNET (70)

If you want the latest in cool toys, the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 certainly has the right gadget quotient. Once you look at the image quality, however, its allure dims quite a bit.

Steve's Digicams (60)

For the family wishing to capture those special moments on video we think you’ll be better served with one of today’s MiniDV camcorders and a good 5MP digital still camera.

Trusted Reviews (60)

The Sanyo VPC-HD1 is very expensive, and has lower photographic quality than a dedicated 5-megapixel still camera, however it is a unique product that offers features that can’t be found elsewhere. Build quality, handling and performance are good, and it is the closest thing yet to a successful hybrid still/video camera.

EasyCamcorders.com (53)

The technology is simply not there. As far as we can tell, the VPC-HD1 is little more than a tricked out camcorder with a still camera chip, shoddily produced in a rush to meet market demands. We don’t doubt that many people will fall for this, drooling at the thought of owning an HD camcorder. You, on the other hand, are now equipped with the knowledge to avoid such traps.

LAPTOP Magazine (50)

Though the tiny Xacti HD1 is a lot of fun to use, the price/performance ratio will satisfy only the most determined early adopter. Tempted gadget hounds might want to think twice and consider the camera’s hidden costs (SD Card, extra RAM, and a more robust editing suite), which could easily add $500 to the price tag. The Xacti HD1’s performance isn’t good enough to justify its base price, much less an inflated final tally.

PC Mag (50)

Its small size is a plus, but the Xacti HD1’s video quality needs a lot of improvement in order to keep up with the competition.