Rating

Forget all the negative reviews of this camera. For the money this camera can’t be beat. It is simple to use and the HD and HR movies have incredible detail. Also, you only have to carry one camera since it takes pictures. Don’t let the image fool you, this camera is very small! Also, the battery life is brilliant. My dad has two newer HD Cannons and he said mine is better. Lastly, it works very well indoors. I would recommend a 16 GB chip as well, but an 8 GB chip will be sufficient for most people and will save money if your budget is tight.

Rating

* Questions from the comments (I can’t answer the post for some reason so I have to update the review here): No. An adaptor cable comes with the camcorder (one end goes to the camcorder, the other end connect the USB cable of your external drive). The drive has to be in FAT32 format (not NTFS, which is the current format standard for vista and win7 system). FAT32 is format for older windows. The limitation is file on it can not be larger than 4GB (this is why the sanyo camcorder can not record file larger than 4GB, though I don’t know why you would have one file that large, not reliable at the first place). Also a note by a comment that the harddrive may have to be self-powered, according to the manual.

I have not really used the Xacti library feature myself so please refer to the manual (a pdf file you can google) before you make up your mind.

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I believe the FH1A is just the FH1 with the additional Apple iFrame video format (an odd format, smaller then 720p, so I doubt anyone would use it). So my review applies to the FH1 model as well. Btw, most of the camcorderinfo review on the VPC-HD2000 model applies to this one as well.

When this camcorder is on sale for $400 or below, it is certainly the best HD camcorder for the money.

Pros: -Many video resolution options, covering 1080p, 1080i, 720p, vga, and ultra-slow motion video. The 1080p (60fps progressive) is really detailed and smooth. I have read that someone may have problem playing back the 1080p video smoothly on an even quad-core windows (can be solved by choosing the right software). But video play back is quite excellent on my quad-core Mac (well it’s an HP hackintosh).

-H.264 mp4 video format makes it very simple to work with, especially on Mac platform. Just copy the video onto the computer and you can start editing it in iMovie natively without converting, transcoding, etc. Saves tons of time. I have worked with 720p Motion Jpeg (MJPG) videos. Their quality is excellent but they waste too much disk space. The mp4 video from the sanyo has excellent compression without visible quality loss. Therefore, this camcorder should be at the top of one’s shopping list if you are a Mac user.

-Brilliant low light performance. Many camcorders/cameras suffer huge time when shooting video at low light (such as in door at night with usual lighting). I have compared to 720p video my other camera, the video from the Sanyo is much cleaner.

-Comes with a lot of accessories (but as the video can be easily copied onto computer, one don’t really need the video cables). Excellent build quality. Small but with large screen. Can be operated with just the thumb. Fantastic battery life.

-Comes with remote controller, which is hard to find on even much more expensive camcorders.

-Fantastic stereo sound quality.

-Can store video onto portable hard disk without using computers (Xacti library). This is a fantastic feature as you can just bring a portable hard drive and the camcorder when traveling, off-load the videos when the card is full, and continue shooting. Portable HDD is cheap and can hold hours of videos. Without this feature, you either have to prepare multiple SD cards for the trip, or you have to pull out laptop from time to time.

-Ultra slow motion video, though at low resolution. It may be a gimmick for many but can be very useful and fun if you want to capture a special action.

-8M still photo. The quality is on par with most consumer level digital cameras (but a small over sharpened, nothing close to prosumer or DSLR quality).

Cons:-The only real complain I have is the lack of Optical Image Stabilization. It only has Electronic IS, which works a small when you are not moving the camera (the natural shaking of the hand can be countered). But as soon as you start walking, panning, anything involve intentional camera movement, the EIS has no use. For Optical IS, even some of those movement can be countered to certain degree so the end results are not as shaky. Anyway, excellent shooting techniques are always useful, and iMovie has a image stabilization function that can be applied on shaky video, and the results are pretty excellent (but time-consuming). I wish Sanyo could bring OIS to their next generation camcorders.

-The menu is just OK. Not really up to current standard. I’ve seen much better executed animated menus on other cameras. Well they all do the similar thing but make you feel better. I don’t reckon processing power of this camcorder is the problem, it’s a lack of development in this regard. Due to a lock of buttons, one has to remember lots of settings if you want to make quick change. Excellent thing is that some frequently used function can be set as shortcut to the joystick.

-Only provided software for windows, not for Mac; But I doubt there are excellent alternative to iMovie on Mac (at this price point) so it’s OK forgivable.

-Lack of parameter adjustments for video and photo quality. Just three options (normal, vivid, soft) and don’t really make a difference. On my computer when playing back, just a tiny bit of increase in saturation brings the video to a better level. I wish I can shoot the video like that at the first place.

-I find it too dark to my taste when left as automatic exposure, especially indoor night shot. Therefore I customized the exposure compensation on the 4-way toggle, and raise the exposure by 0.3 or 0.6 before shooting.

Rating

I have learned that many computer related products promise , but don’t deliver, or even worse make more problems. Not in this case. The product works very well with my imac. I did not have to load the software. I just take the SD card out and plug it into my i-mac and have a DVD movie made within twenty minutes. The picture is extraorinarily excellent. Of course, you must try and hold the camera steady, but you must do that with all HD video devices. If you are looking for a video a HD video to work with APPLE LOOK NO FURTHER.

Rating

Incredible Handy HD Camcorder (1080p @ 60fps & 8mp Stills) Wow!!!!! Can’t beat that!. Affordable price with spectacular capabilities. Bought it here at Amazon. Got it 2 days earlier than the estimated delivery date. Thanks Amazon!!!

Brilliant Apple Mac compatibility (iMovie). Fantastic picture Quality!

Everything about this Camcorder is Perfect. Currently, A $3500 Handy HD Camcorder will only give you 1080p @ 30fps or 1080i 60fps.

I reckon a Video review will justify more of the awesomeness of the Sanyo VPC-FH1A. So, I’ll shoot a Video review and post it here and in my website at Netbookcraze com.

The only cons are: It doesn’t have a Flash hot-shoe for an external Flash or Mic and no audio in jack..

..but, seriously, who really needs these features, unless you are filming the next Avatar. The only thing that matters in this Camcorder is the HD (1080p @ 60fps & 8mp Stills) that will give you a Gorgeous Video, Nothing more!!!

Ok, I’ll be back SOON!!! with my Video review.

Later for now!

AFTER:

MARCH 15, 2010

I have some problem with the Camcorder’s Menu.

The instruction Menu & the Actual Menu in the camcorder (FH1A) is 50% different. The instruction Manual is for the FH1 model. I already informed SANYO about it and hopefully they will have a Firmware update pretty soon.

Current Problem:

The “PLAYBACK MENU 1 and 2″ is different from the actual Menu in the FH1A.

Basically, ALL the Features on the Playback Menu 1 & 2 in the Manual is not in the Camcorder’s Menu.

You can’t DELETE a File in the Camcorder…The only Option is by Deleting it in a computer or Formatting the Card directly from the Camcorder.

I’m still loving this Camera!

I will post new Updates for any new developments.

Bye for now

MARCH 20, 2010

I’m heading to Honolulu Hawaii tomorrow for my vacation. I will Test this Camcorder to it’s Limit. I wish this was Waterproof cuz I’m goin snorkeling, underwater video would be a cool thought. Maybe someday somebody will come-up with a Waterproof Casing for this Model. That’s on my WISH LIST!

Anyway, I bought a Raynox 0.5 Super Wide Angle Lens (Raynox 5050 Pro-LE)…

…Tiffen 2x Telephoto…

…and a Zeikos 3 pc. 62 mm Multi Coated High Def Filters. Let’s see what these Accessories capabilities.

Ok, be back next week with my Video Review.

Aloha for now!!!!!