Sanyo VPC-FH1 HD 1080p Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 16x advance zoom
- Capture Full 1080p HD video (60fps) and up to 8-megapixel still photos
- 16x advanced zoom for video; 10x optical zoom for photos
- Face Chaser technology (can detect up to 12 faces for photos and videos)
- Built-in still photo flash; High-Speed Sequential Shooting (12fps)
- Capture video and stills to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
Product Description
Take stunning Full 1080p High Definition video at 60fps and amazing 8 megapixel digital photos! The compact Sanyo Dual Camera Xacti FH1 delivers high performance results with multiple features normally found on much higher priced video and photo cameras. The FH1 packs tons of features which are sure to please the most discerning user; including 600fps slow motion mode, face chasing technology which automatically read and corrects focus and lighting for up to 12 different subjects, and 16x optical zoom for video. Its compact design makes the FH1 extremely portable and easy to use. Videos, still photos and the various settings and menus can be easily accessed with the users thumb. The FH1s convenient design m… More >>
Sanyo VPC-FH1 HD 1080p Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 16x advance zoom
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I have not used the camera much, but I was disappointed to find that to slow motion modes are limited to 10 seconds. At first I thought my memory card might be too slow, but the manual confirms that you only get 10 seconds at a time in 240 fps and 600 fps modes.
Rating: 3 / 5
I remember back in the day when we had VHS camcorders and the physical media was something that we always had to make room for in our bags. Then came the mini-VHS camcorders where you had to place the tape into a special adapter to play the mini tape in your VHS player. Those days seem like so long ago … but for some reason this camera has some of those archaic qualities not found in our digital age let alone a Hi-Def camcorder.
Some of the features that led me to give this camcorder 3 stars:
Cons:
- Takes removable media only. There is not a smidgeon of hard drive space to be found. If you don’t have a Flash Memory card handy you are out of luck. Keep a lot of them handy. Hi-Def recording will eat a gigabyte quicker than you can say video cassette!
- a removable lens cap. (Who does that any more?). Why didn’t Sanyo build it into the lens like most other cameras out there?
- “Am I recording or not”?? I actually lost a critical piece of recording (a piece of a guitar lesson) thinking that I was recording when I was not. No “pause” symbol whatsoever!. No double-bars, no nothing! You are either recording or you are not recording. YIKES! I ended up recording my toes instead of the Allegrias I thought I was recording from my Flamenco guitar instructor. I’ve seen most other cameras (my two others) use pause actions and symbols and have never seen a camcorder with simply a “record” and “not record” function. Am I being too picky to ask that???? I think of it as a regular convention and I just cannot find it anywhere on this camera.
*** Quote from one of my comments: “Another Con that was discussed – Lack of “Pause” – Nope – Flash based camcorders don’t pause. They don’t need to and never will. There are no moving parts. They simply start and stop instantaneously.”
Pros:
- Small
- Light weight
- Seems solid
- Nice picture quality both from the video and from the 8 megapixel built in camera.
I did not install the manufacturer software since I use a Mac platform and imported the movie straight into iMovie (makes life very easy for Mac users).
I wished I could say more kind things about this camera … but in this general price range I would look for a camera that has both an internal hard drive and a slot for SD cards. It shouldn’t have to be one or the other.
Somehow this camera is a throwback to the future … wanting to be the nostalgic camcorders in the Beta / VHS days and wanting to be in the digital world.
Which are you?
Rating: 3 / 5
The manual is a pain. Very small print and you have to flip back and forth to try and understand what they are trying to tell you. I have lost photos and movies because of this.
Rating: 3 / 5
I have purchased this camera and I love it. It has a lot good features but hte one I like the most is the HD. This unit is very easy to use, it makes a great gift.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this camera after the positive reviews on “Amazon” & “CamcorderInfo”. Last year I had bought a Sony HDR-SR12 (120GB HD Cam) for $1200 on Amazon and was impressed by its daylight performance. But Sony HDR-SR12 was Mediocre in low lights. Since this camera earned Best reviews for LowLight performance on Camcorderinfo, I went ahead and ordered it on Amazon. When I opened the box at night, I was impressed by its
Small Size, Ergonomics, Low Light Performance, Battery Life. I could carry it in my cycling jacket and stop on the beach trails and shoot video. It can record upto 3 hours of video on single full charge. My Sony HDR-SR12 would die in 80 to 90 minutes i.e. half the battery time.
** However, when I played it back on my HD Monitor the video was not par with HD quality
- The object details are not good. Object contours are blurred. Ex: in a good scenery trees look like a green ball.
- When you zoom (optical) there is lot of shaking i.e. no optical stabilization. And of course how can one shoot videos without zooming.
- Manual Lens Cover – I lost the lens cover…
The whole purpose of owning a HD Camcorder is to have higher detail and real life videos. These days a top notch consumer SD camcorder (for far lesser price) will give you 100% better video than this camera.
Video Quality cannot be compromised.
In my opinion this camcorder though half the price of Sony, Panasonic or Canon is not worth HD or even SD video. It has lot of desired features (long battery, low light sensitivity, small form factor, good controls) but the Video Quality just kills all of them.
** Maybe it is good for you-tube videos or if you travel a lot and worry about quantity rather than quality.
You will be stuck with your Life Moments in mediocre quality. Do you want to make another trip, just to have better videos?? NO.. I cursed myself after making 2 trips with this camera.
Sadly, I have lost its Lens Cover cap (it is not automatic, manual cap) and would not be able to return it.
I am going to up the ante and buy this year’s 2009 Panasonic HD-HS300 currently selling for $1400.
I gifted my Sony HDR-SR12 to my sister last year. The Daylight videos on that camera were sexy. Connect that camera to HDTV and you will be blown away with the colors, sharpness and details.
Rating: 2 / 5