Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 6MP Waterproof MPEG4 Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Blue) Reviews

• Video Review of the Sanyo Xacti E1

  
  By AO6VQNF1LLUHM on 2007-09-14
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1M6ZG13R4TXMW The video shows various photos and videos taken with the Xacti. This is a fun camera that my wife and I really like. We go to Hawaii often and like snorkeling. We've been looking for a camera for this purpose for some time and have finally found it! The video was produced with software that is included with the camera, Adobe Premiere Elements.
  
  

• Much better than I expected from a Sanyo

  
  By A3B8KZ8NDDC6SG on 2007-06-28
  I used to be a sony/panasonic/canon user on AV products. After my 3-year-old sony Mini DV cam decided to quit, I was looking for a next-gen video cam that doesn't use those ultra-annoying tapes. (I cannot believe any people out there will still buy a tape-driven-camcorder in this century.)
  
  There are basically 3 options on the market: DVD based, hard disk based and flash memory based. I think among these three options, flash memory based is the true future solution for all the camcorder products out there since it the smallest, lightest, and fastest to load. You don't have to hook up you camcorder to the computer to download the clips like what you would do with a hard disk based camcorder. And with a 2GB, you can shoot high quality video for 1.25 hr. Which is essentially more than a mini DV tape can offer. Plus, you can get 8GB SD HC card these days. Means you can shoot 5 hrs of video without swapping. (Of course swapping in additional cards is no-brainer anyway.) I appreciate the large storage of a hard disk camcorder. But hey, who is going to shoot over 5 hours of boring family video on a single trip?? Beside, even if you need to shoot over 5 hours, you can always buy/bring more SD cards. But that's not the case for a hard disk camcorder. Once it ran out of space, you are doomed. Also don't forget that you are putting all the eggs in one basket if you think storing all the clips in a 40GB in-camera-hard-drive is a convenience. I think majority of us have experienced the capital punishment of hard drive crashes.
  
  Enough words with the reason to buy, let's talk about my experience with this product after using it for one week. First of all the color of this product is blue on the side you see from all the pictures you can find on the web. However, on the opposite side, it is actually plastic-white. I kind of dislike this color combination. But it's not a big issue.
  
  The build quality is quite solid. The flip screen is even more solid than the sony I used. The button feels a bit "spongee" to touch. It doesn't give you a firm feeling. I think it's due to the reason that it's a water proof camcorder and the buttons are actually pressing on a gasket instead of a solid circuit board. Again, once you get used to it, it's no big deal.
  
  The handling is quite comfortable for a vertical-holding camcorder. The tilted angle of the lens and slim body let you hold the camera without too much stress. But since I'm coming from a horizontal-holding world, it took me some time to get use to it. I found that the best way to hold it is putting your index finger above the top of the lens and your midde finger below the bottom of the lens. That way you use these two fingers to firmly hold the camcorder while you use your thumb to control the shutter and zoom. The down side is you will have some camera shake when you push the zoom since the key is "gasketed" and it takes stronger than normal force to push.
  
  The video quality may be many people's concern since it's a "Sanyo". That was my biggest concern too. But to my surprise, I can truely say that it is very good. It's much better than my 3-year-old sony which always give wrong white balance and grany picture when shooting in low light condition. I didn't compare it to the latest generation of sony/canon. But I think it is very acceptable for family videos. The still photo function is so so. The shutter is kind of hard to control since you need to half-press it to focus. But then again the button is not very firm so you need to get used to the half-pressed-spongee-button feel.
  
  One more good thing about this cam is the fast startup time. Remember the time when your wife screaming at you to shoot the babie's once-in-a-life-time moment and you missed it because it took 10 seconds plus to turn on your tape driven camcorder? This camcorder can be put in sleep mode. As soon as your flip open the screen, it will be ready to shoot in about 3-4 seconds. A small difference in seconds, a giant leap for mankind.
  
  I didn't have a chance to test the under water capability. But I guess it will be okay for pool parties, etc. It's either water-proof or water-leak. There isn't much to talk about.
  
  I did compare this product to the latest Canon TX-1 before I bought the E1. But the awkward handling and inefficient data compression ratio have pushed me back.
  
  I would have given it 4 stars because of the spongee buttons. But since it's a Sanyo and it is forgiven and rewarded for a extra star.
  
  DT
  
  

• Great video camera!

  
  By A3E9WG5BEAFF3T on 2007-07-19
  This is not your average camcorder. We recently purchased a new Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) to replace our old point and shoot and realized that we missed the "Video" features of the point and shoot. We have owned an older Canon camcorder but really hate lugging around tapes and getting the video to the computer is not fun. So we purchased the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 and have been very impressed. I have never seen such a small lightweight waterproof camera anywhere. If you are looking for a great easy to use camcorder and you aren't worried as much about video quality, the Xacti VPC-E1 is the way to go.
  
  Good:
  small
  light
  Easy to use.
  Very nice zoom for a small design.
  Convenient waterproof design.
  Creating video starts very quickly so you won't miss that shot.
  Seems to be well constructed. Some people seemed to be worried that the buttons where mushy, but that is just so they can make it waterproof.
  
  Bad:
  The menu can be a little bit confusing at times.
  You have to have the screen open and the battery hatch open to sync to your computer.
  No matter which front color you get the back is white, don't be fooled.
  I read that you need to replace the "seals" on the camera after around a year of use, but I can't figure out how to order them.
  
  
  

• Great little DV Camera

  
  By A32JW6PUIWCX9U on 2007-10-28
  This is a great little camera is many ways. It also has some shortcomings, but they are few and minor, so I am very happy with my purchase. I'll review both my likes and dislikes about the camera.
  
  Let me state first that I work as a film editor (using Final Cut Pro), videographer, compositor, photographer and anything multimedia related for the largest county in the US. I am fortunate to have access to the latest and greatest equipment and have a ton of fun doing my job! On occasion, though, I have wished I had a camera like the Xacti with me - particularly when I wanted to take some personal photos or video during an event I was covering, or if I had some kind of video or photographic equipment failure and needed a quick stand-in. The Xacti is not a pro-series camera, but in a pinch it can do a pretty good job of standing-in. It is a 6-megapixal camera, so the photos are clear and sharp, you will find many adjustments, filters, focusing options available in its easy-to-use menu. Same goes for the video. Easy to adjust, set it the way you want, and it's ready when you are. It is incredibly easy to use - can't say this enough - there are only three buttons - one to take a picture, one to start video and one for zoom. Because the Xacti uses flash media, all you have to do is open the viewfinder and the camera is ready to shoot. There is no tape to spool, nothing to wait for - instant shooting, and no shot to miss. Transferring to your computer for editing is just as easy - either use the included USB cable and attach the Xacti to your computer, or use a card adapter. I purchased two 4GB flash cards and have been pretty amazed by how much they will hold. The flash cards came with a USB card adapter, and I remove the flash card from the camera, insert it into the card adapter and plug the adapter into my Mac. The batteries, however, are not as robust. I ordered a couple from a vendor here on Amazon and paid about $10 each - a great deal for camcorder batteries. Don't worry about finding batteries to mach the VPC-E1 - I think the camera is too new to cross reference - any battery for any Sanyo Xacti will do just fine. Sanyo has a steady-cam feature - be sure to use it while videotaping. While it does a pretty good job, you'll probably want to come beck home and run it through your smoothcam editor if you have one to really make your video shine. Of course, there is the waterproof feature of this Xacti. I have seen footage shot underwater with this cam, but have not actually had the opportunity to do so myself. However, in my job we do end up in some pretty dusty, dirty, abusive situations for our cameras. This is why I was excited about the Xacti VPC-E1 6MP Waterproof. I probably won't get a chance to try it in the pool until next summer, but i have already washed it off several times in the sink after days of filming in the desert. So it is not just the underwater feature, but the easy-clean feature I enjoy as well. On last note: I really like its size - it is really small, as in "easy to fit in your pocket" small. For me this is great because when I am called to shoot I have to leave very quickly, and I can easily grab my Sanyo and pop it in to my pocket and head out the door.
  
  What do I dislike? Not much. I'm not crazy about the MPEG4 codec that Sanyo uses. I tend to use Apple's Macs more than PCs in my editing at work and probably would have preferred a more robust codec. I have read, after purchasing my Xacti, that Sanyo is coming out with an HD Xacti, which would be nice - but the model I read about is not waterproof. Would it be worth the tradeoff? Not for me right now. I also find the zoom extremely touchy. I have looked relentlessly for settings to adjust this and cannot seem to find any. If you use a feather-light touch it gets better, but this is an issue with me. Another minor issue is that the camera does not give much warning as to when you will be running out of memory while you are shooting. There is some warning, I would just like more. And finally, if I was in Sanyo's design department, I think I would make this underwater camera less slippery. The black strip down the center of the camera is ridged with a zigzag pattern, but the rest of the camera is very slick and slippery. I would think that for any underwater camera, additional rubberized or grip zones might be in order.
  
  As you can see, I am very pleased with my Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 6MP Waterproof MPEG4 Camcorder. When Sanyo's HD model comes out in the near future I may look at that model as well. The few minor gripes I have with the camera are minor in comparison with the outstanding features and performance.
  
  

• I tested this unit in category 5 rapids of Niagara Falls and.....

  
  By A35WUHB06DVN2T on 2007-08-19
  I recently visited the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and took a whirlpool jet boat tour. If you want more details on the tour then google it. Basically, the tour involves a high speed / open air jet boat that takes you through category 5 rapids of Niagara Falls. You don't just get soaked or drenched...you get hit with 8 to 10 ft waves. I was shooting for almost 45 mins of non stop water spray and this unit held up flawlessly. If you film in wet conditions then this is a very inexpensive unit. OK, enough about the waterproofing. What about the rest?
  
  Pros:
  
  1. Waterproofing- I don't know of any other camcorders that compare or even exist in this price range.
  
  2. Overall good pic quality- Overall quality is roughly mini dv quality. Sometimes slightly worse / slightly better. Very impressive considering the small footprint of this unit.
  
  3. Very easy to use. I don't know why other reviews over the web knock the usability. This this is super simple to use. Just point and record.
  
  4. Build quality- Compares favorably with Sony, Panasonic, etc. This is very well built and even though it is made in Indonesia it has typical "Japanese" fit and finish.
  
  5. Lightning quick boot times.
  
  Cons
  
  1. Seems to be incompatible with Apple tv. I will have to try and reencode the stock videos. I think the bit rate is simply too high at the highest quality setting for Apple TV to support. However, the videos play perfectly using Quicktime.
  
  2. Slippery when wet. My advice to Sanyo...the included wrist lanyard should offer the ability to be velcroed. However this is an easy fix with an after market lanyard.
  
  3. It would be nice if an extended life battery were offered. However, aftermarket batteries are dirt cheap (around $10 per battery).
  
  Bottom Line
  
  It is very easy to over look this product because of the lack of pizzaz about the Sanyo name. If you can get over that then you will have one heck of a camcorder. It is up to you: Would you rather have good video quality and shoot a ton of video or would you have HD quality, but shoot much less video because you don't want to lug around a bulky cam corder. Heck, I like this camcorder so much that I will now use it for most of my shooting and use my Sony HD cam only for very special events.
  
  
• Decent Video - Horrific Images
  By A1Y8SWNSQKRWIE on 2007-08-24
  I knew I should not have brought this out without more testing.
  
  As a video camera, it pretty decent. I wanted somethig to record to SD cards.
  
  I have been trying to find a hybrid camera/video device for years and this one had me excited. I figured even if the 6MP was as good as a 3MP regular camera, I'd be happy.
  
  Well I took it to my daughters play. I usually bring video and a regular still. This camera can shoot stills while you shoot video (I thought that was amazing).
  
  Too bad the stills are awful. Unless you are outdoors on a sunny day, this camera is pathetic. I took some pictures inside near a bright window and they looked like you took them on a circa 1990 Apple quicktake.
  
  Saying this camera does not work that well indoors is an understatement. It's more like, this camera does not work indoors.
  
  It's a shame because it's a cool package. However, I'd rather have great pix and ok video that I have been taking from my handheld PS camera.
  
  When I want quality, I bring my Canon DV and my Digital Rebel. I was hoping this would be a compromise. If I got one decent shot, it would be a compromise but every picture I shot was blurry.
  
  The autofocus on this camera is bad and I think it's cumbersome to take a photo.
  
  If you need a waterproof camera that records to SD, this is ok. If you really think you are getting a 6MP digital camera (or even a reasonable ok digital camera, look elsewhere).
  
  Back to Amazon goes the Xacti.
  
  
• Very pleased
  By A21OY8GF2H2CWK on 2007-08-14
  I purchased the camera right before leaving on a family cruise. It was used for taking stills as well as video. There was plenty of water activity such as snorkling and swimming with dolphins and the waterproof camera came along for all the activities. The underwater video came out great..although it was challenging to see the view screen under water. I also liked the feature of not having to switch modes, being able to take a still while continuing to video.
  
  
• You almost had me, Sanyo, but beware Mac users!
  By A331VMSXD0I20W on 2007-08-18
  After watching a video review of the Sanyo Xacti E1 camcorder, I was sold on it before I could get rid of my current camcorder. I ran to the nearest store to buy one and took it straight to the beach. The video quality was amazing. As a current widescreen camcorder and widescreen TV owner, I missed 16:9 over the 4:3-only video recording (even though it surprising shot 16:9 digital stills!). The flash was strong, and underwater recording was even better than expected. The battery life is estimated at about 80 minutes, but it's so easy to find spare batteries (as low as $20 for 5 on eBay!)
  
  Of course, even though it was waterproof, it certainly isn't pebble-proof. Sitting at the beach and having the waves rush into me and the camera was fun, but not when I couldn't flip or close the screen, as pebbles got caught in and around the hinge. Needless to say, it got pretty scratched up on its first day trying to get the flip-out screen to close and open properly.
  
  As a new Apple user, owning a MacBook, iPhone, and Apple TV, what sold me was the blatant mention of H.264 and AppleTV, right on the box. I wasn't expecting a grand suite of Mac applications, but it was easy enough to just drag into iTunes to sync up. This is where the fun ended on the Mac side. The H.264-friendly iPhone rejected every video created with the E1, and the AppleTV played back every video with such artifact corruption that I was so embarrassed when performing a live demonstration of the ease of use of both the E1 and the Apple TV to family and friends.
  
  Sure, I could drag all the H.264 movie files into iMovie and re-render them, but then what makes this camcorder different or better than others that I would have to re-encode anyway? Sanyo should really reconsider the mention or detail the specifics of Apple compatibility if they want to gain the trust of Apple users in the future.
  
  Ultimately, the camera went back to the store, and my quest continues for a decent-price, widescreen-capable, high compression, flash storage-based, Apple-friendly ultraportable camcorder. They might be able to fix these problems with a firmware update, but I doubt it. Perhaps I'll revisit Sanyo again when the Xacti E2 or VPC-HD3 (speculative names) come out.
  
  
• Video quality reminiscent of 1980s VHS
  By A2H44J4XAMBVYE on 2007-10-21
  Build quality is crisp and precise and the unit is attractive. Screen picture quality is average. Controls are surprisingly limited. But the biggest problem is the video quality. Connected to a TV, I was surprised to see that for shots taken both indoors and outdoors on a sunny day, greens looked oversaturated, outlines were blurry, and very noticeable digital artifacting occurred in images of a running child. Overall I was reminded of my first VHS camera circa 1983.
  
  For shooting underwater it's affordable and brilliantly small. Unfortunately I won't get that far as I'm returning it for picture quality reasons.
  
  
• A great go-anywhere camera with no worries about the elements!
  By A1XGTQOWLX52PJ on 2007-12-20
  Have you ever been in a situation where it'd be great to have a camera, but you didn't want to risk the wind, the rain, or the water on your pricey electronic equipment? This camera fills the gap and gives you the opportunity to take good images in places where other cameras would stay covered in the camera bag.
  
  Let's start with the obvious. This camera works great underwater! You can take underwater stills or video, and the camera handles them all with ease. The buttons are big and easy to operate. Taking video in the water opens up a whole new world of fun photo opportunities! But it's more than just snorkeling or swimming in the pool. You can take this camera kayaking, boating, in the rainforest, skiing, you name it, places where you'd probably never dare take a traditional digital camera or video. That's the beauty of this camera. You have no fear taking it virtually anywhere.
  
  I got better photo results from this camera than I did with the Xacti HD700. The video output of the E1 is not HD, but its perfectly fine for everyday family and fun use. If I were making a serious movie with top quality video, I wouldn't be using any of the Xactis. This camera has virtually no startup time. As fast as you can flip open the viewing screen, it's ready to take images.
  
  Another great feature of this camera for traveling is that you only need to bring the camera and a small portable wall charger to pop the battery into. If you upgrade to an HD700 or similar, you will the triple the weight in your charging accessories. Those devices require two long cords (one with a heavy brick) and then an additional charging base station. Those three cords and bases can take up an entire sandwich size ziplock in your suitcase, vs. the E1's wall charger which is the size of a few sticks of gum.
  
  Battery life on this device did seem pretty short. I would highly recommend a few additional batteries if you'll be traveling or using this for extended periods of time. I also wish the device came with a lens cap to protect the lens.
  
  Bottom line, you'll take this camera places you'd never take other cameras. Recently I was on a pontoon boat trip along the Napali Coast in Kauai. It was the most beautiful scenery on earth, and no one else could photograph it because everyone was petrified of getting salt water spray on their camera equipment. Not me! It's not perfect, you might get better pictures with a Canon or Panasonic camera, but if you'd never use those cameras in a wet spot, what's the point! I am very pleased with this camera.
  
  
• VPC-E1 review
  By A2EH3CO964Q4OD on 2007-09-15
  I purchase this camera a couple couple months ago (July 07) and all in all it's worked out well. I've spent a lot of time with it under water and I've been pleased with it's performance.
  
  Pros:
  1)Pretty good video resolution, even on my 32 inch TV.
  2)It's passed several underwater video tests without any problems. The seal has held and the images were surprisingly clear.
  3)Very portable, fits easily in my front trouser pocket.
  4)Battery holds a decent charge, though a back up battery is probably a good idea.
  5) The menu is easy to navigate.
  6) Seems to be fairly durable.
  
  Cons:
  1) The buttons are awkward to use. I attribute this to the "pistol grip" nature of the design which requires you to use your thumb to press the buttons while trying to hold the camera in some fashion with your fingers. Difficult to master.
  2) As another reviewer mentioned, the fact that the lens is not perpendicular to the grip takes a little getting used to. You find that you have a tendency to aim too high.
  3) Audio is only mediocre. Though I've never owned a video camera that had what I would regard as good audio so it wasn't a surprise.
  4) The 6 mp sill images are OK but not great. I think my old 3.2 mp Canon Elf takes better looking pictures. Proof that good images aren't just about how many mega pixels you have.
  
  Bottom Line:
  None of the cons were problematic enough for me to regret buying this camera. I was looking for small, weather proof video camera that took at least decent stills and the E1 has, thus far, satisfied or exceeded those requirements.
  
  
• Video Review for the Sanyo Xacti form the Amateur Traveler
  By A1NAJ58PBPDEGP on 2007-12-10
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1LLJVSOGFMNRI A video review done by Chris Christensen of the Amateur Traveler podcast for the PodShow Christmas gift ideas series of videos
  
  
• Bunch-a-Fun
  By A23CJL79OYIOB9 on 2007-09-13
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RFKY16MCD2ASW I've updated my review because I've done a bunch of things you could never do with a conventional cam (I am getting the HD1000 - I can't pass up HD) .. including mounting it on this kiteboard and taking it for a ride. I also set in shallow water on a tripod so my friends can jump, splash and ham it up in front of the camera. It's been dumped when the tripod got hit .. it's been knocked off my knee mount when I crashed - luckily, it floats! (I've made a neon float for it because it is a little hard to see in rough water...) You can see some mounting ideas at wetstuff.com
  
  I get about 1 hour+15 min out of the supplied, 729mAh battery and a 1meg SD card. Just perfect for my uses. I bought 875mAh, 'bigger/better' batteries on Ebay - they last 35min ea. So much for leaving the reservation...
  
  My bigger problem, at the moment, is learning iMovie or Quicktime Pro so I can make the hour into 3-5minutes of something that doesn't trigger narcolepsy in non-kiters. It's a great toy - you can't not have fun it!
  
  Jim
  
  
• Excellent Video Camera for Travelers
  By ABXANRX4GPYRZ on 2007-12-10
  The E1 is a great little camera for travelers. It is compact, durable ( no moving parts ) weather, and water proof and very easy to use. The video quality is good and it is extremely easy to upload video to my Macbook from the camera. This camera integrates extremely well with my Apple Macbook as the H.264 ( Quicktime ) video imports right into iTunes and can be viewed on my Mac, iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV. The video also imports right into iMovie for quick editing and export using iDVD to DVD's.
  
  Getting video online is quick and flawless too. I just pop out the SD card from the camera and put it into an SD card reader which I plug into my Macbook and up the video goes straight to YouTube. So cool !
  
  We took it on our recent trip to Cancun Mexico and it was so useful on land, in the pool and in the ocean during snorkeling. No other camera is so versatile. People really looked at me funny when they saw me taking my camera from the beach right into the ocean. They thought I was crazy !
  
  Sure it does not take video with the quality of more expensive cameras, nor is it as feature rich, however the compact size, durability, simplicity, and weather/water proof make for an unbeatable travel video camera. I highly recommend it.
  
  
• Excellent camcorder/camera for underwater and beyond
  By AI83NNFLLYZ24 on 2008-02-15
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R14U3FE9YWZMG2 I wanted to buy an underwater camera to take on our recent vacation and was delighted to find this one which happened to be a camcorder too! Big bonus! On vacation we snorkeled twice per day, for 8 days and had no problems whatsoever with the camera. I did as instructed and rinsed the camera in fresh water each time and then dried it. I'd bought a spare battery because of the reviews stating that the battery life was poor, but I really didn't need it. There was no problem at all with battery life! I also bought the underwater wrist strap and would recommend it for the peace of mind it gave us as we swam around. The velcro strap ensures that there was no way you can drop the camera.
  
  I was so impressed with the ease of use, quality of the stills and video, and with the ease of downloading the images to my laptop that I used it out of the water too. It's small size means that I can slip it in my bag in it's light, but protective case. I think I will get a lot of use from this camcorder!
  
  UPDATE: June 08. As I thought, I have had lots of use from this camcorder over the last 6 months. It is so easy to carry around and simple to use that it has become my camera/camcorder of choice. For example, I took video of my newly born grandson and immediately posted it online for his distant relatives to see. I still continue to be impressed with the quality of the stills it takes. I will post a couple of still photographs taken recently.
  
  UPDATE: August 08. I've added a video taken in shallow water (music added for dramatic effect!) It was a tiny shark!
  
  
• Excellent Deal!!!
  By A24VS5MMGVQVR4 on 2007-08-28
  I was lucky to get it as a deal of a day promotion. At first I thought I was going to regret this compulsive buy, but a what a great surprise....
  
  I took it to my vacation trip as a video camera back up for my everio and once I started shooting I forgot completlly of my JVC camera....
  
  Really,.... is is that good, and the video under water is very clear.
  
  
  I will really recomend this camera to anybody, even if you already have another video camera, with the additional feature of under water video it is a killer...
  
  Go and get it.
  
  
• quality issue
  By A14QFVUCWSINTO on 2007-09-03
  I bought this waterproof camera on July 21st. I was satisfied by its easy of use. the still picture is too bad, if you're used to use canon rebel. but still, I wanted to keep it. but after 40 days, it refuses to work any more. the screen is black in either photo or video mode. recording is black. playback still works though. I'm not sure if I can exchange a new one from the seller "the factory depot". I'll keep you updated.
  I would suggest buyer to take the product quality into consideration. When it breaks, a lot of hassle will come with it.
  
  
• Great video quality, extremely versatile camera
  By A399P6SRRWPIZ2 on 2008-02-27
  Just got back from a trip to Antarctica, and this video camera was fantastic. When we were cruising around in the small Zodiac boats, everyone else had to put their cameras away because of the water spray, but this camera was always out, taking both very good quality videos and reasonable still photos. Lots of examples at http://leler.com/antarctica08/
  
  The only improvement I could think of would be a water repellant coating for the lens, so that water drops don't form on it. Oh, and it does have a rather small battery, but I bought a 3-pack of spare batteries and just pop in a new one when it needs it. I also wish it had a slightly wider angle lens, but these are minor quibbles for a camera this small and versatile.
  
  
• Easy and great quality
  By A1TNT74VZC7J on 2008-03-07
  We recently had a baby and everyone tells you to get a video camera to record the moments. I have hated video because people always have these tapes all over the place and you never end up watching them. I am however always on my Macbook Pro. This allows me to download directly into iPhoto and iTunes to put on my iPod. The photos are great quality and the video is great (for the price) even when viewed on a big screen. It comes with a USB cord to connect to my computer and also one to connect to the TV. Very easy to upload to youtube or onto a blog. Instead of sending out annoying e-mails with photos of our child I post everything to the blog and let people go there on their own.
  
  The only thing I wish it did is hold the photo for a few seconds after the shot. Not a big deal but I would recommend purchasing an 8 gig sd card and an extra battery. All are on Amazon for less the $20 each. The large card lets you shoot more pictures and video then weed them out later. I also recommend the underwater hand strap. We have not used it underwater yet but we have only had it a few months.
  
  If you are a Mac user I can not stress how easy it interfaces with iTunes, iPhoto and iMovie. Not sure with PC but still very cool and small. I carry it with me always. It fits in my pocket and is quick to use.
  
  
• Very nice price-quality relation
  By A2235F0S2LLI8H on 2008-03-10
  A very good buy IMHO, with a some caveats though.
  One pretty well advertised feature of this camera is its capability for shooting pictures while recording. This feature has some less advertised drawbacks, however. First, it's quality is automatically set to 6M, which in most cases will not bother you. Also the flash will not shoot, which can make this feature unusable in some cases. However, as the camera doesn't have a lamp or low-light mode, in most situations you aren't able to shoot without the aid of the flash you won't be able to record decent video either anyway. What makes this feature really unusable in my opinion however is that while the camera records the picture to the memory card it will stop recording video, so your video ends up with annoying cuts in the moments you took pictures. I'm using a Transcend 8GB SDHC Class 6 card, which as far as I could figure out is the fastest type of card on the SDHC realm, and the clipping is still too noticeable for my liking. In my opinion it's much better to stop recording and take the pictures or extracting the stills from the video, using the camera's own edition features even. All these peculiarities are not advertised, but they are detailed on page 53 of the camera's instruction manual.
  
  The autonomy is 80 minutes, which is ok, but I recommend buying at least a couple extra batteries. Just today I used the camera at a family reunion and I went through two batteries. I must add however that even if it wasn't used continuously, it wasn't given much rest either between playback and recording. Personally I bought and recommend Lenmar DLSAL20 Lithium-ion Batteries. Onlyne I found discrepancies about the capacity of the original battery, but in the end I found both the original and the Lenmar "replacement" have the same 720 mAh capacity and hence the same autonomy and can be used with the same charger. The Lenmar ones cost about one-third the price of the official ones though, so even if they have lower lifetime (which I'm not sure is the case, but can't be sure because I still haven't had time to exhaust one) they are still worth it.
  
  As for recording space, the 8GB card mentioned earlier allows me to record over 5 hours of video at the maximum possible quality (TV-SHQ, 640x480, 30 fps, 3 Mbps = aprox. 1.26 GB per hour) and also over 300 pictures at the maximum possible quality (10M = 3680x2760). Lowering the quality one step or two almost doubles the quantity of video and images. In my case that's more than enough. In the manual it warns that the video will stop recording after reaching a file size of 4 GB. I think this might be a restriction imposed by the FAT file system the memory cards use. This is a pointless warning though, as you need over 3 hours of continuous recording at maximum quality to reach that file size and the battery lasts only about 80 minutes and the camera has no socket for an external power source.
  
  I was a bit surprised at the small size of the camera, and a little afraid as my hands are big (and clumsy too, yeah). After using it however I found it quite easy to handle and practical. It is very light and adapts fine to the hand, providing a decent grip. The display is comfortable, clear and reasonably big. It does have a socket for fitting on a tripod, and I mention this in hopes it helps someone because I couldn't find this specific detail mentioned anywhere when I was researching information on this camera prior to buying.
  To be honest, I haven't had the necessity or the heart to test its underwater resistance yet.
  
  The soft case included is barely enough to protect it. I would strongly recommend buying a better case along with it.
  
  My most firm complains about this camera are related to the picture shooting, and being it a camcorder I consider picture shooting an incidental plus, so I wouldn't take that much into account. The only recording-related thing I would change is the autonomy, but I'm not sure I would trade it's compact size and light weight for some extra battery time, so I'm not going to complain about that either.
  Overall, I think it's a pretty good camera, and although I agree there are better ones on the market, I'm not sure there is one as good as this one for a similar price.
  
  
• Great Camera!
  By A20R5FH9Q5557Y on 2008-06-27
  I bought this camera before my yearly fishing trip to Alaska and the camera functioned beautifully! I was looking for a camera that I could put in my pocket or backpack with out taking up a lot of room. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 has worked out perfectly. I dropped it in the frigid Alaskan waters a few times and the camera came out working like a charm! Don't let a few of these negative reports scare you into not purchasing this camera. This camera is not a professional camera! Don't expect professional quality! Do expect to have a lot of fun with it!!!! Any digital camera isn't going to produce the best results with out light, DIGITAL NEEDS LIGHT!!!! Its compact, rugged and easy to use. Do remember to make sure the battery compartment door is shut and locked before getting it wet. I have not experienced any of the problems that some of the other users mentioned in their reviews. Hope this review helps in making your decision. This is a great camera for the price. Have fun with it!!!
  
  
• Great little unit, perfect for vacations
  By A3RWEG9XYSVDIU on 2008-05-15
  A few comments about this camera. I took it with me to India, and the standalone battery recharger was fried by a power surge after a short time. Fortunately, I found a cheap universal charger in a local shop which saved the day. Since the recharger would appear to be easily damaged by power spikes I recommend a good quality surge protector when travelling to countries where fluctuating voltage or power outages are common (e.g. India, China, and other developing countries)
  
  The camera itself is very compact and straightforward to operate. The zoom buttons are tricky to operate with one hand without causing camera shake, so I suggest using a second hand to stabilize the camera when zooming in or out.
  
  You have to be careful to protect the lens because there is no lens cap. So the lens will need to be cleaned regularly.
  
  The camera adapts very well to different lighting environments automatically, even in dim light (e.g. dusk) the image will be quite acceptable. As others have pointed out, it can sometimes lose focus in dim light, but switching to "Normal" focus mode (rather than "Total" focus) will generally solve the problem.
  
  I have not tested the camera underwater, but I have used it in heavy rainfall and it didn't skip a beat.
  
  The quality of the H264/AVC codec is superb, especially when you record in the highest quality mode (640 x 480 resolution). However, at the moment this codec is not very widely supported by standalone players.
  
  Sony Blu-Ray players and Xbox 360 can play these mp4 video files directly however. Other DVD players claiming "MPEG4" compatibility will NOT work with H264/AVC (i.e. when the mp4's are burned straight to a data DVD/CD or accessed on a memory card).
  
  This means conversion to DVD-VIDEO format will be necessary in most cases. For this purpose, I do not recommend the software that comes bundled with the camera as it is quite poky and the converted quality is not great.
  
  Instead I suggest you download the software "Total Video2DVD Author". This converts the H264/AVC mp4's in very high quality (virtually no pixellation/artefacts) and is no slouch either.
  
  ** But be sure to configure the target for NTSC DVD-VIDEO and not PAL, otherwise fast-moving sequences will appear jerky **
  (same goes if using the bundled conversion software)
  
  I assume the reason for this is that Xacti's native video format conforms more closely to NTSC standard in terms of framerate, etc. All DVD players can handle NTSC discs anyway so this shouldn't be a big deal.
  
  I tested the Xacti with 8Gb SDHC card and it works perfectly. I also tried inserting a 16Gb Toshiba SDHC card and this was also recognized by the Xacti so I assume it would be compatible (you could record a *lot* of footage onto 16Gb, due to the efficiency of the H264/AVC codec)
  
  By the way, the recorded sound quality is very good. When zooming in/out, some mechanical noise will be picked up, but otherwise is great.
  
  Still image (camera) mode works quite well, sometimes the photos appear over-exposed in broad daylight but you could manually adjust for that. If you try to take a photo in the midst of recording a video, the photo will be limited to 6MP resolution (2816 x 2112). If the photo is taken when no video recording is taking place, the resolution can be up to 10 megapixel (3280 x 2760). Even though it is claimed to be a 6MP camera, somehow it can manage the 10MP resolution, which is a plus.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• defected image
  By A2GXXD8L4KQRFY on 2007-11-22
  It is a nice camcorder. But for $400, I expected a reasonable quality. There is a white spot in all images or videos I took. I remembered one previous review mentioned about this issue. He did an exchange, and still have the same issue.
  
  Also, the navigation button is too small. It is hard not to accidentally hit the wrong button. Another previous review also mentioned this problem.
  
  The image is ok if the light is good. Otherwise, the 6m (10m as claimed) is worse than my 3m Olympus.
  
  Also, the focus is also kind of slow. If the subject has a sudden move, it takes a noticeable time to focus. Again, for $400, it should have issues like this.
  
  
• Great and waterproof
  By A33HADSH2DSWLU on 2008-06-01
  I raft and Kayak whitewater rivers. We took this camera on a class 4 run on the NF American a couple of weeks ago. There was lots of carnage and rescues that I had to do. At one point during a rescue the camera was lost track of and ended up on the bottom of the raft for a few class 4 rapids. When we realized it was missing and looked for it we found it on the floor of the raft floating in between the floor and the tube, It must have been threshed well where it was. It came out just fine and we enjoyed viewing videos of rafts flipping that night.
  The picture quality isn't great but very adequate
  I recommend this product
  
  
• This is NOT waterproof!
  By A10VI9N5GR9A0 on 2008-06-27
  This was purchased December of 2007, it was used 3 times, and never submerged. I brought it to the lake and it was splashed a few times. I went to take a picture with it, and the view was all cloudy. I turned it around and there were water bubbles inside the lens! 3 days later the moisture remains, and there is no possible way to contact Sanyo from their website, or some place to send my camera to have it repaired. 380 dollars down the drain.
  
  
• SANYO XACTI E1 vs E2
  By A26EG0TQQOIBWN on 2008-11-16
  I had this item in my Cart when it was $350. The price dropped to $250 and I made my purchase right away. Then I found out that there is a new kid in town, the SANYO XACTI E2 which cost just another $100. The same price of E1 just days before.
  
  For $100 more I learned that you get :
  
  8 megapixel (new E2) vs 6 megapixel (E1)
  60frames per sec recording (new E2) vs 30frames per sec recording (E1)
  Face detection technology that suggests improvements in the focus.
  fast 5frames per sec photo shots (to capture fast action)
  New underwater white balance mode.
  
  Everything else such as the waterproof casing is the same. I wanted to know was it really worth it to exchange for the NEW E2 in case I might regret later. So I did a little research.
  
  First off, when the sanyo E1 arrived, I was surprised with all the features it has. This isn't really a beginners camera (otherwise get the Flip ultra) If you do learn what these features do, you wont find it so bad and on the plus side you are in much greater control how everything turns out. A lot of people complained about the slow focusing. Here's how you fix the problem. You simply switch 9 point autofocus to spot focus . 9 point is letting the computer pick its own focus in 9 areas on the screen. if you set to spot. whatever you have in the center will be focus and nothing else. Easy as done.
  
  Underwater mode on the E2 is nothing more than using the Eye dropper tool in the E1. With the eye dropper tool. you simply let the camera take a sample of your environment and lighting condition and it'll adjust to a perfect fit. I AM VERY SURPRISE THAT THERE IS SUCH A TOOL! I'LL NEVER HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING CONDITION.
  
  the face detection technology embedded in E2 is good, but it's not necessary because you there is another kind of focusing adjustment feature in E1 where you get to manually select how far is your object, landscape +portrait (the computer wont try to focus anything too upclose), macro (very close up) and total range (the computer here decides).
  
  People complain it doesnt focus fast enough is probably because Total range is selected and they were try to shoot a dog running around, a building, or just landscape. The computer is confused! So just use the Landscape +portrait and your problem is solved. if you are filming your kid's play, concert and your position is fixed. Simply simply select manual focus and pick the correct distance. The computer will not run off focusing anything else.
  
  8megapixel vs 6megapixel. 60frames per sec vs 30 frames per sec. 5 frames per sec photo mode for action shot. How is this better you ask? not really better. The trick here is CCD VS CMOS. The new E2 has replaced CCD to a CMOS. CMOS is lower in production cost, the technology allows it shoots much faster ..this is why you can acheive 60frames per sec. BUT the quality of the photo and recording is simply not better than a CCD. CCD is much accurate. CCD eats more battery power though. CMOS consume less energy so that is good because you'll have longer battery life. FYI CMOS technology is also in all cell phone cameras. It allow faster viewing and doesnt eat up all your phone's battery. CCD is better. It picks up and adjust lighting condition more accurately. Go to youtube and type in CCD VS CMOS and you'll understand. I am happy to keep my E1 and save $100 toward memory card , Case and enough for gas.
  
  The grip, most people complaint isn't so great. It feels like you might slip the camera. That is true, but once you wrap the wrist lace over your hand, you'll feel much protected from accidental drop.
  
  What I also like about Sanyo Xacti E1 is that it's a solid built! it doesnt feel cheap like a toy. That's because it's designed to be waterproof and they have to use the better material.
  
  The other non-waterproof sanyo hand-held camera feel plastics and has a cheaper frame! I went to walmart and compared and the plastic on those are flimsy..really flimsy.
  
  What's also great about the waterproof case is that if you dont really plan on using it much underwater, you can just clean it off with water if it gets dirty. Someone gave a good point that if you were to film in a dusty place or gone on a vacation for a week. There will be dust all over. just drop this in a bucket of clean water and you're good to go!.
  
  
  Sound quality =one word "AWESOME" Very crisp , clean, clear! High digital quality! better than mp3 quality as they stated. Yes that's correct. Better than a Flip ultra (previously own) .
  
  for $250 right now. it is so cheap! Think of this;
  
  battery by itself is $50
  Charger " $50
  USB cable $20
  TV cable $20
  -------------------------
  $140
  
  Sanyo Xacti E1 by itself $110!!!!!!
  
  it records high quality video better than FLip ultra. It has better sound! it is waterproof!!! waterproof case cost over $100!!!!! You have much in control of the features.
  
  
  What made me really decide to just keep E1 is has a CCD sensor to capture images which results in better quality.
  
  
  Bottom line is it's not going to capture DVD super quality, but way better than YOUTUBE VIDEO AND FLIP ULTRA OF COURSE.
  
  The only things I wish it had is:
  
  lens cap
  
  Better soft case
  
  but these are not so important.
  
  
  
  
• great camera/video camera
  By A2RL57QBKVATVX on 2007-08-23
  I purchased this camera for our vacation in Hawaii. It worked exactly as advertised. The underwater pictures were great. The still photos were also great. It wasn't hard to point and shoot. I would recommend this camera.
  
  
• Great product - unexpected video quality
  By AADBG8PAHRUG3 on 2007-10-03
  I purchased this after seeing an ad in MacWorld detailing it's waterproof capability which would be useful for skiing and kyaking. The video is of a higher quality than I expected - like a much larger camera. It zooms well and the image is very sharp. The still pictures are very good but the shutter button takes practice to smoothly operate. The on screen info is very complete and will become more useful as my experience grows. The moveable screen allows a great deal of versatility and ability to do candid shooting. I bought a 2 gig SD card for $20 which I think will be adequate for an upcoming vacation.
  
  
• Exactly what I wanted
  By A2EZ9WHA2BZ780 on 2008-01-18
  I gave this camera to my husband for Christmas. He is a total camera buff, so he turned up his nose quite a bit, especially with the Sanyo name.
  
  We went on vacation to Costa Rica and he refused to even take it with us, so, I took it anyway.
  
  The video I took in and out of the water of my girls surfing and the accidental run-in with jelly fish was excellent. The picture looks a little blue, but after running it back at the house with the quick hook up, everyone was oohing and awing. Now he won't let me use it, like it was all his idea.
  
  So, the zoom was great, still pictures, awesome and all and all, a fun, easy to port little camera. I will take it with me anywhere. It was a no brainer.
  
  When the kids went down the waterslide, the camera was able to film the above and below portion of the dive seemlessly. There was no light adjustment time. I had to guess a lot at where I was filming underwater as you cannot use the screen at all under there, but after one trial, I was getting all of the action, no problem at all.
  
  For the price and convenience, I would say an amazing success story.
  
  Highly recommended for my family and all families out there.
  
  
• Bum Battery
  By A5M6MBIQ8R91B on 2008-03-26
  Camera had a bad battery. Never worked. Clearly, it wasn't tested before it was shipped. Very poor quality control. I think this will be my last Sanyo purchase.
  
  

• Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12
• Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9
• Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
• Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack
• Adobe Premiere Elements 7

• Transcend TS8GSDHC6 8GB SDHC card (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6)
• Sanyo VCP-STB1 Water Leash for Sanyo E1 Waterproof Camcorders
• Lenmar DLSAL20 Lithium-ion Digital Camera/Camcorder Battery Equivelent to the Sony DB-L20 Battery
• Sanyo DB-L20AU Lithium Ion Battery for Xacti C6 and C40 Camcorders
• SanDisk SDHC Memory Card Bonus MicroMate Reader 4.0 GB SDSDBR-4096-A10