Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1

Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1 camcorder provides very good performance for its quite reasonable price. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1 is a low-priced digital camcorder ($500 as of 9/25/2009) that delivers good-looking video and stills, with image quality just slightly trailing that of HD camcorders priced nearly three times as much. However, the tradeoff comes in its lack of bells and whistles. The VPC-FH1 omits several features that make those more-expensive cameras easier to use under many conditions, and pricier models also provide users with more image control. For some potential buyers, more-expensive camcorders such as the Canon Vixia HF S10 and the Panasonic HDC-TM300 (both $1300) are worth their cost. For many others, the Xacti VPC-FH1 will be a stellar value. The Sanyo camcorder uses a single 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor to capture 1920-by-1080 video at 60 progressive frames per second (60p), 60 interlaced frames per second (60i), or 30 progressive frames per second (30p). The camera can also record 720/30p video and 8-megapixel stills.