Sanyo VPC-FH1A Full HD Video and 8 MP Digital Photos (Black)
by SANYO
Our Price: $711.74
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $384.00 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SANYOModel: VPC-FH1aBK
Color: Black
Product features:
- 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)
- Compatible with iFrame video format
- Pinnacle Studio HD V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 [OLD VERSION]
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Nero 9 [OLD VERSION]
- Final Cut Studio - Old Version
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sanyo VPC-FH1A Full HD Video and 8 MP Digital Photos (Black)
Customer Review: Unbeatable value
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my fifth camcorder, and as to be expected as technology advances, by far the best. The features have been described enough times that they need little repetition, but for those finding fault, there's barely any aspect of this device which either doesn't perform to remarkably high standards, or which can't be worked around to ensure good results.
To start, the VPC-FH1a is diminutive and lightweight. Fitting easily in the palm of the hand and weighing just a few ounces, it can be comfortably carried for prolonged periods and fits inside a jacket pocket or a remarkably small bag. Battery life is a very credible 2+ hours, and with between 1.5 and almost 4 hours HD record time on a 16Gb SD card (depending on resolution) and 11 hours at standard definition, this camcorder packs quite a punch and lends credence to the saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. The FH1 is small and light enough to be exactly that.
There are certainly better camcorders than this, and most offer at least some degree of stills/video combined functionality, but as prices fall there are none that come within a light year of this quality at this level of cost.
Image quality in video is truly excellent, though at 1080p 60fps the resulting files require a fairly powerful system for editing work. The range of video modes is such that there are good compromises to be had for almost any kind of video and system. Colours are crisp and well saturated and images sharp. It's not such good news for photos however, because while images are certainly good, there's softness and loss of definition in comparison to even inexpensive point-and-shoot digicams. With a little work in Photoshop, images can be sharpened and balanced and come out acceptably at least, but the different focal lengths between video and photo mode means that photos are difficult to frame accurately as the zoom level changes between modes.
The only difference between the FH1 and FH1a models is that the latter offers 'iFrame compatibility', am Apple-promoted video mode in native iMovie format which offers 960x540 resolution at 30fps. This might seem relatively poor by 1080p standard, but the bit rate is high so it is less 'lossy'. The FH1a defaults to this mode. Of note, the FH1a can't stake stills while capturing video in 960x540 mode. It can, like the FH1, in all the others however.
There's been a lot of criticism of the image stabilization but it does actually work. As ever with digital stabilization it doesn't do a particularly good job, but even zoomed in, if the cam has a stable image to begin with, or can be held still enough during the shot, it will 'lock' onto the image and steady it quite effectively. It's no substitute for even a basic tripod or other support, and unlike optical stabilization it's no real benefit with panning or other sideways moving images, but it's generally good enough to get the shot even if it takes a bit of care and thought.
There are also widespread comments about slow autofocus and focus drift, and these are valid enough if the cam is left in auto mode. However, the FH1 offers a great and simple workaround by providing the option to assign 'shortcuts' to the 'set' joystick/button. With manual focus assigned to the downward toggle it's a simple thumb movement to take charge of the camera if needed. And while manual focus is in incremental steps rather than continuous, tapping (or holding) the set button to the left or right in manual focus mode makes it quick and easy to get the focus right in almost every situation.
Low light performance isn't great, but there are few camcorders that do much better, even at notably higher cost. It is possible to juggle settings manually to get less grainy results, but low light is low light and short of a camcorder specifically designed to cope, there are always limits to how dimly lit you can go and still get usable video. That said, the FH1 is not all that bad, and is better than many of the competition, while providing access to manual mode which at least allows considerably more flexibility than many other camcorders can offer.
There are truly excellent aspects of using this camcorder. Aside from the size and weight, the controls are very basic and therefore wonderfully simple. Using the FH1 in conventional mode the buttons fall comfortably under the thumb and are easy to feel, making mis-operation quite difficult. Given the size, it would have been a great addition to have had video and photo buttons on the top by the lens as Sanyo has done on the VPC-SH1, to make this comfortably usable when being held at waist level not just at shoulder and above where the rear controls fall to hand, but this is only a minor omission and is far from commonplace anyway.
One serious criticism however is that for those used to carrying a spare battery for prolonged shoots, the FH1 doesn't retain user settings even in the brief time it takes to swap out the battery. Startup, sound, video and photo mode, shortcuts and any other user configured settings will all need to be done again after the battery is changed. If the cam is powered from the mains while the batteries are swapped, the settings are retained, but in the field it's unlikely there's a suitable power source! This seems a bad oversight in an otherwise quire remarkable device.
All in all, the VPC-FH1 would be good value around the $350 price tag it has been available at from various sources for some time, but at the current sub-$300 cost, it's a rare bargain and should figure in anyone's consideration of an HD camcorder. It isn't perfect, and it can take a bit of thought to make the most of it, but the shortcomings of this camcorder are remarkably few and far between once you start using it.
Description of Sanyo VPC-FH1A Full HD Video and 8 MP Digital Photos (Black)
Take stunning Full 1080p High Definition video at 60fps and amazing 8 megapixel digital photos! The Sanyo FH1A Dual Camera is also the world's first camcorder that is compatible with iFrame. The new iFrame video format can dramatically speed the process of importing, editing, and sharing your videos. The FH1A delivers high performance results with multiple features normally found on much higher priced video and photo cameras. The FH1A packs tons of features which are sure to please the most discerning user; including 600fps slow motion mode, face chasing technology which automatically reads and corrects focus and lighting for up to 12 different subjects, and 16x optical zoom for video. Its compact design makes the FH1A extremely portable and easy to use.
Camcorders
Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Camcorders
Panansonic PV-L671 VHS-C Camcorder with 3.0" LCDPanasonic; Digital Camera
Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still ModeSharp; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Panasonic PV-L751 VHS-C Camcorder with 4" LCD and PhotoShot Built-in Digital Still CameraPanasonic; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GRDVL805U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still ModeJVC; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA CC6373 VHS-C AutoShot CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GR-DVM50U Digital CybercamJVC; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA PRO854 Hi8 CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony DCRTRV310 Handycam Digital CamcorderSony; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Hitachi Hi8 Video CamcorderHitachi; Digital Camera
Hitachi 8mm Camcorder with 2 1/ 2" LCDHitachi; Digital Camera
Similar Digital Cameras & Photo Products
SanDisk SDSDHV-016G-A15 16GB Video HD SDHC Card (Black)SanDisk; CE
Best price: $31.98
Price in other shops:
AmazonBasics Camcorder/ Camera Bag with Shoulder Strap (Black)AmazonBasics; Digital Camera
Best price: $13.04
Abacus24-7 Mini-HDMI to HDMI Cable, 6 feet- NOT Compatible with HTC EVO 4G / Droid XAbacus24-7; CE
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
Transcend 16 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC6ETRANSCEND; CE
Best price: $22.62
Sanyo DB-L50 Camcorder Battery Charger - TechFuel® AC & DC Compatible Travel Battery ChargerBatteryheads; Digital Camera
Best price: $13.95
Price in other shops:
Zeikos ZE-FLK37 37mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD)Zeikos; Digital Camera
Best price: $12.79
Price in other shops:
Precision Design Camcorder Padded Carrying Case for Sanyo VPC-CA9, VPC-HD2000, VPC-FH1, VPC-TH1, VPC-WH1, VPC-CG10, VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD700, VPC-CG6 & VPC-C6 CamcordersPrecision Design; Digital Camera
Best price: $7.95
Sanyo DB-L50 Camcorder Battery - Premium TechFuel® BatteryBatteryheads; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Transcend 16 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC6TRANSCEND; CE
Best price: $18.25
Price in other shops:
Lithium-Ion Battery + Battery Charger with Car Adapter for Sanyo Xacti VPC-TH1 / VPC-TH1BL / VPC-WH1 / VPC-WH1YL / VPC-WH1BL / VPC-FH1 / VPC-FH1BK / VPC-HD1000 / VPC-HD1010 / Kodak Z Series EasyShare Z730 / EasyShare Z7590 / EasyShare Z760Bargaincell; Digital Camera
Best price: $4.75