Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 (black) preview

Sanyo is the company which is renowned for its electronic device manufacturing. Now it has steeped in creating the new category of combo devices. Xacti camcorder model from Sanyo was dubbed into dual cameras. You can shoot videos as well as take still photos. Some of the important key specifications are as below:

With the price tag of $199.99, this camera has SDHC card but no internal memory, weighs around 6.6 oz, with 2.8×4.4×1.5-inch dimensions, 3-inch LCD with 230K dots resolution, 10MP resolution, 2.3-inch CMOS sensor size and type, 5x zoom, videos can be stored in mp4 format, photo and video resolution is 3648 x 2736 and 1280 x 720, recording time is 3hrs-51mins and Li-Ion rechargeable battery with 70 mins of rated life.

The CG10 in incorporated with the Sanyo’s pistol grip body which is quite familiar. There is a 5x optical zoom lens which is big enough and is of high quality with rotating LCD. This is perfect when you want to take a video or shoot above / below your eye level. The lens solely ads to the whole size, still it’s a light weight pocket device. The grip provided is good and is wide, so you can use the camera very comfortably. The placement of the screen is easier when it is done it right hand and when camera is held in left hand. The stereo microphone is present at the back of the screen in which the audio is very good. The flash is present beneath the lens but doesn’t act like a video light. The body of the camera is made up of silky, lustrous plastic and you need to wipe it always to maintain pristine. LCD cavity Handgrip is the only portion which is not glossy in this camera. Handgrip has a matte black finish with fake leather grains.

SDHC card slot doorway and the power button are found near the handgrip. USB / AV jack and threaded tripod mounting is found at the bottom of the camera. Only a composite out cable is given with the camcorder, despite being HD and this component cable costs $25 extra. There is no option for HDMI poet in this camcorder. At the back, all the controls are packed up tight together but they are easily reachable for swift maneuvering of thumb. A video record button is present at the upper right region and the shutter release for photos is present on the left and spring loaded slider for zoom is present in between them. Petite five way joystick helps in selecting and navigating things and is present below video recorder button. There is also the menu and play buttons which are used for programming and bringing up CG10’s complete settings menu or a simple set of options. Joystick used in here can be programmed to change things quickly to things like flash, selecting manual, ISO, exposure compensation and macro or standard focus. Ultimately when you consider all these, this CG10 is a robust, efficient device.

The best thing in this CG10 is that it is an excellent device with the shooting options rounding out both photos and videos. This is included with the AF, scene modes, face-detection, exposure focus, ISO controls and filters. What all you get for photos will be available for movies too including the semi manual and manual controls which you don’t find in other pocket camcorders. Performance of the camcorder on the whole is slow. AF system is pokey sometimes when the movie is recorded in bright conditions also. You can shoot continuously up to 11 frames but when considering the speed matter, it’s improved. The video quality in here is better than HD. The colors are natural and exposure is also typically good. The clipping is highlight. Light performance is very low. Though it has some cons, it is best and good option for both video and photo. Even the video quality is better than the photos and it’s worth for the money you pay.