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

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.

I purchased this camera for fun at the beach with my daughter. I followed the instructions to properly, closed the battery/SD card compartment as directed and double checked to make sure it was closed and this camera still failed in less than 10 minutes in the water. However that is not why I am giving it a 1 star rating. It was a decent camera for the price, just not waterproof.

The reason it gets a 1 star rating is because hidden in the Exclusions section of th warranty (which I should have read closer when I first got it) is this little gem: ....waterproof gasket, broken or damaged batteries ...

That sounds to me like they were expecting it to fail, even if it was used properly, and didn't want to be responsible for the repair or the replacement. So don't get this camera if you want a waterproof video camera. In retrospect, now that I am out $400+ I should have spent a little more for a good digital camera and bought one of the waterproof housings that Divers use.

The Sanyo Xacti is amazing. Its small and compact, waterproof, takes excellent video and surprisingly good still photos. Its almost the perfect camera. I would like to add HD support and a slightly better autofocus system but other than that, pretty impressive.

The light is very good in the pictures.
Very portable. The battery could be better.
I recommend.

It's very simple to use and you don't need to read a manual.
Multi use for photos and video so it's the only thing you need for travel. Waterproof makes it great for rainy days and any water related activities even you are not in the water literally.