Sanyo VPC-CG65 6MP MPEG-4 Flash Memory Digital Camcorder (Silver)

Review by New Englander for Sanyo VPC-CG65 6MP MPEG-4 Flash Memory Digital Camcorder (Silver)
Rating:
I should preface what follows with the statement that I bought this to replace an “ancient” miniDV camcorder – the original Canon ZR, which has less than stellar autofocus and low-light performance. Even so, I enjoyed using it thoroughly, but was getting tired of the weight and, more importantly, the hassle of downloading from tapes to my computer. Even with Firewire, a thankless and time consuming task.

So – tapes were out, and I don’t trust hard drives, so HDD was out too. That left the Sanyo and assorted DVR camcorders. No doubt there are many wonderful DVR camcorders, and it is quite likely that the better ones take better movies, but I wasn’t going to get something that needed me to buy expensive additinal media with a 20 minute recording time.

I absolutely am stunned with the quality of this hybrid camera. It takes movies that look better than my old miniDV camcorder, blows away digital still camera movie modes, and the picture quality compares favorably to other mid-entry level digital compacts.

The absolute truth behind any great video or photo is this: you better have your camera with you. And this camera makes you want to bring it everywhere. Since I bought it, it hasn’t left my side, and I’ve captured more video of my child in the last week than I have in the last several years, just because the camera is always there.

Sure it could be improved, but Sanyo did a pretty good job. The flash positioning is a bit odd off to the side, but I haven’t noticed any vignetting, and the flash isn’t as weak as the size would indicate. I suspect that was done to avoid errant fingers covering it during operation, as it IS pretty easy to get so engrossed that you don’t notice until a couple seconds in that your finger has strayed to the top of the lens.

The menu system is clear and intuitive, and unlike some reviewers in other forums, I found it easy and logical to use. The screen is good and the overall feeling of the unit is solid, considering the price point. The battery life is not stellar, but not bad either – pretty much what one would expect from the size and capacity. I was able to squeeze about an hour from it, much of it reviewing and taking flash pictures as well as making movies.

The shake reduction feature – I can’t say much about it. I have rock steady hands, and haven’t noticed more than normal amounts of camera movement.

The niggles: in low light, focusing becomes frustrating, if it works at all. Yes, there’s a work around by simply setting up manual focusing using a distance based scale ( it works! ), but an AF- assist light would have been tremendously welcomed.

The case, while undeniably “sexy” and svelte, could have done with some rubberization. Put the strap on RIGHT AWAY when this arrives, and don’t handle the camera without it, lest it slip.

To sum up: if this keeps working as it is now, I’ll be blissfully happy for a long time. I highly recommend this for the family snapshooter to whom portability, value, and simple the fun factor are important.

UPDATE: I can’t figure out how to lower the starred rating, or I would. I’ve now owned two of these and ended up returning them both. I took the first one on vacation with me, and while it performed brilliantly function-wise and was a kick to use, almost every video I took had a rectangular ghost image floating in the lower left quadrant of the screen. It was particularly noticeable when zooming in.

I searched user forums and found very little information, so I hoped I had simply gotten a bad unit.

Enter the replacement unit – same model – same problem, but in an even worse location – top of center. To be fair, it only shows up when shooting with bright light outdoors ( not even into sun, it shows up when you are facing away from the sun or it is overcast ) , but isn’t that exactly what you’d buy a camcorder for??? So, back #2 went, too. I noticed that both cameras also have a really bad flare problem which is exacerbated by the absence of a lens hood and the relative proximity of the lens to the front of the camera body.

I really wished I could have lived with it, but I really don’t want to have my videos ruined by ghostlike gray rectangles in nearly every clip. Sanyo, get with the program already and fix that.