Product Review: Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000A 8 Megapixel HD 1080p Camcorder

Though many camcorders claim to be high definition, few of them are a full 1080p. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000A camcorder allows you to record high resolution videos in bright clarity. Unlike most pocket HD camcorders, the HD2000A offers features that a pro would look for, making this camcorder a good option for someone filming a low-budget film or high-quality YouTube videos.

If you're looking for a small high definition camcorder that offers ample features and good video quality, read on to find out if this is the camera for you.

Features

The VPC-HD2000A has a 2.7" LCD screen, 10x optical zoom, and 16x digital zoom, as well as a pop-up flash, which is unusual on this type of camera. Being a dual camera, the VPC-HD2000A not only takes videos, but also takes still images. Still images can be taken with the press of a shutter button, or in a continuous burst mode, which snaps 16 images per second.

High definition videos can be played back on an HDTV via the included HDMI cables included with the package. All videos are recorded using the H.264 codec, which produces very sharp high definition content while compressing the videos a great deal in order to avoid uncommonly large file sizes.

Video Quality

Video quality is very high, though there is an uncomfortable amount of noise in low-light images (this is to be expected with digital camcorders).

Image Quality

Still images are very nice, but not as you would get from a digital camera of the same price.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is very good, though it is better to use an external microphone via the port on the camera.

Conclusions

This camcorder is quite possibly the best 'pocket' HD camera on the market (I put pocket in parenthesis because you'd be hard pressed to jam this in a pocket anywhere on your person). The lens is large and crisp, while the external mic port ensures that you'll get good audio without bothersome zoom gear noises. Smaller than most other camcorders on the market, the HD2000A fills the need of the niche shooter who needs the lightest high definition camcorder available with the best image quality and features he can get. A very good choice overall.