[Macworld]

Post your comments for Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 here

[don731]

I own this camera, and overall this is a fair review. A quick google search will show that owners are posting online their set of tweaks and settings to achieve superior video and stills over the default settings. Use of a card reader in the expresscard slot of our MBP offers much faster transfer of video versus the usb connection to the camera itself. Overall for a dual use inexpensive camera, we are pleased with this model. It also comes in a red color sold by Radio Shack. Price deals are common driving the cost down to the $150-170 range.

[Dewdman42]

Its also the best pocket camara with an actual optical zoom yes?

[chriswaco]

Dewdman42, on 26 September 2009 - 02:53 PM, said:

Its also the best pocket camara with an actual optical zoom yes?

That's really the point, right? The Flip cameras are cute and all, but without a zoom lens they are all but worthless at the school play.

[heatherluvzxactis]

OOOOOH, I do NOT agree at all with the negatives in ur review. First off, I see uve scored the flipultra higher than this camcorder. I just don't understand what's not to like. YES, this is a camcorder in the $200 price range, so NO, it is not going to have the quality of a $500 camcorder. BUT, this is the BEST one of its class. It has very vital options, like iso, white balance, scene selector, exposure, brightness. It also doubles as a camera. It does a very good job filming videos indoors, and u wont have to worry about a blue cast like the flip. also, the 5x optical, and 20x zoom is great. The zoom is quiet. I've yet to notice the zoom reflecting noise in my videos. I LOVE the macro focus. I've done a story recently where I had to get a photo of my own of some small print, and the xacti did beautifully. I also appreciate the fact that when u watch ur video back on the camcorder, u can go frame by frame and take photos of all the frames u need (a useful perk for journalism students). These pix u get off ur playbacks arent 12pm, but they are still look good, and u can use them. When shooting indoors, though, u MUST go and manually adjust the iso. You need to do this to get rid of some of the graininess. U can compensate for lowering the iso by using the brightness option and white balance option, and put all together, u can make quite impressive video indoors. I bought the webbie and took it back the NEXT day because it did so poorly indoors. I also took back the flip due to the lack of any options. I went to a professional camera store, and talked to the manager, and the first thing he did was put the flip aside and said "Obviously, I'm not a fan of the flip." I couldnt agree more. people, PLEASE don't go with what's trendy, go with what's quality, and even the manager i spoke to said for the class the xacti's in, it is the best u can buy. And that was on sale for $50 LESS than the flip. It's just a better camera. and ull have no need to get a digital camera, it does it all, and the very MANY options are vital. YES, it takes time to learn all the options, but it is worth it. u end up with a more professional video. Also, for the taking stills, I love the sequential mode. This is very useful when taking photos of meteorological events. This TRULY is an all in one camcorder. It takes the hd video i need, with plenty of still photo options, inclucding taking still while u are filming videos seamlessly, and also taking stills during playback mode. u can also just use it as a voice recorder (just like the digital camera version- sanyo vpc-x1200 which i HIGHLY recommend if ur only looking for a digital camera, and can do without hd videos. it does have a video with audio option, but it's not hd, and u dont have the still taking option while filming or watching video playback. but it's $100 cheaper, so if u don't need all of these video options, and can just settle w/o it, I'd very much recommend the vpc-x1200). This is the BEST. don't be fooled by trends, GO WITH XACTI!<3

[heatherluvzxactis]

Dewdman42, on 26 September 2009 - 02:53 PM, said:

Its also the best pocket camara with an actual optical zoom yes?

Yes, this is, I would imagine. The indoor quality is very good, once u play with the iso brightness and white balance. The flip is just a trend. Like someone else said underneath ur comment, the flip is useless, it has no zoom. i think it has like 2x digital zoom. yes i said two, thats not a mistake. this really is the best way to go for the price.

[ChrisGnyc]

This camcorder can NOT be recommend if you are a MAC USER and wish to connect the camera to your computer. Page 150 of the user manual states that the camera can ONLY be used as a video source for computers running Windows Vista or Windows XP. Though it comes with a USB cable, it does not recognize a Mac (I can also vouch for this myself. The manual does not lie. I can speak first hand. I am returning mine tomorrow). Furthermore, even if you are on a Windows machine, the optical zoom is disabled when in "PC Camera" mode. So the whole optical zoom is worthless if you wish to use to to stream video (the only reason I bought it).

If you intend to ever use this as a video source for your computer, DO NOT. And if you're on a MAC you cannot.

Buyer beware.

[Jim]

ChrisGnyc, on 03 March 2010 - 05:31 PM, said:

This camcorder can NOT be recommend if you are a MAC USER and wish to connect the camera to your computer. Page 150 of the user manual states that the camera can ONLY be used as a video source for computers running Windows Vista or Windows XP. Though it comes with a USB cable, it does not recognize a Mac (I can also vouch for this myself. The manual does not lie. I can speak first hand. I am returning mine tomorrow). Furthermore, even if you are on a Windows machine, the optical zoom is disabled when in "PC Camera" mode. So the whole optical zoom is worthless if you wish to use to to stream video (the only reason I bought it).

If you intend to ever use this as a video source for your computer, DO NOT. And if you're on a MAC you cannot.

Buyer beware.

While what you are saying about the manual is indeed true, I just tried a little harder than you did I think.

I knew USB was USB so it had to know it was there -- I am on an intel macbook pro --- and I selected PC Camera -- then instead of PC-Camera I chose Card Reader instead --- and then NO NAME fired up and iPhoto opened up.

I am copying the clips from my daughter's softball game right now and will let everyone know if they don't come through like champions!! (the clips that is, as the girls tied!!! I Know, a tie in softball!!)