Imagine carrying your camcorder in your pocket? Sanyo VPC-C5 makes it possible. It manages to do so without compromising image quality one bit. It even enhances it. There are two fundamental reasons: 1) All images (still and video) are captured on a tiny SD SecureDigital Memory-Card. No tapes are used or required. 2) It has a 5.2 megapixel CCD to deliver excellent image resolution. The VPC-C5 captures full-frame MPEG-4 compressed digital video. Unlike most digital cameras that take short, small, silent video clips, the VPC-C5 captures movies at a smooth 30 frames-per-second -- the same frame rate standard as broadcast television. Enjoy recording high-quality stereo audio with built-in wind roar reduction for indoor and outdoor use. Easy to use, hold, and carry, the Sanyo VPC-C5 really is among the best camcorders to take with you virtually anywhere. Capture still and video images simultaneously Built-in image stabilization Aound Mode with Wind roar reduction Built-in 3-mode electronic-flash High quality stereo recording (AAC-LC) 5X optical zoom lens / 12X digital zoom Seven scene select modes (auto, sports, portrait, landscape, night view, fireworks, lamp) 15 adjustable manual focus settings Super macro shooting (down to a distance of 1cm) Self timer (2 seconds/10 seconds) 2.0 trans-reflective LCD screen for easier viewing in direct sunlight Rechargeable lithium ion battery Talking navigation guide Webcam function PictBridge compatible for printing images directly to a PictBridge compatible printer - without a computer USB 2.0 & S-Video output - Data transfer capable to PC or Macintosh computer or to a TV device 128MB SD SecureDigital card included - We suggest buying an optional 256MB or 512MB SD Card for more practical use Unit Dimensions - 2.7 x 4.3 x 0.9
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: A great multipurpose camera/camcorder Comment: I've had this unit for about 3 months and have to say I'm very impressed. The main benefit of this camera is that it is both a 5mp camera and a camcorder (and a webcam and a voice recorder, havent tried those functions yet) even though I use this "toy" primarily for the still images. Photos are what you would expect from a high end 5mp camera (10mp interpolated), and the video is pretty decent for a camera of its size, but when there is poor lighting watch out - your videos may turn out completely black. As well, even though you can record up to 50 or so minutes on a standard 1gb SD card, you'll need about 3 batteries to do so since they last roughly 20 minutes each. The only other downside I've seen with the camera is the weird autofocus at closer ranges since it sometimes picks out images about 3 to 5 meters behind what your trying to shoot, and the lens noise is somewhat annoying. I would recommend this camera to just about anyone looking to get into the digital scene (unless you have big hands since this unit is small), but not by paying retail price for it - deals are out there, and the prices are lower due to the C6 coming out. Bracketman@gmail.com Customer Rating: Summary: Mostly Excellent Comment: I've had my C5 for about 2 weeks and so far I love it - it has only a few minor drawbacks.
Pros:
* MPEG4 and SD Card storage (primary reasons I got this camera)
* Size - it easily fits in my front jean-pocket
* Ease of use - it's exceedingly simple to offload images and videos from the camera to your PC - I just put it in the USB docking and charging station and then use a mixture of Picasa (for the pictures) and manual cut and paste for the videos (Picasa doesn't recognize the MP4 extension, unfortunately)
* Image quality is good, at least when the lighting is adequate
Cons:
* Since the field of view is different between stills and video, taking pictures at the same time as the video is confusing to some - I'd reccommend using the B mode which displays a smaller video frame inside the still picture frame, rather than the A mode which "zooms out" when you take the still photo.
* The zoom/focus makes an audibly discernable noice (left speaker only) when zooming in/out
* Haven't found any support information at Sanyo's site - luckily so far I haven't needed it
* Using it as a PC/Web camera is more difficult than it ought to be
* Internal battery - no possibility of getting a larger battery
To be determined:
* How much exactly can I fit on a 1GB SD card? So far it's looking like it takes about 20MB per minute (in High Quality VGA, 30 fps), so I should have about 50 minutes or so, but I haven't tested this yet.
* How long does the battery last? Customer Rating: Summary: Maybe I got a defective unit... Comment: Having done some research I purchased this to replace my 3Mega Pix canon that works fine but doesn't allow quality video. I couldn't wait until it arrived. I am one of those "read through the manual first" kind of people and once I did I proceed to use the camera. I took my first picture in the late evening with normal room light. The picture was aweful... even my 6 yr old said so. There was red halo around my wife and son in the picture, and there were red and green grainy pixals throughout the picture. Understand I am no photo expert, the poor quality was clearly seen by anyone. I thought maybe it was just the image on the LCD screen, but when I printed it on our photo printer it was terrible. I remembered reading about the short flash distance so I moved in closer and moved my subjects to a better lit room... still aweful... changed filters nothing better. I was at the highest picture quality seting, so I selected a lower setting.... still no improvement. I was more bummed than anything else. As I thought this was the gizmo I was always looking for. I cannot believe anyone said this had good picture quality unless mine was defective.... At this price I am not willing to give it a second shot. I will go with the larger but better featured cannon for less money. I will say it did a fine job with the video... but picture quality, on mine, wasn't up to a 1 mega pixal toy... I sent it back this morning. Customer Rating: Summary: This is exactly what i had dreamed ! Comment: i perform dance. since i don't have my official photographer/videotographer, i have to carry both my still camera and a video camera in addition to costume and more, locally and internationally. it had been pain in my neck. however, this device is sooo light and sharp ! my problem is gone. thanx God ! excellent quality as a still camera & a camcorder as well. if you read the instruction book well before use, you can mute the operation sound. Perfect ! Customer Rating: Summary: Digital Marvel Comment: Camera is great for shooting both live action video (Up to 1 hours) as well as still images (5 MegaPixel) with a 1GB card SD card. You can actually shoot a still image while you are shooting video - Yes, both at the same time!!! Camera is ultra compact and ultra cool in looks and style. MPEG-4 recordings playback flawlessly on either my Mac at home or my Windows at work. MPEG-4 movies also e-mail quite easily. It is so light and convenient that I shoot more with it since it is always with me.
