|
|
Original dpnow.com coverage of the Initial hands-on impressions of Sanyo's compact ground-breaking new hybrid digital still and movie camera, click here
Released by Sanyo:
Superb Image and Sound Quality on the Move
Many digital still cameras have the ability to record a few minutes of video, but very few can achieve a high-quality performance for both still and moving images. Conventional digital still cameras can record a limited time of video, but the resolution is usually far from adequate. Digital video cameras, on the other hand, are designed especially to capture moving images, so often fail to provide the still-image quality of film photography. This is where Sanyo comes in, with an entirely new concept in digital movies.
Compact enough to fit inside a shirt pocket, the Xacti C1 incorporates MPEG-4 digital recording for high-quality images and sound. The Xacti C1's cutting-edge design offers the ideal combination of portability and high performance. Its sleek smallest (149cc) and lightweight (155g) body makes it easy to shoot one-handed. With the ergonomic Xacti C1 in hand, the user enjoys a comfortable and steady filming style.
Storage comes in the form of an SD card, which lets users film up to 30min of Broadcast-quality (VGA/30fps) or a hour of VHS-quality moving images. *1 And, while shooting moving images, users can also capture still images with a simple shutter press. A genuine all-round performer, the Xacti C1 achieves Broadcast-quality VGA shooting and high-resolution 3.2 megapixel still images.
When not in use, the Xacti C1 charges up in its docking station. From there, it can be connected to a TV *2 or computer *3 for full-screen playback. Recorded video images can be saved to a computer's hard drive with simple drag-and-drop operation, or just as easily they can be saved on a DVD recorder. Included software, meanwhile, gives users the convenience of editing both video and still images. The Xacti C1 is a unique, multi-task device able to handle moving and still images with equal aplomb.
*1 When using a 512MB SD memory card.
*2 A TV connection cable is needed.
*3 A USB connection cable is needed.
Fast-Shooting, High-Quality Images Anytime, Anywhere
Introducing the Ultra-Portable, Pocket-Size Digital Movie
| Full Product Name | Digital Movie Camera |
| Product Number | VPC-C1 |
| Colour | Silver |
| Nick Name | Xacti |
1. Fast Shooting Anytime, Anywhere Digital Movie C1
1) Compact Enough to Fit in a Shirt Pocket
The Xacti C1's ultra-compact design (69 x 34 x 108mm) and lightweight 155g body allow for a range of shooting possibilities.
Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in one hand, this portable digital movie camera can be used for extended periods,
without putting strain on the user's wrist. The vertical design also makes it easier to keep arms steady during use.
2) Easy Viewing and Fast Shooting with SD Memory Card
For storage, the Xacti C1 uses a SD memory card*. Since video clips are recorded and stored in easy-to-browse digital format,
time is saved rewinding and fast-forwarding to a chosen scene. The Xacti C1's fast start-up, meanwhile, makes it ideal for
sudden photo opportunities.
* Ships with 128MB memory card.
2. Digital Recording for Exceptional Picture and Sound Quality
1) High-Resolution MPEG-4 for Broadcast-Quality Digital Video Recording
With the Xacti C1, video images can be played back at high resolution, even on a large-screen TV. The Xacti C1's MPEG-4
recording technology achieves VGA-size (640 x 480 pixels) resolution at 30 fps. And with the Xacti C1's 1GB SD card, users
can record approximately 60 minutes of Broadcast-quality video.
2) Digital Recording with Realistic Stereo Sound
3) Super-Efficient 3.2 Megapixel CCD
A built-in stereo microphone enables 2-channel, 16-bit sound for AAC-LC (MPEG-4 audio). Connecting the Xacti C1 to a
television or computer allows users to recreate recorded scenes with impressively realistic audio.
The Xacti C1 employs an efficient 3.2 megapixel CCD, which enables users to shoot both TV-quality, VGA-size video images
and high-resolution 3.2 megapixel still images.
4) Handy Docking Station for Immediate Shooting and Convenient Playback
Storing the Xacti C1 in its handy docking station ensures that it's always charged and ready for use. And, when it's time to play back recorded images, a USB/AV terminal provides instant connection to a TV or PC. The Xacti C1 can be hooked up directly, or hooked up via the docking station.
5) Large-Diameter 24mm 5.8x Optical Zoom Lens with ND Filter
The Xacti C1 employs a 5.8x optical zoom lens with a F3.5 aperture. Together with the 10x digital zoom, it provides up to 60x zoom capability, for an enhanced range of shooting. Even if images are shot from far away, the Xacti C1 captures a high level of detail. Despite its compact size, the Xacti C1's lens system comprises a total of 11 large-diameter 24mm lenses. There are 8 different types of lens, including two adjacent aspheric lenses.
6) Still and Video Images Captured Simultaneously
If the shutter is pressed while a video is being shot, a high-quality still image can be captured. The Xacti C1 enables simultaneous still- and moving-picture shooting, with still pictures taken this way achieving a pixel count of 640 x 480 (VGA).
7) Thin, Compact Lithium-Ion Battery Gives 60 Minutes of High-Quality Recording
3. A Revolution in Digital Video Recording
1) High-Resolution Digital Recording
The Xacti C1 employs MPEG-4 digital recording for easy connection to the user's computer. Recorded video images can be saved to a computer's hard drive with simple drag-and-drop operation. The Xacti C1's included software, meanwhile, allows users to edit their video images as well as make videos on a VCR, video CDs on a CD recorder, or DVDs on a DVD recorder. Along with such high-resolution storage, the Xacti C1 offers high-resolution playback of video images, via AV-connection to a VCR or DVD player.
2) Personal Video Clips for E-mail or Home Pages
Once files have been loaded from the Xacti C1 to a computer, they can be conveniently compressed. Doing so allows users to send video clips or still images by e-mail, or upload video clips to a home page.
3) Digital Recording for Easy Play and Erase
Recorded images can be browsed and found quickly, with the Xacti C1's convenient menu. Once a menu item has been selected, users can watch recorded images as separate video clips, or watch them as a continuous video montage, which includes a slide-show of still images stored in memory. Video images can be erased with a simple menu selection, too.
www.sanyo.co.uk
Continued
4. Digital Camera Function for High-Quality Digital Still Images
| Scene Select Shot
For those new to the world of digital cameras, these handy
modes offer short-cuts to optimal images under a range of
different shooting conditions. | Filter Functions
Select one of the following filter modes to add a spark of
originality to your photos |
| Sports Mode
Allows users to catch a fast-moving subject,
right in the middle of the action. | Cosmetic Mode
Enhances the appearance of the subject's skin
in close-up photos. |
| Portrait Mode
Gives the photographic subject more presence,
by putting the background into soft-focus. | Slim Mode
Adjusts the screen aspect ratio to fit more into the shot.
|
| Landscape Mode
Captures the subtle color and light gradations of distant scenery | Monochrome Mode
Emphasises light and shadow to achieve more
atmospheric shots. |
| Night View Mode
Lets users clearly shoot both a foregrounded subject and
any ambient illumination against a night-time background. | Sepia Mode
Changes the color tone for a classic, nostalgic look
|
| Lamp Mode
Allows users to capture fine details under candlelight and lamp light. | Ghost Mode
Highlights a subject's movement against a static background. |
N.B. Above modes also compatible with video shooting.
5. Other Features
Trans-reflective Low-Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD
The Xacti C1 features a bright, low-temperature polysilicon Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD, with a high resolution of 110,000 pixels. This TFT LCD employs a semi-transmissive panel to alleviate problems caused by light reflection in sunny weather. In direct sunlight, users can turn off the back light if it is not needed, and enjoy a clear on-screen image.
Super Macro Shooting, Down to a Minimum Distance of 2cm
In wide angle mode, it's possible to capture images in highly-detailed close-up; the lens can be as close as 2cm from the subject.
Multi-Play & Edit Enable In-Camera Cutting and Splicing of Moving Images
Moving images stored in the camera can easily be captured and kept as still images. Video footage can also be edited in-camera, without users having to first load it onto a computer. By removing unwanted images, space is freed in the camera's memory.
Fast Shooting on Opening and Automatic Shutdown on Closing of the LCD Panel
5-point Area AF for Fewer Out-of-Focus Shots
Talking Navigation Guides First-Time Users
Zoom-and-Crop Recording (Max. 32x Zoom in 3.2M Mode)
Autofocus Captures Nearby or Faraway Targets, Without the Need for hanging to Macro Mode (Min. 20cm, Max. Infinity)
Voice Recorder Function Enables up to 4 Hours *1 of Continuous Voice Recording
Dual Menus Provide Users a Choice to Match Their Level of Expertise
Exif Print *2 Incorporates Photographic Information for More Faithful Printing
Compatible with PictBridge for PC-Free Printing
Supplied PC Kit Includes High-Performance Movie Software
Ulead Video Studio 7 SE DVD MPEG-4 for Editing of MPEG-4 Video and Translation to DVD Video
Ulead Photo Explorer 8.0 SE Basic MPEG-4 Allows Creation of Video CDs
Motion Director SE 1.0 Compensates for Jiggle and Creates Composite Panorama Pictures from Panned Video Shots
Quick Time 6.3 for Playback in MPEG-4 Format
*1 With SD memory card over 256 MB.
*2 Informal name of the global-standard Exif Ver 2.2, the latest digital camera file format.
6. Specifications
| Effective pixel count | Approx. 3.2 megapixels |
| CCD | 1/2.7 inch, 3.34 megapixel CCD (total) |
| Recording media | SD Memory Card |
| Recording file formats | Still pictures: JPEG, DCF * 1 , DPOF * 2 , Exif Ver2.2 * 3Video clips: ISO standard MPEG-4 (simple profile) Audio: AAC (stereo) |
| Resolution (pixels) | Still shots: 3.2M mode: 2048 x 1536, 2.0M mode: 1600 x 1200, 0.3M mode: 640 x 480Movie clips: TV-SHQ mode: 640 x 480/30fps/3Mbps, TV-HQ mode: 640 x 480/30fps/2Mbps,
TV-S mode: 320 x 240/30fps, Web-HQ mode: 320 x 240/15fps, Web-S mode: 176 x 144/15fps, |
| Lens | f = 5.8-33.8mm (38-220mm on a 35mm camera), 5.8x optical zoom lens
F: 3.5 (W) - 3.7 (T), AF: 8 groups, 11 lenses, built-in ND filter |
| Photo range | Standard: 20 cm (wide) / 30 cm (tele) to infinity, Super macro: 2 cm (wide) / 30 cm (tele) to 50 cm |
| Shutter Speed | Still pictures: 1/2 ~ 1/2000 sec. (Flash: 1/30 ~ 1/2000 sec., Lamp mode: max. 2 sec.)
Movie clip: 1/30 ~ 1/10000 sec. |
| Digital zoom | Shooting: 10x max., Playback: 32x max. (3.2M mode, depending on the resolution) |
| Auto Focus | 5-point area AF |
| Program AE | Auto/Sports/Portrait/Night View/Landscape/Lamp |
| Filter function | Standard/Cosmetic/Slim/Monochrome/Sepia/Ghost |
| Photometry | Multi-spot |
| Exposure correction | ±1.8 EV (in 0.3 EV steps) |
| Flicker reduction | Yes |
| Sensitivity | Still: Auto (ISO 50-200), Manual (ISO 50/100/200/400)
Video clips: Auto (ISO 200-800), Manual (ISO 200/400/800/1600) |
| Self timer | 2 sec./10 sec |
| White balance | Full: Auto TTL, Manual: Fine/Cloud/Fluorescent light/Incandescent lamp/White setting |
| Flash | Auto/Forced/Off (Slow synchro mode possible in Night View Mode) |
| Audio | Microphone: Built-in stereo, Speaker: Built-in monaural (L/R mixed output) |
| LCD monitor | 110,000-pixel, 1.5-inch, Trans-reflective Low Temprature TFT colour LCD
(Coverage 100% when connected with designated AV connection cable, 7-level brightness) |
| Interface | AV output (Video: PAL/ NTSC composite video, Audio: Stereo sound via docking station or connecting adaptor), USB 2.0 high-speed mode (via docking station or connecting adaptor) |
| Power source | Lithium-ion battery (DB-L20, included), Recharging AC adapter (VAR-L20, included) |
| Approx. battery life | Still shooting: approx. 160 stills (3.2M mode), Video clips: approx. 60 min. (TV-HQ)
Playback: approx. 130 min. |
| Dimensions | 69 (W) x 34 (D) x 108 (H) mm (149 cc) |
| Weight | 155g approx. (main unit only), 174g approx. (including battery and SD memory card) |
| Included accessories | Sanyo Software Pack 7.0 CD-ROM, Docking station, Connecting adaptor, Dedicated USB
connection cable, Dedicated AV connection cable, 128MB SD Memory Card,
Lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor/battery recharger (100 - 240V) and cable, Soft case,
Hand strap, Lens cap, Remote control |
*1 DCF is the abbreviation for Design rule for Camera File system, established by the Japan Engineering Information Technology Association (JEITA).
*2 The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) is a format for recording on storage media information such as the number of frames and copies desired for printing of images taken on the digital camera.
*3 SD Memory Card at room temperature fully charged using supplied recharger. Based on 1 shot every 20 sec. with 33% flash. Playback based on slideshow of still shots. Results may vary according to operating conditions.
Video Recording time
| SD Memory Card | MPEG-4 Video Recording Time (Total) |
| Capacity/ Mode | TV-SHQ | TV-HQ | TV-S | Web-HQ | Web-S |
| 512MB | 21min 02sec | 30min 39sec | 1hour 21min | 2hour 03min | 2hour 42min |
| 256MB | 10min 26sec | 15min 12sec | 40min 11sec | 58min 11sec | 1hour 14min |
| 128MB Accessory | 5min 14sec | 7min 37sec | 20min 10sec | 29min 11sec | 37min 36sec |
Still Image Capacity
| SD Memory Card | Still Image Capacity |
| Capacity/ Mode | 3.2M pixel | 2.0M pixel | 0.3M pixel |
| 512MB | 491 | 785 | 3,920 |
| 256MB | 243 | 388 | 1,940 |
| 128MB Accessory | 122 | 195 | 978 |
* Image capacities and recording times are approximations only and may differ according to memory card type and manufacture or brand, subject, and shooting conditions.
|
| |
