The VPC-CA6 is a an extremely small SD-card based video and still camera; our product review sample came in a box that proclaimed it was the “blue” variant (with a “red” and “silver” variant also available), but that’s a strange definer of the camera, as it’s actually only the bezel around the foldout LCD that comes in a blue colour. The rest of the VPC-CA6′s casing is white with a prominent black ridge running down the bottom of the camera; this includes the hinge that houses the VPC-CA6′s battery and SD card slot. Our review sample came with a 1GB SD card. The battery is charged with an external charger, and there’s no facility to directly charge the camera battery while it’s in situ.

The VPC-CA6 has a 5x optical zoom and supports four recording modes, topping out at standard VGA (640 x 480) video at 30fps. Everything recorded comes out as a compressed MP4 file, and the supplied 1GB card should be good for about 60 minutes of footage, which is not that much more than the VPC-CA6′s estimated battery life of 80 recording minutes. Given that the camera is pitched towards the home or sports enthusiast shooter that’s not too galling. The specifications for the VPC-CA6 state that it’s compatible with newer SHDC cards, which can store 4GB or more. On the digital still front, the VPC-CA6 features a six megapixel sensor with a variety of pre-set shooting modes.

One of the selling points for the VPC-CA6 is that it’s splash-proof. It’s important to note that Sanyo don’t claim that it’s waterproof — and we were unwilling to shell out AU$799 to see what happens if you drop it into a pool but if you’re keen and try it, be sure to let us know what happens. In theory, though, the VPC-CA6 should be good for swimmers, skiers and the like, simply because you should be able to handle it with wet hands. That probably covers people doing dishes as well, now that we think of it.

The VPC-CA6 is Sanyo’s latest addition to the family. Weighing in at just 175g, its gently curving pistol-grip design will be familiar to camcorder users but may feel awkward to anyone coming from a photo background.

Flip the smallish screen out and the VPC-CA6 wakes up almost immediately. The screen doesn’t tilt up (or fold screen-side in for safety) but its meagre 86,000 pixels look surprisingly sharp and natural. In fact, the 2-inch display has a smooth, luminous quality that outshines many larger LCDs, but it performs poorly in low light.

The 2.2-inch OLED (organic light emitting diode) screen is one of the best I’ve ever seen on a digital camera or camcorder. OLED pixels self-illuminate to provide more uniform brightness than do most LCDs. OLED technology also consumes power more efficiently and can render a wider contrast range. The VPC-HD1′s screen rotates 285 degrees, allowing for convenient self-portrait, overhead, and low-angle shots.

The VPC-HD1′s onscreen menus are bright and easy to read. The settings are divided somewhat arbitrarily onto three pages: Basic, Advanced, and Options. As with the VPC-C6, when you choose an item, it automatically moves to the front of the group, which breaks the otherwise logical arrangement of the icons. In order to charge the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1′s battery, you have to park it in the bundled docking station.

The HD1 employs an ultra-clear 2.2-inch SANYO-developed OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display with 210,000 total pixels for exceptional viewability. The display flips out from the camera and rotates up to 285 degrees on axis for taking great video or still images in otherwise difficult locations. Trademark features of OLED displays are wider viewing angles, brighter picture without need for a backlight, greater contrast with richer colors, faster response speed for smooth playback of rapid movements and lower power consumption than LCD displays. When not in use, the display folds back into the side of the camera to protect the screen.

No camera is better than its lens and the HD1 features a powerful 10x optical zoom lens with a 38-380mm focal range (35mm equivalent) that keeps you close to the action. The all-glass lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 from wide to telephoto focal lengths. The HD1 incorporates a digital image stabilizer that compensates for distracting up-and-down or side-to-side camera movement, keeping your subject steady and easy to follow. It accurately distinguishes between unintentional camera shake and deliberate camera movement. This handy feature operates in both wide-angle and telephoto modes, giving every shot a solid, professional-looking feel.

In form as well as function the Xacti is a mixture of still and video camera. It is designed to be held one-handed like a pistol, with a large 2.2in flip-and-twist monitor screen on the side and all the controls mounted for thumb operation on the back.
It has a powerful 10x optical zoom lens, and a small pop-up flash on the top. It is powered by a large 1200mAh Lithium-ion battery that is mounted inside the handgrip under a removable panel, rather like a mobile phone.

It isn’t exactly a small device compared to a compact still camera, but it’s certainly a lot smaller than your average DV camcorder. Measuring 80 x 119 x 36mm and weighing a hefty 210g without battery or card, it’s a bit too large to be carried in a pocket, but it does come with a good quality semi-rigid carrying pouch with a belt loop.