Sanyo Xacti Camcorder

Guide to Finding the Right Sanyo Xacti Camcorder

Camcorders are portable electronic devices that you can use to film videos. Professionals and amateur enthusiasts use them for home production videos, movies, political protests, and news updates. Sanyo's Xacti camera, for sale on eBay, features a wide range of options, including those that film in high-definition video.

What is a camcorder?

This device is a combination of a video camera and a video cassette recorder. Some are cassette-based and others are media-storage-based. Cassette-based camcorders record analog signals onto the cassettes. Digital models, like those from Sanyo, record the videos onto storage media like SD cards, SDHC cards, mini HD cards, internal flash memory, and microDVDs.

For Sanyo Xacti models at various prices, the sizes range from 2.5 to 5 inches in height, 2 to 4 inches in width, and 0.5 to 2 inches in depth. They range in weight from less than 8 ounces to about a pound.

Many models of the Sanyo CG9 Xacti have a flip-out LCD viewer that you can use for reviewing the video. Some feature touch-screen LCD viewers. See the manufacturer's site for details.

What types of camcorders are available?

• Flash memory: This Xacti camera records on flash memory drives like SD or SDHC cards and memory sticks.
• Hard disk drive (HDD): This type has a built-in hard disk drive. Storage spaces range from 32 GB to 64 GB.
• DVD: This type stores footage on a DVD that you can take out of the device and play on your DVD player.
• Mini DV: Also known as a pocket camcorder, this records on tapes that usually have a capacity of 60 to 90 minutes.
• Combo: This is a blend of two or more of the above types.

How do you choose a camcorder?

One of the first decisions to make, when choosing camcorders, is whether you want high-definition or 4K. HD video has high resolution, characterized by more than 480 vertical lines in America and more than 576 vertical lines in Europe. 4K video has a horizontal screen display resolution of 4,000 pixels.

Possible features include GPS, 3D capability, and built-in projectors. GPS can be used for geotagging. Also, ask yourself how much zoom you need for what you plan on filming. Some models have lenses capable of zooming up to 50x.

Most devices come with technology for image stabilization. Check the model you're considering if that feature is important to you. An HDMI output, found on most models, lets you connect the device to an HDTV.

Another factor to consider is whether you want a hands-free type of camcorder. This type is often called an action cam. People commonly use them to record themselves playing sports and engaging in outdoor activities.

How do you use a camcorder?

The power switch turns the device on and off. If your camcorder goes into save or standby mode, you can power it on by pushing the standby button. The record button starts and stops video recording.

On some models, the record button can also pause the video in playback mode. If you see a T and W by the zoom button, they stand for Telephoto for moving in and Wide for moving out.

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