Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 (Black)

CNET editors' take

• By: Will Greenwald
• Published on: 03/19/2008

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9

(Credit: Sanyo)

Sanyo kicks up the number of pixels with the Xacti VPC-CG9. This new pocket camera/camcorder features a 9-megapixel sensor, offering a 150 percent higher pixel count than last year's CG65's 6-megapixel sensor. According to Sanyo, the CG9 can use interpolation to produce 12MP still pictures, much like the CG65 could produce 10MP pictures with its 6MP sensor. This technique can potentially produce larger pictures than the sensor alone would allow, but it can often lead to image artifacts--pixelated blemishes caused by overprocessing. In general, users should stick with the sensor's native resolution, which still presents a solid upgrade over the CG65.

Besides the higher resolution, the CG9 offers a few more improvements from its predecessor. It still uses a 35 to 190mm-equivalent, f/3.5-3.7 5x optical zoom lens, though it's a bit faster in telephoto mode than the CG65's otherwise identical f/3.5-4.9 lens. The CG9 can shoot MPEG-4/h.264 video just like the CG65, though it can now record VGA (640x480) video at 60 frames per second as well as 30. However, it only shoots video at standard definition or lower resolution; users looking for a small high-def camcorder should instead look for one of Sanyo's HD video pocketcams. Besides those upgrades, the CG9 feature a similar flip-out LCD screen, pistol-grip design, and feature set.

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 ships in April, with a suggested retail price of $280. It will be available in silver and black versions.

Where to buy

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$209.99	Yes
Sears	$246.99	Yes
Amazon.com Marketplace	$192.95	Yes
	$276.70	Yes
	$239.99	Yes

see prices from 7 stores

Compare prices for Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9

	Sonic Electronix Inc.	$209.99
	Sears	$246.99
	Amazon.com Marketplace	$192.95
	PC Connection	$276.70
	MacMall	$239.99

Recent user reviews

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• Showing 2 of 2 user reviews

• 4.0 stars

  "Nice dual-purpose tool"

  by bcnix2 on April 20, 2009

• 4.0 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Great Camcorder/Camera combo device!"

  by gigabit77 on November 2, 2008

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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 86

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 101 reviews of SANYO Xacti Digital Movie CG-9 svart from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 55/100 and users 85/100. Comparing these reviews to 555170 other Digital Compact Cameras reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 86/100 = Very Good.

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• news.com.au

  Editors' rating: 60

  Summary: The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 is a cute standard-definition offering that comes with some interesting modes and features. Unfortunately, its poor video performance and annoying control scheme are kind of hard to overlook.

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• laptopmag.com

  Editors' rating: 40

  Summary: Still photos taken with the CG9 looked excellent. The pressure-sensitive trigger button, however, can be difficult to use. Press it halfway and it will focus, all the way and it will take a photoâ€"though it’s not always easy to gauge the correct ...

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• whatdigitalcamera.com

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: Great in the fun stakes, though not the best if top-quality images are what you're after.

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• goodgearguide.com.au

  Editors' rating: 60

  Summary: The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 is a cute standard-def offering that comes with some interesting modes and features. Unfortunately, its poor video performance and annoying control scheme are kind of hard to overlook.

  Read full review