Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2 user reviews (camcorder - flash card)

4.0 stars

"Good camera, very easy." on December 17, 2008 by karlkrist

Pros: Easy to use. Easy to carry. Pretty good quality.

Cons: Battery life and card size

Summary: I've had this camera for a few weeks, and so far everything has been great. The videos are actually better quality that I was expecting.

The camera is very easy to use. Many people mention the joystick button that controls the menus. Well it may not be the best, but I think the only time I've used it was when I first started messing around with the camera.

My whole purpose for this camera is to have something quick and easy to use, that will give me decent quality video. This camera does that very well.

4.0 stars

"Not bad for the price" on December 4, 2008 by ninjustin

Pros: Waterproof, decent still pictures for a camcorder, can take stills while filming video. Lots of computer options. Can edit video and pictures and either print with just camcorder or watch on TV. Built in Flash.

Cons: Standard definition. Not as many options as a high end camcorder. Picture quality only average.

Summary: I'm pleased with my purchase. For $200 I got what I consider a decent digital camera that takes decent video in any weather condition.
Manually changing the ISO greatly improves noise reduction and has enough options to get better shots if you want to get into them. There is a normal and simple mode for those that don't know anything about cameras and I could see how that would be nice. Being able to edit and delete pictures from the camera is nice if your using a smaller sd card. There is a 12mp setting on the camera don't really know what that is about considering is says 8mp on the side and that's what its rated for. With an 8gb card I can take 2024 pics at 8mp High quality and video for 5:32.16 on 640x480 30fps super high quality and a little less than 3 at 60fps. At night it works fairly well as long as there is decent light or your close enough to use the flash with still shots.
Has standard settings for most camcorders and digital cameras such as scene selection for night shots, sport shots. Also has filters for black and white, sepia tone, and a cosmetic filter for close ups and skin but those are the only three. Not that that's a problem for me that's all i really need I'll post anything else. Everything else is fairly standard for a digital camera like, focus modes, and separate settings for the digital stabilizer for stills v.s video. The other things that stood out were a face chaser video setting and a weird one being software to record what is on your computer screen to the camcorder. I don't know why that would be used ever but it's there. I haven't dunked it in water yet but I sure wasn't afraid to take it our in the rain earlier. So far I'm pretty pleased with it. I knew the quality of the pictures wasn't going to be stellar but they're certainly good enough for me and I like how I can get it wet. The aesthetics are nice and it's easy to hold. As far as physically the only thing I don't like about it is the Button in the center of the zoom circle button is a bit squishy or rubbery, I'm certain because its due to the waterproofing but at the same time all the other buttons feel like they would on anything else. I do wish there was a lens cap or something to cover the lens with but I guess I'll be keeping it in the soft case it came with anyway so I guess that's not a huge deal either but it would be nice , Over all I'm pretty pleased if I wanted fantastic quality I would have gone for a Hi def camera or a Cannon D something. But for the price range they are in the make a great hybrid or back up camera especially with the waterproof option and the compact size. I don't see my girlfriend letting me take her d80 in the water under any circumstances.

4.0 stars

"Tuff, rugged. and raw, not for tourists." on May 8, 2010 by cooterbo

Pros: -water proof
-durable
-perfect for active shooters
-impressed by the video/picture quality

Cons: -buttons hard to manipulate while wearing gloves
-doesn't use a standard USB cable
-batteries dont last too long

Summary: This camera is not for tourists. Its for people who lead action packed lives. I've had this camera for over a year now and being in the military and being someone who doesn't take good care of my possessions like I'm supposed to do, the camera has held out flawlessly. I operate on boats around all kinds of water and weather conditions and never had a problem with it. From subfreezing temperatures to 120 degrees in the desert, from freak hailstorms, and sandstorms in Iraq to saltwater spray from boats doing 360's, this camera has been dropped onto aluminum decks, concrete, mud, sand, shoved into pouches full of dirt and gear then smashed with my body weight plus body armor plus another guy with body armor while still recording, anything you can think of. This camera is a survivor. I took it on a family trip to the Philippines and spent half the trip underwater with it or taking drunken videos and pics and have some outstanding footage that the entire family can cherish forever. Everybody I know is impressed by the camera itself and the photo's and video it takes, they always ask me about it. Yeah the battery life sucks and if you forget the supplied USB cable you're SOL if you want to upload stuff, just buy extra batteries for 20 bucks or a card reader and you are good to go. Bottom line: If guided tours and Disney World is your thing look elsewhere, if you want a camera that works in conditions the average person will never see in their lifetime, buy this camera now.

Updated on May 8, 2010

Just to clarify, if you know that you are going to get the camera wet double check it to make sure you have the battery/memory cover closed and locked securely and there is no dust/sand on the rubber gasket on that cover that actually makes the camera waterproof before submitting the camera to abuse. I have hours upon hours of snorkeling video that proves that this camera is waterproof. I've even gone deeper than the advertised 1.5 meters you are supposed to stay over with no probs.

1.0 stars

"Terrible warranty and customer service" on August 19, 2009 by connpress

Pros: Its a good camera feature-wise

Cons: Very flaky design. Very short useless warranty.

Summary: Design is too flaky. The zoom button broke during normal use immediately after the service warranty was over. Service warranty is only for 90 days -- too short. Now I have to shell out about $200 (50% of the purchase price) to fix the camera. They have only two service locations in the ENTIRE USA. I have to send my camera to a remote location in Illinois to get it fixed. Will NEVER buy SANYO again -- too bad they have a good product, but terrible service. If you buy this camera, make sure you handle it like a newborn baby and never mishandle it!! The design is toooo flaky.