Sanyo xacti HD or Go Pro HD ?

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Looking for a waterproof camera.
From the video I have seen it appears the Go Pro has better picture quality but then you dont have zoom and focus capabilities with the Go Pro that the Sanyo has.
Can anybody that has used both shed some light on the Pros/Cons of one over the other with regard to picture quality?? Not that concerned with hands free which the Go Pro certainly has an advantage, more interested in picture quality, versatility.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

the HD Go Pro looks amazing, I would get that.

Bettyboarder · Tue Jan 12, 10 8:09 am

We have the Sanyo it works fine. I would say they are both really good. It would be pretty hard to compare them. The Sanyo is a bit bigger the the Go Pro and it doesn't have attachments to hook to the kite and stuff but we still did using velco.

I know the Sanyo can go down to 10 feet not sure on the Go Pro. I really think you can't go wrong either way they are both great cameras.

This was our first time using it.
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-12974.html

You could compare it to Gmans most recent video for Go Pro HD vs Sanyo

Rincon · Since 03 Jan 2009 10 Posts

Two very different cameras in my opinion having used both. The Sanyo is a general use video camera that is water proof. Meaning it has a zoom lens for capturing day to day events. The GoPro HD is a Point of View (POV) camera that is very wide angle fixed lens to capture events close to the subject (In Car, On Board, Close Up)!. If you want to capture your friends or yourself doing water sports close up....you can't beat the GoPro. Best $300.00 you will ever spend. If you want a video camera to stand on the shore and video tape you family 50 feet away then the Sanyo is a better choice. My Sanyo did not last long, and I know others have had issues. The Sanyo does work well...when it works, but I will be purchasing a fleet of GoPro's. The GoPro in my opinion is the best camera because of the quality of images, and the fact that in a way it is completely disposable. I use to put thousand dollar cameras in thousand dollar housings, and never felt comfortable doing so. I know I can beat the hell out the the GoPro in any environment, and not even worry at all. Hope this helps you in your decision.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

the helmut HD gopro comes with a bunch of attachments - makes it super simple to quickly move around. the picture and still quality are great but doesn't mean much if you have to struggle each time you want to attach or remove your camera from the kite, lines, helmut, skateboard, etc.

Like Rincon said - nearly disposable (just have a big fat hard drive ready - shot 90 Gigs in the first month...)

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

This VholdR cam looks nice. Anyone has any expeirence with it?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

not sure - don't think that one is waterproof (my friends took some nice ski pics though)

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

It seems they offer, or will offer waterproof case.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

GoPro has a nicer cam, but is POV only really... the Sanyo is more an all around camera.

I own the Sanyo but would probably get the gopro now (it wasn't available a year ago when I got the Sanyo)

dustin awesome · Since 23 Jul 2009 115 Posts Stoked

I got a gopro an love the hell out of it, stay tuned for videos of me trying t kill myself...

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

The Sanyo has better sound . The go pro's mic is inside the box so very distorted. Sanyo has its own charger and battery . The wide angle from the go pro is twice as wide as the Sanyos wide setting. I have the go pro for action mounted shots and the sanyo for hand held bad weather or water outings.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Kyle · Since 28 Jun 2007 54 Posts Squamish, Canada

hey -
I have both (GoPro HD and Sanyo Xacti WH1). They both have their uses.

IMO, the sensor and image quality are better on the goPro.
but form-factor and use are key.

for POV stuff, go with GoPro no questino. better than other POV cams I've tried. That's pretty much all it does, but it does it very well. the setting for 720p@60fps and a wide angle is very nice. you need decent light.

for filming from the water at a bit of range/distance, the sanyo is nice. but you need good light. the quality sucks in low light, and I am not SUPER impressed with the image quality in general. It's still pretty good though. fine for web videos.
sample clip:
http://www.vimeo.com/8044620

yes, it has 30x optical zoom, but it can't autofocus very well at full zoom even on a good tripod in low-contrast settings (ie. black wetsuit on dark water). so you pretty much need to use manual focus for that.

It works best if you have a buddy stand in shallow water or shorebreak and film you. or you can get the pistol grip one and stuff it in your boardshorts pockets to film your buddies while riding. that's nice. Come to think of it, the pistol grip model is probably a better all-around choice because the 30x zoom is not all that usable and I think the sensor is better on the pistol model.

My take:
- if you want only a POV cam - get the Gopro.
- If you want to shoot from the beach AND from the water, get a good regular cam and a waterhousing with a wide angle adapter + good tripod.
- If you want to shoot from the beach AND from the water, for under $500, get the Sanyo + good tripod.

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