Video: Review of the Sanyo VPC-WH1 HD

I’ve been kayaking for 20 years now, and during that time I’ve found my motivation for paddling changing. In the last few years, that direction has taken me towards documenting my experiences on video and in turn sharing them with others. It’s a craft I’m still learning and trying to refine.

Sanyo VPC-WH1 HD waterproof camcorder. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

During that course I’ve had a multitude of both cameras and camcorders; all to varying degrees of success. I’ve run the gamut from waterproof bullet cam’s with the recording unit in a water tight box such as a Pelican Case, to a full fledged camcorder in a bulky watertight housing such as the Sony SPK-HCE.

▶

My latest flavor is the VPC-WH1 HD from Sanyo. A couple of things caught my eye immediately; it comes in HD (720p) and it’s waterproof to 10′. Doesn’t hurt that the price is reasonable as well ($322 at Amazon.) So, I grabbed one and recently took it out for a spin. Here’s my initial opinion of it as well as a short clip of some of the footage I took.

Controls and memory slot on Sanyo VPC-WH1. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

Note on the video. I wasn’t going for anything too fancy here. There’s no post production adjustments on the footage – no color correction, levels or saturation adjustments. I wanted to present you with raw footage so you could you draw your own conclusions. I did dial down the audio in post but again no filter or adjustments or sound track.

Likes:

• Simple to use with easy to reach controls.
• One speed zoom with easy toggle switch on top of body (I hate variable rate zooms as you inevitably end up with jerky zooms ) but also look at the Dislike section.
• Auto On/Off function with the LCD display. In other words you can close the LCD display and camera goes into standby mode. Great for leaving it mounted on suction cup and being able to quickly go to record mode.
• Here’s the big one. No condensation when going from air (relatively warm environment) to water (cold environment). Because it’s a small sealed unit the lens cover stays fog free when immersed, something I can’t say for large camera housing which despite desiccant always seemed of fog up in the surf as soon as a wave hit. Look at the video and let me know what you think.
• Records on SD cards which are cheap and interchangeable with my other gear. I get about a half hour recording per gigabyte.

Dislikes:

• That zoom that’s so easy to get to on top of the body. Well, it also makes it easy to inadvertently zoom when you don’t mean to. Especially while holding the unit underwater from the cockpit. I had some footage which got cut that has me zooming all over the place while I was attempting to film Shield-Back Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta).
• Silver ring holding the view port has a large distinct shoulder which really pools the water. (Again see video) Not a deal breaker but you’ll want a cloth on hands for repeated cleanings of view port.
• And here the big dislike or potential problem. The cover and locking mechanism for the SD card is on the left side of housing. When filming scenes under the boat from the cockpit I would pinch the camcorder from above. When I returned home and went to flush the unit with fresh water I found that I had unlocked the door. Luckily it didn’t open and flood the camcorder but from now on I’ll be taping that locking latch before using. Think I dodged a bullet there! (see photos)

Latch that could cause problems with the camcorder. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

So overall I’m happy with it so far (if that changes I’ll let you know as well) and, considering the price, think it’s a great value if you’re looking to document your paddles. (Wish we had it in Alaska!)

The rear view of camcorder. Notice the extra record button on the front right. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

I think it’s a no-brainer as a second camcorder; I wouldn’t trade in my Canon HS100 which has a much more sensitive sensor.

It might do as a primary camcorder if you’re not too picky about exposures. You’ll notice in the video that there are times when the highlights get completely overblown. But it defiantly is fun and I’m already thinking of usual camera angles I’ll be able to include on our next production.