Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 9MP Flash Memory Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Other products by Sanyo

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.8 x 5.2 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B0016GTBHA
• Item model number: VPC-CG9
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,541 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 24, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Capture life when it happens--the new Sanyo Xacti CG9 camcorder records stunning digital video and amazing 9-megapixel digital photos and in one compact and easy to use design. The CG9 not only makes capturing images easy it makes sharing them online, on portable video devices like IPod’s, TV’s and computers a breeze. With high speed sequential shooting (up to 5 frames per second) and the very latest face chasing technology (recognizing up to 12 faces in still images) the CG9 has set a new standard in affordable camcorders.

The Xacti CG9 packs cutting edge technology into a small, stylish, easy to use camera. Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, the CG9’s easy to navigate menus make it a great choice for the beginner and the more advanced user. It is the perfect blend of style, performance, and ease of use.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9 Highlights

Large, 2.5-inch Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) The display flips out from the camera and rotates up to 285 degrees on an axis that allows you to take great video or still images from otherwise-difficult-to-view positions.

CMOS sensor

Amazing 9 Megapixel Still Image Quality A powerful 9.12 -megapixel (total) CMOS image sensor is the heart of the still image capabilities. The large sensor allows the CG9 to capture high-resolution, 9 megapixel still images in addition to recording high-quality digital videos with full-range stereo sound.

5x optical zoom with a bright maximum aperture of f/3.5 Consisting of nine groups and twelve total lenses, the CG9’s lens provides a fantastic field-of-view with a 38-190 mm range (35mm equivalent). Combined with the 12x digital zoom, the CG9 delivers up to 60x zooming capability.

Sophisticated image stabilizer Using a proprietary Sanyo algorithm, the CG9 automatically compensates for distracting up-and-down or side-to-side camera movement, keeping your subject steady and easy to follow. It accurately distinguishes between unintentional camera shake and deliberate camera movement. This handy feature operates in both wide-angle and telephoto modes.

Face Chaser technology

12 Subject Face Chaser Technology Recognizes up to 12 faces for still pictures and optimizes focus and aperture settings to ensure all subjects are in focus.

Highly advanced MPEG4 AVC/H.264 video compression This optimizes the file size and makes sharing movies on social networking sites or e-mailing them to friends and family even easier. In fact, the file size can be up to 25 percent smaller than that of typical MPEG-4 cameras.

To accomplish the complexity of encoding AVC/H.264 in real-time on the CG9, a dedicated Qpixel-brand H.264 video compression IC was incorporated into the camera that was designed specifically for portable consumer devices to achieve high video quality while simultaneously reducing the system power consumption. The result is high-quality video recording up to 8 hours of full-motion video with an 8 GB SDHC memory card (in TV-HQ mode). The Xacti CG9 can also record up to a total of 4 hours of video with a 4 GB SDHC memory card, up to 2 hours with a standard 2GB SD card, and up one hour with a standard SD card or SDHC flash memory card (sold separately).

Easily transfer video and still images to your video capable iPod Import video and still image files directly into iTunes software and then port them to your video-capable iPod. Share you latest masterpiece with friends and family.

Sequential photo shooting

Sequential photo shoots up to 5 frames per second Take pictures like the pros with up to ten photos with a shutter speed of 5 frames per second. The perfect solution for action photography.

Record over 8 hours of full motion video Or capture over 2700, 9-megapixel still images on an 8GB SDHC memory card, over 4 hours of video with a 4GB SDHC memory card, over 2 hours with a 2GB standard SD card, or over one hour with a 1GB standard SD card.

Capture still images while you’re shooting video The CG9 enables simultaneous shooting of video clips and still images with a simple press of the shutter button during the shooting of a movie clip. You will never need to miss another precious photo opportunity. (Depending on the mode used to take still images, simultaneous video clip shooting may be interrupted. While shooting video clips, using the digital image stabilizer may change the angle of view for still images.)

Easy-to-grip style

Super-fast start-up Reduce the chances of missing the perfect shot. The Xacti CG9 media camera is designed for super fast start-up and shooting. With its tapeless design, the CG9 eliminates the need to queue up a video tape, allowing it to begin shooting in as little as 1.7 seconds. When the CG9 is powered on, closing the LCD display puts the CG9 in standby mode. Simply open the display and the CG9 automatically powers up and can begin immediately recording in as little as 1.7 seconds.

Includes a high-capacity Sanyo brand lithium-ion battery The DBL-L20U is a high-voltage, 3.7-volt battery designed to work with the Sanyo Xacti CG9 camera. High-energy density design minimizes the battery size and weight, making it perfect for use in small, portable cameras. The DBL-L20 is designed to resist memory accumulation so it provides a full charge every time.

Easy playback of recorded video directly on a TV Connect the CG9 to a DVD / VCR Recorder or to a computer to back-up copies of recorded content. Still images and video clips are played back continuously and in chronological order. When connected to a PC, simple drag-and-drop operation makes it easy to save recorded video clips and still images onto a computer's hard disk for emailing, editing or archiving.

Product Description

The compact, portable and stylish SANYO Xacti CG9 camcorder is designed to capture both photos and videos.The SANYO Xacti CG9 camcorder records stunning digital video and amazing 9-megapixel digital photos. The CG9 not only makes capturing images easy, but it also makes sharing them online, on portable video devices like IPod's, TV's and computers a breeze.The perfect all around camcorder CG9 takes stunning digital video and amazing 9-megapixel still images. With high speed sequential shooting (up to 5 frames per second) and the very latest face chasing technology (recognizing up to 12 faces in still images) the CG9 has set a standard in affordable camcorders.The Xacti CG9 packs cutting edge technology into a small, stylish, easy to use camera. Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, the CG9's easy to navigate menus make it a great choice for the beginner and the more advanced user. It is the perfect blend of style, performance, and ease of use.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera - Great Camcorder, but NON-standard USB connector, June 7, 2008

By	F. Mutzenberg - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very happy with the picture and movie quality, using it mostly for family and recreation. The battery last about an hour, depending on the use, which is not quite enough for a whole day. I will have to get a car charger, an extra battery or both.
But I have some more remarks about USB, batteries and recharging.
Looking at my RAZR cellphone, I have a standard USB plug, the phone recharges over this very same cable when connected to the computer while transferring some pictures and contacts etc., and car chargers with standard USB connecter are to be found in almost every store which offers car chargers, i.e. Walmart for $8. And to recharge, I don't have to take out the battery from the phone: just plug in. And the AC-charger is still in the box, never to be used, and not cluttering any power strip.
Not so the Xacti: it has a propriatary USB cable, which requires me to bring this cable with me if I want to connect this camera to some other computer, let's say at friends or relative's house, or an internet cafe. Furthermore: it doesn't recharge over the USB connection, which means if I return home with an empty battery I have to first take out the battery and recharge, then replace the battery, connect to the computer, and then I can watch my stuff. Also I have to get an extra car charger, of which I have already quite an assortment in my glove department.
So I'm going to buy an extra battery (original Sanyo $49), a car charger, and an SDHC reader, which will hopefully ease some of the restrictions. But unfortunately it will just add to all this electronic clutter, which I actually try to get rid of.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little camcorder, May 5, 2008

By	S. Croomes "superstahr01" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this camera, the price is great for what you get and it's the perfect camera to carry around for those spontaneous "Kodak moments" in life. The reviewer who compared this to an HD camera I think was expecting a little too much bang for their buck. You get what you pay for. I also like this camera because at this price if something happens to it I wouldn't be too devastated which is just what I'm looking for in something that is in my purse on a day to day basis.

The size and shape of this camera are very nice. I bought a small padded camera case and keep it in my purse all the time. It also takes nice still pictures so it's the only camera I carry now.

Inside performance is pretty good. I had to adjust the ISO on a few occasions and sometimes the white balance, but the fact that these options are even available on a camera at this price is enough to recommend it. There are also pre-set modes for using in florescent light, fireworks, etc. in case you're not comfortable trying to adjust these yourself.

Outside performance is excellent. You can see a little pixelation on tv playback if you look for it, but nothing that's distracting. Focus works very well using optical zoom, and as long as you don't zoom too far in you can even get a good enough picture using the digital zoom (I have digital zoom turned off). Play back on the camera lcd and on my computer screen is excellent.

The camera also has wind roar reduction and image stabilization. I did notice some shaking in my videos even with image stabilization on, but nothing major. Wind roar reduction seems to work very well. I shot some video near the construction that is going on at my job on a mildly windy day and both the roar of the wind and the construction was cut considerably, yet I could still hear myself and my subject talking.

I am using my camera with an 8 gb sd card and set for the highest settings (9mp for stills, you can set it to fake a higher setting but why?). I can record about 2 1/2 hours of video on an 8 gb at the highest quality setting and take about 2,000 stills. These numbers will both vary as you record video and take stills on the same card. You can also take still while you are filming but this will cause a little lag in your filming according to the manual (I haven't tried this yet so I can't say how bad it is). Focus sometimes takes a second or two to catch up as you pan or zoom in and out but nothing too disappointing and to be expected with a cmos sensor.

At this price I would definitely recommend this camera. The price has actually gone down by about $25 since I bought it (wonder if I can get a price adjustment *smile*). If you are looking for something to record the kids or to carry around on vacations, this is a great little camera. I just wish it had come with a wrist strap and a carrying case. It would also have been nice for them to include more internal memory on a camera that has such high resolution for video and stills.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelivable Value for Money, June 8, 2008

By	Adrien G - See all my reviews

I was looking for a camera to replace my Handycam DVD803 which didn't work with Vista or Mac leaving me with a $900 useless camera. I had several criteria for the new camera I wanted to buy:

1) Longer recording time than 30mins (one disc on a Handycam)
2) Battery life more than 90mins
3) Can film in 60 fps
4) Can also shoot sequential stills
5) Be portable
6) Be under $400
7) Work with Vista
8) Good sound recording

As I bought the Sanyo, I really wondered how it would do considering the price tag. Here is how it worked for each criteria:

1) With an additional $50 at the store I got a three year accidental warranty and a 4GB SDHC Card. In 30 fps best quality I can film for 2h 40mins. Already a plus.

2)The battery life is about 110 mins but the battery is so small and cheap it's easy to get and carry a spare. Also a plus.

3)This camera can film in 60 fps. Yet another plus.

4)There are two modes for sequential shooting. 8MP but not so fast and 2MP but you get ten pictures after two seconds.

5)This thing is tiny!

6)Price is way under $400

7)The camera acts as a card reader so even if you don't have one on your PC you can easily transfer files. WARNING: If you want to use Windows Movie Maker as an editing software DON'T buy this camera. Although I blame it on windows, the MPEG-4 format does not work with Window Movie Maker on Vista so you'll need to get another editer. That was just about my only disapointment so far.

8) When in a quite room, the sound is crystal clear.

Also, this camera has loads of features from Macro to Timer to Voice recording. Don't listen to people who say it's a begginer camcorder, you can do a lot with this thing.

Overall great camera for the price you're paying. The video quality is so good I wonder how amazing the HD1000 must be.

If this is your first camera, go for it. I strongly recommend it.