Sanyo’s Xacti HD1000 was one of the first compact cameras to shoot high-definition video. The latest in the line, the HD1010, includes a slow- motion mode and a slick face-tracking feature.
This $799 camera, due next month, weighs 9 ounces and is a little bit bigger than a cellphone. It has a 2.7- inch display and 10x optical zoom lens, and can record video directly to an SD or SDHC memory card; it can record up to 87 minutes of video on a single 8-gigabyte card. The HD1010 can take 300-frames-per-second video for better slow-motion playback. Its “face chase” technology allows users to track a field of 12 faces at a time, ensuring that the entire party stays in focus. Image stabilization adds security for those with shaky hands.
A docking station, included, can link the camera directly to a high-definition TV or computer through various cables.
Best of all, there’s a “simple” mode that allows anyone — even toddlers and the unsteady — to get a good shot. — John Biggs
