Sanyo X1200 Digital Camera

Supplier: Walmart Stores ( USA )
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.sanyo.com
Price: approximately 950 EGP
Specifications:
Form Factor: Compact/ Ultra Compact
Optical Zoom: 3x
Digital Zoom: 4x
Resolution Megapixls: 12MP
Maximum Photograph Resolution: 4000*3000
LCD Screen Size: 2.7"
Photograph Format: JPG
Video Format: MOV (Quick Time)
Supported Video Modes: VGA @ 30 fps, QVGA @ 15 fps
Maximum ISO: 3200
Storage: 52 MB internal, up to 32 GB SD Card
Battery: Lithium Ion, rechargeable


This camera is one of the few exceptions in the items reviewed at Motech, since it isn't typically available in the Egyptian market. So the reason it is posted here is to inform users about what to mainly look for in a camera without bugging yourself with a lot of details and numbers. For starters, digital cameras come in different classes and specs. The most common is the compact or the ultra compact category from which this camera comes. Cameras in this category are also called point-and-shoot cameras, due to their ease of use and the fact that they appeal more to the typical user who wants to take shots of himself and his friends without fiddling much with settings. Most of the options set themselves automatically. In case you have a special photograph that you want to make sure that it is captured in good quality, yet too lazy to learn all the settings, most of the cameras have pre-recorded presets for specific situations. For example, a sports mode will best fit fast moving objects, while a low-lighting mode is best for a photo lit by the moon or a candle. If we want to delve into more specific details then we can do so through explaining some of the thorough options in the camera. Considering the flash, it can be set in one of 4 modes: Always On, Always Off, Auto, Red Eye Reduction. The first 3 modes are self explanatory, while the last one is mainly for avoiding the vampire eyes that the camera gives to people. Most of the time Auto will do good. And a small tip: don't use flash in well-lit environments because near objects or people will look like they are photo-shopped.

Next is the focus, which can be set to either manual, auto, macro or pan focus. Macro focus is to shoot close objects ( within 10-70cm ). Pan focus is for further objects , at a minimum distance of 60cm till infinity. If you know what you are doing then you can take full control through the manual mode, and if you want minimum hassle, then the auto mode is what you are looking for.

Now talking specifically about the camera at hand, it has a slim physique that enables it to be easily held and packed, besides the bragging rights associated with the looks. Some credit goes to the fact that almost nobody you will see will have a Sanyo camera. There are two main reasons I picked this camera while I was e-shopping. For starters, I care about video shooting, and anything less than VGA@30 fps is a joke. VGA is equivalent to 640*480, and is the least decent resolution. The 30 frames per second ensure a non-choppy, smooth video in most circumstances. The camera comes with an AV cable that enables direct connection to the TV through composite input and mono audio, but the quality is quite acceptable. The camera like others in its class, has the problem of showing those distorted pixel lines in certain lighting conditions, such as direct sun or stadium lights. After a while, you will know how to avoid those and go on capturing your moment. Coming to still photos, the camera has a nice selection of resolutions that vary in aspect ratio ( 4:3 and 16:9 ). Shooting at lower resolutions allows the access of the higher ISO modes, which is not blocked for higher resolutions but as stated in Sanyo's website this should be the case. Most of the time the camera gives great stills, but fiddle with the settings at your own peril. I have had the unfortunate cases that bad photos were produced while I was trying new settings. A great idea is to learn about the options and how they affect the photo before the occasion. The camera has fast response, and most of the options can easily be set or reached in 2 or 3 button pushes. Coupled with a 4 GB SDHC, the camera is able to keep on taking photos until the battery dies and still having space left. The battery is capable of shooting about 45 minutes of video or a couple hundreds of photos. All in all, this is better than the Sony that comes at a similar price, but if you are lucky to find it.