Ideal for the Beach or Backyard Pool and Perfect for Vacationers, SANYO's Submersible Xacti E1 Is the Must-Have Camcorder for Active Lifestyles

CHATSWORTH, Calif., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- SANYO has introduced the world's first(*1) waterproof(*2) camcorder, the SANYO Xacti E1. Ideal for active families, vacationers and water sports enthusiasts, the ultra-compact E1 can record high-quality video and 6-megapixel stills under water(*3) to a depth of five feet for up to one hour at a time.

Designed for year-round use, the stylish SANYO Xacti E1 is the pocket-sized, "grab and go" solution for capturing special moments everywhere, every time -- whenever inspiration strikes. Completely self-contained, the E1 requires no bulky, separate underwater housing.

Easy to operate with only one hand, it's an ideal camcorder to take to the beach or lake for activities such as swimming, snorkeling, surfing and water-skiing, or for use in and around the backyard pool or water park. Compact and easy to grip, the E1 is also great for skiers and snowboarders(*4). Away from water, the versatile E1 is a perfect choice for shooting video and still images of the new baby or recording all the fun at parties, children's school or sports events and family outings.

The SANYO Xacti E1 will be available in the U.S.A. in eye-catching blue, yellow and white in mid-June 2007 at $499.99 MSRP(*5). Consumers can visit http://www.sanyodigital.com for information regarding major online retailers accepting pre-orders for the E1.

The E1 shoots TV-quality MPEG-4 video and utilizes the state-of-the-art Advanced Video Codec AVC/H.264. Incorporating a special Qpixel brand H.264 chipset, the E1 delivers a significant 25 percent reduction in video file size, along with improved video quality versus traditional MPEG-4 recordings. Completely "tapeless," the device records both video and still images to a standard SD memory card or high-capacity SDHC card. Users can record a phenomenal 10 hours of full-motion 640 x 480 pixel, 30 frames-per-second video on a single 8-gigabyte SDHC memory card (not included)(*6). Once recorded, both video and still images can be easily uploaded and viewed on a PC or Mac, personal media player such as the iPod(R), or shared on the internet via a video or photo sharing Website.

"More than just the world's first waterproof camcorder, the SANYO Xacti E1 is really four cameras in one," said John Lamb, Senior Marketing Manager, Audio Video Division of SANYO Fisher Company. "It's both a video and still camera above water and a video and still camera below water. SANYO has created a stunning, exceptionally versatile camcorder that can be used virtually everywhere -- including at the beach, in the pool and in rain or snow -- while providing the high level of video and still image performance that today's consumers demand. The E1 makes it fun and easy to record life's special moments spontaneously both in and out of the water."

Improved 9 pixel-mixing technology allows video to be shot even in darker places, such as indoors during a party. When using the "Automatic" setting, subjects may be recorded in light as low as 7 lux, and when using the "Lamp Mode" setting found in the "Scene Select" function menu, the frame rate will be automatically adjusted, enabling subjects to be recorded even in 2 lux low-light environments(*7).

The included CD-ROM Software Pack features Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 for Windows XP/Vista, Adobe Photoshop Album starter edition, QuickTime 7.1, iTunes 7.1 and Xacti Screen Capture for Windows. For Mac OS X customers, SANYO recommends using iMovie and iPhoto.

Regarding the agreement to distribute Adobe's software with the Xacti camera, Garrett J. Ilg, president of Adobe Systems Japan, commented," Adobe's video editing software, 'Adobe Premiere Elements', through being bundled with SANYO's new Xacti product, will provide users with new added value. The H.264 format which Adobe Premiere Elements is compatible with and that Xacti has adopted will hereafter be a mainstream format. In cooperation with SANYO, Adobe Systems will continue to provide solutions enhancing users' personal movie experiences by using Adobe Premiere Elements in combination with Xacti."

Included accessories are a USB Cable, AV Cable, Battery Charger, Li-ion Battery Pack, Soft Case and Hand Strap. Optional accessories include a specially designed "surf-style" camera leash (VCP-STB1 - $19.99(*5)) made by a leading surf gear maker, Surf More XM, that safely and securely tethers the E1 to the user's wrist. A protective waterproof camera case (VCP-HCX2 - $19.99(*5)) is also available.

SANYO Xacti E1 Key Features:

• Waterproof: submersible to a depth of five feet for 60 minutes
• No separate, bulky underwater housing required
• Shoots high-quality video (advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 at 640 x 480 pixels/30fps)
• Takes 6-megapixel stills (JPEG format)
• Records onto an SD memory card or high-capacity SDHC card (not included)
• Bright, 2.5-inch LCD color display flips out and rotates for easy viewing
• 5x optical zoom for great close-ups
• Anti-shake digital image stabilizer(*8)
• Easy, one-handed operation
• While recording video, 6-megapixel still images may also be taken simultaneously
• Utilizing the 16:9 widescreen (4.4M: 2816 x 1584 pixel) photo setting, users can enjoy their high resolution photos on their high-definition televisions in full screen mode
• In "Portrait Mode" pictures can be taken in portrait style without manually rotating the camera to its side
• Set focal distance to one of 16 steps with "Manual Focus"
• Super-macro function able to zoom in up to 1cm (when using wide-angle)
• "Digital Red-eye reduction" function automatically reduces red-eye from images
• Easily upload video and images to a PC or Mac for playback or share online with friends
• Smooth playback on television with 60 frames per second
• "Quick stand-by" makes it possible to start recording or playback immediately after the monitor is flipped open
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.4 x 1.6 (W x H x D, in inches)
• Weight: 8.3 oz. with battery and SD or SDHC memory card
• Comes in a choice of Blue, Yellow or White

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is a $20 billion manufacturer and distributor of consumer and commercial electronics, including multimedia and telecommunication products. Based in Chatsworth, California, SANYO Fisher Company (a division of SANYO North America Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.) markets digital cameras, PCS phones, audio systems, portable and mobile electronics, HD televisions, dictation devices, home appliances, LCD projectors and security video equipment.

For more information and additional specifications, please visit http://www.sanyodigital.com. Visit http://www.sanyodigital.com and click on "Dealer Images" for downloadable hi-res product images.

All products and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Because its products are subject to continual improvement, SANYO reserves the right to modify product design and specifications without notice and without incurring any obligations.

*1: For on-board equipped optical zoom lens type video cameras (as of May 22, 2007).
*2: JIS IPX8 (previously JIS Grade 8) of water resistance qualified.
*3: In water depth up to five feet, within a 60 minute time-frame.
*4: When using in cold or hot and humid environments use caution to prevent dew and condensation.
*5: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
*6: Using 8GB SDHC memory card, in TV-HQ mode. Memory cards sold separately.
*7: With lamp mode (1/15 sec).
*8: Images may not be corrected at slow shutter speeds or forceful camera shake. Using the camera shake correction feature during movie recording may change the camera field angle.
*9: As of May 2007, Maximum file size for a single clip is 4GB with a maximum single clip recording time of 1 hour.
*10: DCF is the abbreviation for Design rule for Camera File system, established by the Japan Engineering Information Technology Association (JEITA).
*11: The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) is a format for recording on storage media information such as the number of frames and copies desired for printing of images taken on the digital camera.
*12: Exif Ver2.2 is an industry standard established for file formatting of digital cameras.
*13: For this model 30fps is actually 29.97fps and 15fps is actually 14.985fps.
*14: CIPA (Camera & Image Products Association) standard. Continual playback: Playback based on continuous playback. Battery life may change according to actual conditions.
*15: Figure projects time and amount of photos taken which will fill the recording medium. Amount varies by memory card maker, type of photo subject and photographic conditions.
*16: Available photo capacities and recording times are shown when a re-formatted card is inserted. Photo capacities and recording times are approximations only and may vary according to the type and manufacturer of the memory card, the subject, and shooting conditions.