Sanyo's sleek new CameraCorder takes photos and video
Sanyo Fisher VPC-C4 CameraCorder
The product: Sanyo gains some momentum in the multifunction photography race with its VPC-C4 CameraCorder, a stylishly shaped device capable of taking both 4-megapixel still photos and full-motion MPEG-4 video. The VPC-C4 supports simultaneous capture of movies and stills, so particularly interesting video moments may be photographed individually. A small unit, the Sanyo VPC-C4 CameraCorder is designed around its ergonomic-looking handgrip and weighs a comfy 6.5 ounces. Full specs include:

• 4-megapixel CCD
• 1.8-inch LCD
• 3X optical zoom
• Captures MPEG-4 video (640x480, no limit)
• SD card slot for photo and video storage
• PictBridge compatible

The price: No pricing information is available yet.

The prospects: It's nice to see a multifunction device that doesn't skimp on important features such as an optical zoom lens on the camera and 640x480 video resolution. But the predecessor to the VPC-C4 (Sanyo's FVD-C1) had a retail price of nearly $700, which we consider a bit high for a camcorder that records to SD media. A more aggressive price may help the VPC-C4 catch on.

By Robert Dubbin, assistant editor, CNET Reviews