We’re not sure whether we’d pay £500 for a combined camera and video camera given the low cost of flash-based camcorders, but if you’ve the budget for an HD model, the Sanyo Xacti HD2000 won’t disappoint. If the high megapixel count is less important than high-definition recording on a sleek device, you may prefer Sony's similarly priced TG3.
With each new model, Sanyo gets that little bit closer to producing a camcorder to compete with the best available. The Xacti VPC-HD2000 is another step in the right direction. We still don't like the fact that no 50fps version more suited to European standards is available, and image quality hasn't quite entered the top league just yet. But the price is likely to drop below £500 fairly soon, if previous models are anything to go by. With very good video quality and photographic abilities, this may not be the master of both areas, but it's good enough to be one of the few crossover devices to be worth having for either purpose.
At £549, plus the PC or Mac you are no doubt going to have to buy to actually edit the footage you've captured, the Sanyo VPC-DH2000 is a nice camera, but one that you'll probably find you aren't making full use of.
The still camera isn't a complete waste of time, for example it's helpful that you can grab pictures while you record but it's not the reason you should be buying it. The trouble is at this price you could probably get something that is more feature-packed if you are looking to make the next Blair Witch Project.
For ease though, it probably is worth checking out. If the price was slightly lower, which it no doubt will be online, this is one still worth a closer look.
(Les notes de la presse sont données à titre indicatif et représentent une interprétation du test par Numerama)