How much of a deal killer if your camcorder has poor IS?
 

I just finished reading the review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000. A glaring weakness stands out: terrible image stabilization. I've been using the Canon HV10, it died a couple months back, and I've been searching for a replacement ever since. I do mostly recording of family outings (camping, skiing, birthdays,....) Do you think with a practically nonexistent image stabilization feature, that all my videos will be unwatchable? I rarely use a tripod. I might just end up getting the HF-S100 for $400 more than the Sanyo's price.

Thanks for any input,

If you don't zoom a lot, I think you should be fine. I have the Sanyo FH1 which is the horizontal version of the HD2000. For zoom shots, a tripod is not the only way to keep things steady. Put the cam on something solid like a table, book, and zoom away. If you are sitting, rest the cam on your knee.

Thanks Ron,

So you're saying for normal shooting, I can stand back, hold the camcorder in my hand (or with both hands if need be), record, and the video will be pretty good? Do you notice any headache-inducing jerkiness with your videos?

I don't have any problems unless I zoom. A soft touch works best for holding the cam still.

If you OK with spending $400 more for the HF S100 go for it, it's better camera no doubt,
plus editing is less hassle than MP4s from Sanyo,
I've tried FH1 and I can't say it's EIS is nonexistent, it does a good job compare to IS off,
but again HF Sx is a way better cam:

Canon HF S10 vs Sanyo VPC FH1 on Vimeo

You could get a Canon HF100 (or HV30), with OIS, for close to the same cost as the Sanyo Xacti HD2000.

The advantages of the Sanyo are 1920x1080 60p, resolution, low light capabilities, low noise, price and size.

The cam is tiny, which for me means I can take it with me everywhere all the time. It also helps with blending in. Sometimes you want the camera or yourself to be "invisible". Capturing moments where people are acting naturally because they are not aware they are being recorded.

AVCHD is not so easy to edit either. Many experts are recommending converting for editing purposes regardless if it's AVCHD or AVC/MP4. Cineform NeoScene cost $99.

The Canon S100 is a great cam, but the Sanyo has it's advantages too.

Looking at that Vimeo comparison, I don't mind the oversaturated appearance of the Sanyo. What I am worried about is that many people have said (not necessarily in this thread) that MPEG4 is very hard to edit, I use Vegas Pro 8. The Canon HF-S100 uses AVCHD, which is easier to work with. I typically keep my camcorders for a long time, no upgrade unless it stops working. I was happily travelling along with HDV. How important is it to have 60p of the Sanyo? When will I notice this advantage?

Thanks,

I hate shakiness in my footage, so I would be hesitant about a bad OIS. However, I almost always use a tripod or monopod or hague mmc stabilizer. Therefore, for me, OIS doesn't matter much. It sounds like it would matter for you.

For anyone who likes to shoot handheld, I would recommend a cheap $10 monopod. It makes a huge reduction in camera shake (more of a reduction than OIS), and the monopod is very portable.

For family outings and alike you want all the bells and whistles, good IS, auto-focus etc because tripods and spending time setting focus, WB, exposure and alike isn't an option. You really need to point and shoot. Sony and Canon seem to be the benchmark for HD home use.

As far as AVCHD goes I think Canon and Sony are looking into the future. As people start upgrading to quad core and i7 computers, these issues will disappear.

Os
 

I am also looking at this camera... YES I hate jaggies... I hate MPg- codec... BUT 60P is very nice and smooth... So if you edit in any decent software the use the plug in to stabilize it... V-Dub has several and man they look good.... So don't overlook software to fix this problem...

Canon or anyone else doesn't have 60P .... plus you can buy 2 of these for the price of a canon and I love canons...

Looking at the samples on youtube, vimeo and my own clips, I haven't seen many shaky shots. If there are any, it usually was with full zoom.