An Amazon seller has an HD2000a for about $360. It has a slightly faster lens and audio in and out, but the same record modes as the fh1a. I like mine a lot and take it everywhere.

Unfortunately, the HD2000 was never authorized to be sold in the U.S. and therefore does not come with a valid U.S. warranty. Otherwise, as you point out, it is a slightly better camera than the FH1 due to the faster lens and external audio input. I have an FH1 and use it all the time.

John, you are correct that the HD2000 was not authorized to be sold in the US. However, the HD2000a was absolutely sold in the US with a full warranty. The only real difference between the two is the addition of the iFrame recording mode.

Thanks for the correction, the warranty issue was true when I bought my original FH1 (not an "a" model) and I was unaware that they started importing the HD2000a through authorized channels.

I spoke to Sanyo Corp Exec in Chatsworth Ca. on Friday and they confirmed that the VPC-FH1A has been discontinued. And no replacement model is in the works. The best they have to offer at the moment is the SH1. And admittedly they know it is not as good as the VPC-FH1A. The FH1/A is a shining star amongst the horde of camcorders that get dumped on the market every year. I discussed this with Sanyo and they had no explanation as to why the FH1A was discontinued. They certainly didn't market it well. But those who bought it sure spread the word about it's qualities. They are being scalped on eBay and Amazon right now for more than original retail.

They reason I traded mine away was because I walked into my local Fry's electronics a few months ago and they were blowing them out the door at $150. I asked the sales rep why and he replied to make room for the replacement model. He couldn't tell me when it was coming, but I figured it would be around CES 20011 in January. No such luck!

Yes the VPC-HD2000A has slightly better specs. But it's shape and form factor does not work as well for my needs. The VPC-FH1A is more stable on a monopod than the pistol grip shape of the HD2000A and it fits better in my pocket. Plus I prefer the 3.0" LCD to the 2.7".

I was hoping for a mic input and a LANC port in a refresh to put this camcorder over the top in it's price class.

So if a can't talk John Cline into selling me his - I'll just have to keep checking eBay.

Jay Mitchell

Sorry Jay, as much as I like you, there is no chance in hell that I will be parting with my FH1. It pretty much stays in my pocket all the time for when I see something I want to shoot and have for "stock" footage. The thing looks WAY better than any $400 camcorder should and it shoots full-up 1920x1080-60P AVC at 24Mbps which Sanyo dropped from their later models.

http://us.sanyo.com/Dual-Cameras/VPC-FH1ABK-Full-1080p-HD-Video-and-8MP-Digital-PhotosSanyo VPC-FH1abk[/link]

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-FH1A-Video-Digital-Photos/dp/B002Q4VC9GAlso on Amazon $677.50[/link]

Alan - $677.50 is a scalpers price.

Here is the pricing history for B&H and Amazon

$499 original list price
$450 first price drop
$421 next price drop
$384 Middle of run drop
$279 Until stock ran out a few months ago

Fry's Electronics blew out all remaining stock in November at $150. You can still see the advertisement for this online.

No doubt the FH1 is worth $677.50 because IMHO it is the best camcorder under $800 range and could be purchased for a lot less just a few months ago.

Some guy has one listed on eBay for $250 BIN in Canada. He has no track record as a seller. There are others listed for $384 in Hong Kong.

I traded mine to my media attorney for some work. He loves the camera so much and won't sell it back to me.

I just can't figure why Sanyo would kill this little gem. Maybe Panasonic had a say in it. TM-700 vs FH1?

I currently own the TM700 and the HD2000, and just recently sold my FH1. All are good cameras. The TM700 image quality and optical stabilization are far superior to the Sanyo cams, but the low-light champ is the HD2000. I kept it partly for that reason, and partly because it fits better in my pocket than either of the other cams. Put it on a tripod at night and you've got a great cam; or use it in with my portable mount to clamp it to my electric scooter, and it's plenty good enough.

I often carry it in my pocket with a tiny freebee tripod that came with it as a bonus, and it's surprising how often I can bend those flexible legs to just the right angle to hold it in place on, say, the wooden handrail on the cruise ship to Alaska, or to a nearby fence, or whatever. Great for getting stable shots on the run without either a tripod or built-in image stabilization that works.

A handy little cam indeed, but I must admit that I almost always prefer the TM700 whenever possible. I did carry the TM700 around during my recent trip to Palm Springs, but it is a bit bulky in my pocket.

Jay, I payed £378.29 sterling for my VH1 in November 2009. This one on http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001SAFK4W/ref=asc_df_B001SAFK4W1786664?smid=A2DICHIH6QJA6P&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B001SAFK4WAmazon[/link] is a staggering £894.43!!! Yet others are offered from as little as £299.99 from http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9038939/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-FH1-HD-1080p-Camcorder-Digital-Camera/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0Play.com[/link]

Well I spoke to the guy in Canada today with the FH1 camcorder for sale. He guaranteed it to be used only 3 times and in perfect condition. So, I went ahead and purchased it for $270 including shipping.

Saga Closed