Over the past couple years, the portable video recorder niche (or Handycams as they used to be called back in the digital stone age called the 80's) has blossomed. Thanks to the miracle of miniaturization, what once was the size of an old fashioned metal lunch box is now the size of a small cell phone! The Sanyo Xacti PD2 pocket camcorder is one such miracle of miniaturization as it not only boasts 1080p recording but also an amazingly small price tag of only $170. So what does $170 get you these days? Read on for my full review to find out.

The Verdict:
While it does have many limitations, if you understand these limitations and work within them, you will be happy with the Sanyo Xacti PD2 pocket camcorder. With such a low asking price its hard to not like it! Just don't forget to buy a SD card as one is not included!

The Good:
+ Affordable
+ Decent grip and feel
+ 3x optical zoom
+ 60fps video capture
+ Easy to use
+ Fairly colour accurate colours
+ Pretty quick recharge time
+ Uploading software comes preloaded on the device
+ Stereo microphone

The Bad:
- Short warranty
- Digital not optical image stabilization
- Very basic camera abilities (no control over ISO, shutter speed, aperture, etc)
- Digital zoom can not be turned OFF
- Can not zoom OUT further than what you start recording at
- Short battery life
- No SD card included
- Microphones are on the SIDE and NOT forward facing
- While screen is on the back, the small speaker is on the FRONT
- Less than great low light video abilities
- 60fps limited to ONLY 720p capture
- No editing software included