1981 Sanyo VSC-450 handheld color camera

This is a consumer color camera with some very advanced features, making it a luxury model. It uses a 2/3 inch striped-target vidicon tube, and features an electronic viewfinder, an extendable microphone, and a 6X zoom lens with a 2-speed power-zoom option.

This was one of the first consumer cameras to incorporate built-in VCR playback controls on the camera. Seen on the side, there are record, play, rewind, fast forward, and stop buttons. The VCR for this camera is the Sanyo VPR-4800, which is a Beta VCR. The camera connector is a 14-pin CCJ type plug, which was used on all cameras that mate to Beta machines. The original price of the whole system including the camera, VCR, and TV tuner, was $1,098.

Other features on the camera are a color temp switch, red & blue dial, and iris, sensitivity, and color adjust switches. The power zoom lever is just above the pistol grip, which folds down for packaging.