Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Memory Slot

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Manufacturer: Sharp
Price at amazon.com: $299.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with SD or MMC memory slot
• 10x optical, 500x digital zoom with electric image stabilization
• 2.5-inch LCD display and monochrome viewfinder
• 225-degree free angle grip
• Lithium-ion battery fits inside camera

Product Description:

With a free angle range of 225 degrees, you can easily swivel the Sharp VL-Z3U to shoot from a high angle, low angle, or even back at yourself without straining your wrist. The VL-Z3U is also a well-equipped digital camcorder that features a 10x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD display, black and white viewfinder, and a memory card slot for digital stills. Image Stabilization Sharp uses electric picture stabilization that keeps your images smooth and steady. Natural jerks and shaky holding will be smoothed over with this function turned on. Optics The 1/4-inch CCD has 680,000 pixels for sharp and clear imaging. The 10x optical zoom is effective for most purposes, but if you need extra close shots the camcorder can zoom up to 500x digitally. For low-light situations, the camcorder can operate in slow shutter mode for slow-moving or stable objects and night lumi mode for bright objects at night. More Features The VL-Z3U features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a black and white viewfinder. The LCD monitor incorporates new CG silicon technology to achieve high luminance and definition, making viewing easy even in broad daylight. The rechargeable battery snugly clips inside the frame of the camcorder, rather than outside like most other camcorders. This makes the camera less bulky and easier to carry. The camcorder also has a memory slot that is compatible with Secure Digital or MultiMedia Cards, so you can take digital stills and import them onto a computer via the USB port. The standard IEEE1394 (Firewire) connection can be used for digital video editing, while the standard AV output terminal is used for viewing on TV or dubbing. MiniDV Format MiniDV is the new preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Contents This package includes the VL-Z3U camcorder, AC adapter, lithium-ion battery pack, A/V-S cable, lens cap, USB cable, and USB driver software.

Description from Manufacturer:With a free angle range of 225 degrees, you can easily swivel the Sharp VL-Z3U to shoot from a high angle, low angle, or even back at yourself without straining your wrist. The VL-Z3U is also a well-equipped digital camcorder that features a 10x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD display, black and white viewfinder, and a memory card slot for digital stills.

Image Stabilization
Sharp uses electric picture stabilization that keeps your images smooth and steady. Natural jerks and shaky holding will be smoothed over with this function turned on.

Optics
The 1/4-inch CCD has 680,000 pixels for sharp and clear imaging. The 10x optical zoom is effective for most purposes, but if you need extra close shots the camcorder can zoom up to 500x digitally. For low-light situations, the camcorder can operate in slow shutter mode for slow-moving or stable objects and night lumi mode for bright objects at night.

More Features
The VL-Z3U features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a black and white viewfinder. The LCD monitor incorporates new CG silicon technology to achieve high luminance and definition, making viewing easy even in broad daylight. The rechargeable battery snugly clips inside the frame of the camcorder, rather than outside like most other camcorders. This makes the camera less bulky and easier to carry.

The camcorder also has a memory slot that is compatible with Secure Digital or MultiMedia Cards, so you can take digital stills and import them onto a computer via the USB port. The standard IEEE1394 (Firewire) connection can be used for digital video editing, while the standard AV output terminal is used for viewing on TV or dubbing.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the new preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the VL-Z3U camcorder, AC adapter, lithium-ion battery pack, A/V-S cable, lens cap, USB cable, and USB driver software.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Best bang for the buck; Great for students Rating:
This camera beats out all others in the budget MiniDV camcorder group. I also considered the Sony DCR-TRV19 (too expensive), Panasonic PV-DCx series (ditto), Canon ZR60 (great zoom, but washed out image), and the JVC GR-Dx series (clunky). The LCD on this thing is amazing (go compare at your local electronics store) and the film quality is great; I wasn't disappointed. Low light performance is admittedly not all that great but neither is it on any of the others in the budget group (unless you like B/W infrared recordings with the Sony or Samsung line). It's tiny (fits in your palm) - you can't get a camera this small for this price and it's made by Sharp (in Japan) so you know it's reliable. The ability to rotate the lens is very useful for filming in crowds. And despite what I read in some reviews about the menu being confusing - it wasn't at all. The only faults I find are probably the battery (short life, no larger capacity battery available), but that's just the tradeoff of getting a camera this size, and a nonexistent headphone jack so everyone gets to hear when you playback the tape.

If you're looking for a MiniDV camcorder that's small, lightweight (1 lb), has all the features you're actually going to use, AND has great picture quality, nothing currently out there beats this camcorder at this price.

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Comment: Good value for the price Rating:
I really like this camcorder and if you want to start shooting some family videos, trying your hand at digital editing or replacing that 5 pound vhs unit you bought 10 years ago, I highly recommend this camcorder for good results with low wallet impact. Yes, the low light performance is fair to poor. Yes, the image stabilization is mediocre and the still pictures aren't megapixel quality (they're not bad though), but what a fun camera to shoot and edit with! It's light, easy to use and delivers darn good quality with enough light in both DV and stills.

Pros: Small and light, easy to use, decent pic quality (in good light), firewire port for editing full motion video on your PC, FUN!.

Cons: Poor low light performance, fair image stabilization, no SD memory card, firewire cable, or editing software included.

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Comment: Good camcorder, good value! Rating:
Just bought this and used it for a trip to Asia; fit perfectly inside a fanny pack. I chose this for its small size, the light weight, low price and the LCD screen. I didn't want anything fancy, but rather something easy to use since I'm not a techie. Video picture quality is very good, photo quality is OK but remember that this is a digital video camcorder and not a digital camera. However, I liked that it could take both video and stills - it made it easy to carry on vacation. LCD screen is terrific - very clear and bright. Controls are easy to use. The battery is inside the camera so it doesn't add extra bulk to the camera. Also, if it's hooked up to a tripod you don't have to take it off the tripod to change the battery or the tape. Bought the camcorder right here at Amazon - best price + $50 rebate, best service - got it delivered for free within 5 days and didn't have to pay any sales tax. Pros - small size, price, LCD screen, easy to use. Best feature for me is its small size and light weight; simply put, if it's easy to carry then I'm more likely to take videos. Cons - image stabilization, especially when zooming in, is almost non-existent. Also, it makes strange, cheap sounding noises when ejecting and re-installing the tape but that's just nitpicking. Overall, if you're looking for a good basic camcorder to shoot family videos it can't be beat. Good features at a good price = good value. Highly recommended!

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)