Rating: 
Summary: Excellent value for the price (<$300), Good Basic Beginner's
Review: * This camcorder is one of the better buys for a cheap DV camcorder that'll give you solid performance and decent quality for the price. Don't expect it to blow away $800+ 3CCD high-end camcorders, but do expect about 350 lines of resolution under EIA 1956 test pattern tests.
* While video quality isn't the very best when viewed on a PC monitor (vs. high-end camcorders), watching the end results on most non-HDTV TV sets give you very good video quality and nice results.
* Menuing system and layout works well for me, and no manual needed. Overall, it's simple enough that my 3 year old niece took it from my hands and filmed her own birthday by herself. That easy to learn and use!
* A few manual controls such as manual iris, gain, white balance make this a nice beginner level videographer's camcorder as well -- ie. good for learning, students.
* Stabilization isn't as good as on the more expensive, so tripod or simply hold it steady on wide angle. You can get nice results with the latter.
* Still pictures only 640x480 and grainy, but decent just to get a still image idea of what's going on for reference. Bring a digital camera if you really want good stills. Otherwise, works well and no real problems.
* Build is nice for the price. Solid and nice feel in hands. Comes with everything except a blank tape and perhaps a bag if you want to carry it in something.
* Battery lasts 1 1/2 hours or so -- one battery, one tape. Just buy and carry one battery for every tape you expect to use - easy to remember. Charges in about 2 hrs.
* Can't find a single big reason to return it for the price -- just a nicely priced, beginner's DV camcorder that does quite a lot. A happy little toy!
* Sony DCR-HC40 is a big step up in build, image quality, stabilization, etc., but that's comparing a $600 to a sub-$300 camcorder now. Thus, 5 stars for the features & price. When compared to the very best camcorders costing $$$, it's only average but that's comparing the gold standard to something far cheaper. But if budget isn't a problem, the Sony is the better choice of the two.
* More accessories on Sharp Japan's website, but you'll have to find an importer for those items. Limited mostly to filters, extra battery, remote control (~$45), etc. Remote control is hardly ever used - unless you're the type to plug the camcorder up to the TV far away from you because you don't have long enough cables to plop the camcorder in your lap for control.
* DV transfer to XP PC works flawlessly and w/o problems.
* Nice manual - explains every feature in depth.
* Light and comfortably small! Almost like those smallest vertical camcorders. Can film for hours w/o weighing down the arms.
* A little bit of tape motor noise if the scene is quiet - not like the Sony, which is silent - but nothing noticed nor obnoxious when used in normal noise level scenes. Still, if you're filming something important, may get the Sony or an external mic & tape setup for the audio.
* Low-light performance is good. Grain level is decent and not glaring or bad although noticable, and you still can get a watchable image indoors at night. (again, not the best vs. $$$ camcorders, but decent for a consumer's level camcorder at this price)
* Overall, you can't go wrong with this low-priced, beginner's DV camcorder. Really nothing wrong with it, and if handled properly, it'll give years of solid use and fun w/o a problem. Don't expect the world from this camcorder, just a good average performance, and you'll be fine. (if you're picky, want the best/better, etc. get the Sony noted earlier, or any high-end 3CCD camcorder)
* Solid buy for beginner's, low-budget parents and kids, students gettting started, explorer's, teens, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent value for the price (<$300), Good Basic Beginner's
Review: * This camcorder is one of the better buys for a cheap DV camcorder that'll give you solid performance and decent quality for the price. Don't expect it to blow away $800+ 3CCD high-end camcorders, but do expect about 350 lines of resolution under EIA 1956 test pattern tests.
* While video quality isn't the very best when viewed on a PC monitor (vs. high-end camcorders), watching the end results on most non-HDTV TV sets give you very good video quality and nice results.
* Menuing system and layout works well for me, and no manual needed. Overall, it's simple enough that my 3 year old niece took it from my hands and filmed her own birthday by herself. That easy to learn and use!
* A few manual controls such as manual iris, gain, white balance make this a nice beginner level videographer's camcorder as well -- ie. good for learning, students.
* Stabilization isn't as good as on the more expensive, so tripod or simply hold it steady on wide angle. You can get nice results with the latter.
* Still pictures only 640x480 and grainy, but decent just to get a still image idea of what's going on for reference. Bring a digital camera if you really want good stills. Otherwise, works well and no real problems.
* Build is nice for the price. Solid and nice feel in hands. Comes with everything except a blank tape and perhaps a bag if you want to carry it in something.
* Battery lasts 1 1/2 hours or so -- one battery, one tape. Just buy and carry one battery for every tape you expect to use - easy to remember. Charges in about 2 hrs.
* Can't find a single big reason to return it for the price -- just a nicely priced, beginner's DV camcorder that does quite a lot. A happy little toy!
* Sony DCR-HC40 is a big step up in build, image quality, stabilization, etc., but that's comparing a $600 to a sub-$300 camcorder now. Thus, 5 stars for the features & price. When compared to the very best camcorders costing $$$, it's only average but that's comparing the gold standard to something far cheaper. But if budget isn't a problem, the Sony is the better choice of the two.
* More accessories on Sharp Japan's website, but you'll have to find an importer for those items. Limited mostly to filters, extra battery, remote control (~$45), etc. Remote control is hardly ever used - unless you're the type to plug the camcorder up to the TV far away from you because you don't have long enough cables to plop the camcorder in your lap for control.
* DV transfer to XP PC works flawlessly and w/o problems.
* Nice manual - explains every feature in depth.
* Light and comfortably small! Almost like those smallest vertical camcorders. Can film for hours w/o weighing down the arms.
* A little bit of tape motor noise if the scene is quiet - not like the Sony, which is silent - but nothing noticed nor obnoxious when used in normal noise level scenes. Still, if you're filming something important, may get the Sony or an external mic & tape setup for the audio.
* Low-light performance is good. Grain level is decent and not glaring or bad although noticable, and you still can get a watchable image indoors at night. (again, not the best vs. $$$ camcorders, but decent for a consumer's level camcorder at this price)
* Overall, you can't go wrong with this low-priced, beginner's DV camcorder. Really nothing wrong with it, and if handled properly, it'll give years of solid use and fun w/o a problem. Don't expect the world from this camcorder, just a good average performance, and you'll be fine. (if you're picky, want the best/better, etc. get the Sony noted earlier, or any high-end 3CCD camcorder)
* Solid buy for beginner's, low-budget parents and kids, students gettting started, explorer's, teens, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: What you pay is what you get
Review: ... I was happy about its small size and nice LCD, but disappointed with its poor picture quality. Not only indoor shot but also outdoor shot was very poor - very grainy, and poor color reproduction. I was expecting very sharp and clear image but it was not. Hence I returned this to amazon. If you do not care about the image and color, then you can go for this. If not, search more and make a wise decision.
Rating: 
Summary: Good basic digital camcorder
Review: At the time my purchase, the Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV camera was the least expensive digital camcorder on the market. Price was very important for me. Here's what I have found to be "important" aspects of the camcorder that I didn't know before I ordered it.1. The camcorder can record video on miniDV tapes or take pictures and store them on SD (secure digital) memory cards. However, the camcorder came without either media. Silly me, I had expected that the camcorder come with one miniDV tape to get me started, but no. I had to run out and buy a miniDV tape in the evening. 2. The camcorder comes with 3 ways to "download" images or video:USB, DV, AV. The USB port allows the computer to download digital pictures from the SD card, the DV (digital video, aka 1394 port) allows a computer equipped with a 1394 port to download the video to the computer, and the AV port allows connection to a TV to show the video. The camcorder does not support USB streaming, so you cannot download the video through the USB port, it has to be through the 1394 (DV) port. The camcorder also does not allow for the camera to store video on the SD memory card. So pictures has to go on the SD memory card, and it has to be downloaded through the USB port. The video has to go on the miniDV tape and downloaded through the 1394 (DV) port. More advanced (expensive) camcorders support recording on the memory card, and/or USB streaming. For the price difference, I found that it was easier (cheaper) for me to add a 1394 card to my computer. It was also very easy to download the video and start making movies using the camcorder, the 1394 card, and moviemaker on WinXP. Overall, I was quite happy with the camcorder. I still think that they should have included one miniDV tape, but that's just a nitpick.
Rating:
Summary: Good basic digital camcorder
Review: At the time my purchase, the Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV camera was the least expensive digital camcorder on the market. Price was very important for me. Here's what I have found to be "important" aspects of the camcorder that I didn't know before I ordered it. 1. The camcorder can record video on miniDV tapes or take pictures and store them on SD (secure digital) memory cards. However, the camcorder came without either media. Silly me, I had expected that the camcorder come with one miniDV tape to get me started, but no. I had to run out and buy a miniDV tape in the evening. 2. The camcorder comes with 3 ways to "download" images or video:USB, DV, AV. The USB port allows the computer to download digital pictures from the SD card, the DV (digital video, aka 1394 port) allows a computer equipped with a 1394 port to download the video to the computer, and the AV port allows connection to a TV to show the video. The camcorder does not support USB streaming, so you cannot download the video through the USB port, it has to be through the 1394 (DV) port. The camcorder also does not allow for the camera to store video on the SD memory card. So pictures has to go on the SD memory card, and it has to be downloaded through the USB port. The video has to go on the miniDV tape and downloaded through the 1394 (DV) port. More advanced (expensive) camcorders support recording on the memory card, and/or USB streaming. For the price difference, I found that it was easier (cheaper) for me to add a 1394 card to my computer. It was also very easy to download the video and start making movies using the camcorder, the 1394 card, and moviemaker on WinXP. Overall, I was quite happy with the camcorder. I still think that they should have included one miniDV tape, but that's just a nitpick.
Rating:
Summary: Tape Trouble
Review: First time leaving a review, but thought it might help buyers... I was interested in buying a MiniDV and saw a great deal listed on Amazon (...) for the VLZ3U. Unfortunately, only used it a couple of hours before the tape-loading mechanism started acting up and basically prevented the tape from loading even once it finally closed. After returning to Amazon, I bought another (...). The first time I tried to use it (pre-wedding family function), a brand new tape got stuck in it, and it wouldn't let me eject or use it. Needless to say, returned that one as well. Bad luck once, perhaps. Twice, probably not. Generally, the camera was otherwise good. Low-light wasn't, but it's possible I still needed to master the settings. When I did set them for best results (i.e., backlight,...), some of the settings would reset when I turned it off/on again. A royal pain. The swivel design was an excellent feature that you'll appreciate in actual use -- e.g., shooting over a huddled crowd to see into the middle, or shooting something low to the ground. Very easy on the hand/arm. Giving it 3 stars because of the problems, otherwise would be 4.
Rating:
Summary: Tape Trouble
Review: First time leaving a review, but thought it might help buyers... I was interested in buying a MiniDV and saw a great deal listed on Amazon (...) for the VLZ3U. Unfortunately, only used it a couple of hours before the tape-loading mechanism started acting up and basically prevented the tape from loading even once it finally closed. After returning to Amazon, I bought another (...). The first time I tried to use it (pre-wedding family function), a brand new tape got stuck in it, and it wouldn't let me eject or use it. Needless to say, returned that one as well. Bad luck once, perhaps. Twice, probably not. Generally, the camera was otherwise good. Low-light wasn't, but it's possible I still needed to master the settings. When I did set them for best results (i.e., backlight,...), some of the settings would reset when I turned it off/on again. A royal pain. The swivel design was an excellent feature that you'll appreciate in actual use -- e.g., shooting over a huddled crowd to see into the middle, or shooting something low to the ground. Very easy on the hand/arm. Giving it 3 stars because of the problems, otherwise would be 4.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Hello Tyrel,
You have Googled the heck out of me.
Rating:
Summary: Good starter camera
Review: I bought this camera for my girlfriend. I went by the advice of my friends and went right to a MiniDV camera because everything else was becoming obsolete. This looked to be a good deal at the bottom of the price range. What we got was a good deal, but is certainly not the best out there. Basic functions are intuitive and the overall design is good. I love the way the body of the camera twists. I was able to easily film the Pirate show at TI in Vegas over the crowds! The LCD screen is bright and clear. Now the bad stuff. The image stabilization is a joke, especially when zoomed in on anything. The picture seems better with it off. Also as mentioned before, low light picture quality is pretty grainy. I was expecting better, but I have to remind myself that this is a low end camera. Battery life is acceptable considering I use the LCD screen all the time. The still photo feature is handy but the picture quality is nothing compared to a regular digital still camera. Don't buy this camera just for this feature! So overall, this camera pretty much does its job, and I can't complain too much considering the price. We didn't buy it to do professional quality filming. If I did, I'd be disappointed. But as a basic camera, it does its job fine.
Rating:
Summary: good camera, good price
Review: I bought this camera for my husband for Xmas at an excellent price, and have to say I am very happy with it. Although the picture is grainy in low light, it is clear enough to capture the moment. We are not professionals, and this camcorder is great for filming home movies.
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