Rating: 
Summary: Best bang for the buck; Great for students
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: LOVE IT
Review: This is the perfect little camcorder. It's light, easy to operate and reasonably priced. I was also pleased with the results from recording indoors. My only complaint is the picture gets really shaky while using the zoom function while recording.
Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT
Review: This is the perfect little camcorder. It's light, easy to operate and reasonably priced. I was also pleased with the results from recording indoors. My only complaint is the picture gets really shaky while using the zoom function while recording.
Rating:
Summary: Great deal, impressive size, unique design.
Review: When I unpacked my Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder, I was pleasantly surprised on how small the camera was. Sharp did a great job in designing the swiveling handgrip that allows you to shot ergonomically in almost any hand positions. The LCD is very bright and has a function that allow the user to turn off the backlight much like a Pocket PC to conserve battery when operating in well lit areas. The attractive feature of the camera that may be appealing to those that want simplicity, is the fact that the overall unit does not have an overwhelming number of button and switches and other thing that most laypeople will never use. Most of those settings can be found in the "Menu" that is tricky at first, but logical in design. Manual functions allow users to manipulate white balance, iris and gain, but to have to do this though non-designated function keys may deter people that prefer manual operation. The "Auto" setting does a very good job in evaluating white balance especially in indoor to outdoor transition shots and with incandescent lighting.
The most noticeable drawback to this camera is battery life, although it handles pretty good with the supplied 1000mAh Li-ion, the lack of the ability to use an oversized battery for extend shooting time is not possible since the battery compartment is enclosed within the fold-out LCD screen. This makes the LCD backlight override option even more attractive when trying to conserve battery. Most of my heavy use comes from my coaching position that requires me to recompose my shots almost every time I turn on my camera to take a shot. Even with the heavy use, the battery gives me about 1½ to 2 hours of standby and shooting time with the LCD on, a little less (about ½ hour) if I leave the LCD backlight on. I've bought 2 extra batteries which is more than enough, but highly suggested to avoid the dreaded "low battery" indication on those times that you wish you had a fully charged battery.
Over all I think this camera was a great purchase for the price that I paid. I have used more superior cameras before, and like most people, did not intend to spend over $400 even for a digital based camcorder. I and enjoy what sharp has put into this unit, especially the unique design for user-friendly operation.
Rating:
Summary: Good value and performance where it counts!!!
Review: When taking movies and living with a camcorder for more then a couple of hours or days you figure what is really important to you and the whole experience and what is not as important.
First I suppose is the format, digital is a given at this point, and mini DV seems to be a standard at this and higher price points. About price point, this camcorder is hard to beat there.
Then what are you using the camcorder for? To take digital still pictures? I sure hope not , judging this camcorder by that standard is unfair and for the most part irrelavent.
You are using the camcorder to take movies which this camcorder does a very nice job of and I would say a better then average job of. The viewscreen is much better then average and is bright and clear.
Ever use a camcorder for a while and even though there is more to shoot you still put it down because it is not comfortable to shoot anymore. Your hand or arm or whatever is sore. I think that has happened to most of us. The ergonomics and design of this camcorder goes a long way to help with that kind of problem. It is easier to hold and shoot longer with it. I judge that as very important to me. Probably more important then the particular low light performance characteristics of this vs. that vs.something else etc.
You can order a remote for this camera if you want and the battery life is good but an extra is always a good idea.
The menu controls and etc. take some getting used to, but I assume you are buying the camera for more then a days use. Once you use it a little while, it is very functional and thorough.
This camcorder takes relatively effortless, decent quality movies, in digital format at a very affordable price.
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