Everything you need: unbiased reviews, product specs and great deals.
|
Sharp VL-NZ155U Mini DV CamcorderThe VL-NZ155U is a digital Viewcam supplied with two batteries for over 3.5 hours of recording time and a 16MB SD memory card for storing...
Read More
The VL-NZ155U is a digital Viewcam supplied with two batteries for over 3.5 hours of recording time and a 16MB SD memory card for storing still images. The VL-NZ155U has a black body design for a high-style look.16 MB SD Memory Card/Slot allows the Viewcam to operate as a digital still camera and as a camcorder. The full motion video is recorded onto a DVC tape while digital stills are stored on the supplied memory card which allows easy transfer to a PC via a built in USB port. Standard and long life batteries allow for over 3.5 hours of video operation at one time without recharging so that no special moments are missed. Digital Picture Effects allow different digital effects (B&W, Sepia, NEG) to be viewed without effecting the original recording and give your video a custom edited look. i.Link (IEEE1394) PC Port is a digital port for transferring full motion video and sound to a PC equipped with an i.Link port.
Minimize
|
|
4 Reviews from Shopping.com
|
Sharp VL-NZ155U
| Author's Rating: |
|
Pros: Wonderful price. Great performance for a beginner. Easy to use. Two Batteries.
Cons: Neck Strap not included. So small it's difficult for big hands.
The Bottom Line:
Get one while you can!
Having just graduated from a Sharp VL-E49 8mm ViewCam this unit is remarkable. It is MUCH smaller, has almost every feature you can have in a mini DV camcorder. And it's currently being sold at a price that can't be beat! This is probably in preparation for next year's new model. I'm talking about the fact that this camcorder is available for under $399, not including a $100 rebate from Sharp. (That's under $300 for a brand new in the box mini DV camcorder!).
I will admit that I miss some features of the much more expensive Sony digital8 model I use at work. The VL-NZ155U dosn't have a built-in light, or infrared features, it is also missing a microphone jack. (However, a trip to RadioShack can easily solve that with a makeshift adapter).
A convenient feature is the ability to take VGA resolution still photos and store them on the built in SD card. While not as sharp as the new multi-megapixel cameras, still a nice convenient feature for snapshots. Much better than carrying around a Polaroid camera!
A want to mention the quality of Sharp ViewCams. I have had the VL-E49 since 1997 and have made over 200 8mm tapes with it including rewinding and fast-forwarding. I also dropped it onto a brick fireplace about three years ago. These things take a beating and keep on working. I'll also mention that I visited a Fry's, where they have the Sharp VL-NZ105U model on display. With the sales guy right next to me I literally almost tried to break the camera. I tried to twist and pull the halves apart with reasonable force. I open and shut the tape door harshly. I even pushed the tape loading mechanism even though it tells you NOT to, unlike my old 8mm. It still functioned perfectly. We even dropped it onto the display table while it was taping. The sales guy mentioned that people tend to torture test the Sharp ViewCam models like this because they look flimsy compaired to the one-piece models everyone else makes. About the only complaint he has ever heard regarding these models is with the Nintendo style control switch. He says that in the store some customers try to twist it, or really bang on it, and it DOES break. It's the only part of the camera that he has seen fail, other than a cracked screen. However, under normal use this should not be a problem.
I will torture test my new camera at toddler birthday parties, at the beach, and down ski slopes this winter. But I'll try not to crack the screen, or beat the control switch!
Back to all reviews
