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-Z1U 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 standard IEEE1394 (Firewire) connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer, 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-Z1U camcorder, AC adapter, lithium-ion battery pack, A/V-S cable, and lens cap.

CONS - 1. Donot have still capability as there are no SD/MMC
memory attachment.
2. Does not have a USB port. Instead it has a firewire
port. So U need to buy the hardware.


Not as good compared to Sony   March 22, 2004
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I would give it three and a half stars.
Showing an indoor and outdoor movies from this camera on a 27 inch TV I didn't hear complaints about the image quality, but I should note the cons and pros.

Cons: this is not a high-end model. The image quality is worse, than from Sony. The indoor picture is grainy (the less light - the more grainy) and darker, than from Sony. Viewfinder is tiny and very blurry. It gets crisp only if you are 3 inches away from the camera. You will have to use only the LCD. Half of a second after you zoom in, the picture is blurry, untill the camera focuses. You notice barrel distortion at wide angle on the picture. The colors seem to be colder and less rich than they are indeed. When a source of bright light is in the picture together with darker areas, Sony performs better.

Pros: The outdoor image quality and indoor with sufficient light is, well, acseptable. Small size and weight - you can always take it with you. It has 10 times optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD screen for viewing what you are filming. Less expensive than many other brands and models.


Best digital camcorder of it's class/feature level..   June 12, 2003
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

Would have been a 5, but see the pro/con list for why not. I am thrilled with the camera. Excellent video, Brand and performance are Sharp, indeed. For the features and video quality it has, the price is simply not been met by any other. This was compared to the base Sony ( pricey ) and Panasonic ( poor color reproduction ) models in the small cube compact category. It was 100-200 bucks less than those, and equalled or outperformed them. Simply a great accomplishment by Sharp. The video is beautiful, the LCD is simply outstanding and best I have seen. It is a top loader! Has the Analog to digital conversion ports that the higher priced competition doesn't have. Swivel body design is ingenious. Less than perfect is the menu system, and the somewhat clumsy controls for it. Extended life battery is not an option as the battery mounts INSIDE, behind the LCD when closed. You will want a second battery!! Final negative, the battery charges in camera. It would have been nice to have a seperate charger considering the battery situation stated above. PROs: Swivel body feature really handy, GREAT video, has Analog to Digital conversion ability not found on more expensive competition, superb LCD, TOPLOADER! excellent price/value.
Cons: Battery capacity restricted by internal mounting and no seperate charger to offset this, clumsy menu/controls - but workable, no external mic input.


WOW!!   June 10, 2003
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Being new to the world of digital video cameras, I can only say that I am very happy with this camera. Although it is packed with features that you can adjust manually, I found the automatic focus, light adjustment, etc., are extremely good. The zoom, even without digital enhancement, is powerful and fast. Playback is clear and easy to control. The size is perfect -- very small, very light. Good battery life. It works very well under low-light conditions. The only drawback is that it does not come with a cable to connect it to your computer (it will connect with Fire-Wire). It does come with the cable to hook it to your VCR or TV. One feature that a friend commented on was the view-screen that folds in, reducing the finger-prints on the screen (his screen in on the back of his camera). We all love this camera -- it is simple and seems pretty [easy to operate].