Sharp VL-H860U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder

by Sharp

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JIJD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,454 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Sharp VL-H860U combines an easy-to-use, unique design with a super-close-up zoom and special effects to create a camcorder that's both fun and powerful. Its high- quality Hi-8 format ensures that your videos will be extra sharp and clear. This camcorder is a great choice for family use.

The Sharp VL-H860U's design lets you hold the camera above your head or facing you while you swivel the main screen portion toward you. This design is even more intuitive than the flip-out LCD screen used in most camcorders. The only drawback to this design is that the Sharp VL- H860U doesn't have an additional optical viewfinder. It was exceptionally easy to hold and point, however, feeling more like a large, square film camera than a bulky, oblong camcorder--plus it is quite an eye-catcher.

The Sharp VL-H860U's Hi8 format, a better-quality version of 8mm film, records clearer, sharper and more colorful videos than those recorded on VHS, VHS-C, or traditional 8mm tapes. Hi8 is the best-quality video you can get short of going digital.

The Sharp VL-H860U has up to 22x optical zoom and a whopping 200x digital zoom--useful for filming sporting events and other long-distance views. However, raising the magnification reduces the quality of the image. This camcorder comes with a wide range of exposure and special effects options, including backlight compensation, fade, strobe, and picture effects. It also has digital image stabilization, useful for shaky subjects.

Another feature we liked was the Sharp VL-H860U's single-shot camera ability, which lets you take snapshots accompanied by sound. Although this camcorder doesn't have the computer-transfer capabilities of a digital camera, it is still fun to take photos on the tape as well as video.

Pros:

• Unique, easy-to-use design
• Large 3-inch LCD screen
• Wide range of exposure and picture effects
• Still-shot capability
• High-quality Hi-8mm format

Cons:

• No optical viewfinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nice but???, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp VL-H860U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder (Electronics)

I puchased the Sharp and found it easy to use but disapointing in low light and indoor situations with slow auto focus and color shifting. I finally replaced it with a Sony TRV66 which is quite a bit more expensive but performs much better all round.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Deal From Amazon.Com, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp VL-H860U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder (Electronics)

I ordered it from Amazon and it came in 2 days (with 2 day air UPS option). This is a very functional camcorders and well-priced for a Hi-8 unit. It lacks the touch-sensitive screen found on the higher-end Sharp units, using rather small clikc-type buttons across the bottom of the screen. The Electronic Image Stabilization seems to only work welll when you are zoomed in on high-contrast shapes. That enables it to lock in and stabilize the image. Stabilization does not seem to work at all on general scenes lacking these characteristics. Compared with my own Sony, the image sensitivity does not seem as good, even in a normally lit room. Without bright lights on, the colors seem faded and without saturation. A good all around Hi-8 unit for the price, but maybe not for a lot of inside use.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb picture quality easy to use for the whole family, July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp VL-H860U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder (Electronics)

I could not find a better camera for the money on the market. I have just finished a week long cruise with all lighting conditions. exceptional pictures. The stabilization mode works well.