Sharp VLSD20U Digital ViewCam with 3" Color LCD Screen

by Sharp

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 7.2 x 4.3 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004SY5M
• Item model number: VLSD20U
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,381 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sharp VLSD2OU Digital Viewcam offers a wide range of features beyond the standard Hi8 image quality. Its 660,000-pixel CCD image sensor gives its pictures high resolution and clarity. It provides a large 3-inch LCD screen using Sharp's unique swivel design, making it easy to shoot from different angles. Image stabilization help reduce camera shake, and a 100x digital zoom gets you extra close to the action. This Viewcam's PCM digital audio reproduction and Wind Break microphone provide the sound quality of digital audio tape for playback and recording. Digital gamma compensation adjusts only the dark parts of a shot to optimal brightness levels, leaving the bright sections untouched so they don't become glaringly washed out. The lightweight, palm-size body makes this Viewcam one of smallest and most travel-friendly models on the market.

Product Description

N/A

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Use, August 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp VLSD20U Digital ViewCam with 3" Color LCD Screen (Electronics)

This Sharp camcorder is easy to use and takes great video. I researched camcorders for a few months before purchasing this camera. It is inexpensive for a digital camcorder. When transferring the tape to VHS you lose very little clarity. My recommendation is to buy this camera if you are in the market for camcorder that takes great video and is easy to use.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good camcorder for the price, September 30, 2001

By 

gerald wagner "Timeman" (gloversville, ny USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sharp VLSD20U Digital ViewCam with 3" Color LCD Screen (Electronics)

My sharp camcorder is a little small to handle there is no place to hold it without having a problem using a fuction. Picture and sound are good. Camera is some what hard to keep steady when filming. I could't order a extra battery from Amazon.com they do not carry them when i did find one it was $80.00. that takes the edge off the good price. If i could i would send it back and buy another model of sharp camcorder.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best mini-DV camcorder for the features and money, November 5, 2001

By 

Bruce E Pflieger (Houston, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sharp VLSD20U Digital ViewCam with 3" Color LCD Screen (Electronics)

My wife and I were having our first child. My father-in-law said I should have a digital camera and a video camera. I wanted a product that would combine the two (...). I didn't know much about them when I started my hunt. I was aimed at the Sharp product from the start because of its style, no viewfinder, a simple LCD screen acts as viewfinder and monitor, also I liked how the screen and camera can twist 270 degrees from each other. Here are some things I really liked: mini-DV format; 660,000 pixel CCD, this is very important for the image size; manual control of focusing, color, etc.; ability to shoot single images (9 or 16 in group) at 1/10 second separation for fast moving sports; digital image stabilization; ability to brighten forground objects against a bright background; ease of use if you read the instruction manual; and availability of Sharp developed software and cable for image transfer to the computer. A few tradeoffs: basic battery is short lived, longer life battery is available, and AC/DC adapter provided and charging is quick; slight motor hum/whine that is picked up by microphone when recording, not serious problem because the frequency is such that any voice or other sound will cover it up and if you do not think about it you will probably not hear it; and I could not find it in any store and had to purchase over the internet (this turned out very easy and great). Conclusion, buy this camcorder and the software, for the features and the money you cannot lose. P.S.: be careful not to compare pixels in camcorder to digital camera, a $150 digital camera, 1.3 mega pixel will beat a $700 camcorder, 0.7 mega pixel. An important question to ask is what resolution will the camcorder create images at for sending on the internet? An average I found was 640 x 480, about 0.3 mega pixel.