Sharp VLAH50U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder
Ranking: 9.0 out of 10
Manufacturer: Sharp
Model Number: VL-AH50U
Product Code: 074000352513
Price: $399.99 -- get the latest pricing from Amazon
Features:
- Hi8 format
- 3-inch LCD view screen
- Digital image stabilization
- Six different digital special effects
- 16x optical/400x total zoom
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Description:
Tiny buttons drive you nuts? Try a touch screen! Who needs a standard squint 'n' peek viewfinder when Sharp's Viewcam design offers a 3-inch color LCD screen that swivels 270 degrees? Without the camera stuck in your face, you can easily see what's going on around you, shoot over crowds or even point the camera back at yourself.The VL-AH50U's controls put exposure settings, a titling option and special effects literally at your fingertips. And don't worry about fingerprints or smudges: Finger oils don't stick to the LCD's special coating. The LCD is a special "low reflective" model for use in daylight. The 16x optical zoom is among the best for capturing far-away scenes.Get more product details from Amazon
User Reviews -- Add a new review for this Product
Value and Power for under $400
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 10! out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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A few weeks ago I was shopping around for a a new camcorder to replace my sony video recorder from 1985. Since it had been so long since I had done any shopping I carefully weighed my options. Hi8 creates an almost 40% clearer and sharper image than regular 8mm. I don't have the equipment to connect my pc to a dv camcorder.After careful consideration and a few visits to my closest electronics shop I realized that this product was the easiest, most affordable Hi8 and I love using it. I would recommend this to anyone on a budget that has a desire to create quality video with ease and precision.
Value and Power for under $400
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 10! out of 10
Created: Apr 6, 2008
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A few weeks ago I was shopping around for a a new camcorder to replace my sony video recorder from 1985. Since it had been so long since I had done any shopping I carefully weighed my options. Hi8 creates an almost 40% clearer and sharper image than regular 8mm. I don't have the equipment to connect my pc to a dv camcorder.After careful consideration and a few visits to my closest electronics shop I realized that this product was the easiest, most affordable Hi8 and I love using it. I would recommend this to anyone on a budget that has a desire to create quality video with ease and precision.
Value and Power for under $400
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 10! out of 10
Created: Sep 7, 2000
Thanks for your feedback
A few weeks ago I was shopping around for a a new camcorder to replace my sony video recorder from 1985. Since it had been so long since I had done any shopping I carefully weighed my options. Hi8 creates an almost 40% clearer and sharper image than regular 8mm. I don't have the equipment to connect my pc to a dv camcorder.After careful consideration and a few visits to my closest electronics shop I realized that this product was the easiest, most affordable Hi8 and I love using it. I would recommend this to anyone on a budget that has a desire to create quality video with ease and precision.
It's Great!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 6.4 out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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This is my first camcorder. At this price I had no choice but to finally break down and buy one. The camcorder is small and lightweight. Instructions are simple. After charging the battery I was shooting right away. The picture quality is outstanding, the auto focus works great. The zoom is great too, providing you don't zoom in too fast...it takes a second or two to catch up to you. I love how easily it connects to my TV set for easy viewing on a big screen. I'm getting ready to go on vacation and looking forward to taking some great footage without lugging around something big and heavy.
It's Great!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 6.4 out of 10
Created: Aug 21, 2001
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This is my first camcorder. At this price I had no choice but to finally break down and buy one. The camcorder is small and lightweight. Instructions are simple. After charging the battery I was shooting right away. The picture quality is outstanding, the auto focus works great. The zoom is great too, providing you don't zoom in too fast...it takes a second or two to catch up to you. I love how easily it connects to my TV set for easy viewing on a big screen. I'm getting ready to go on vacation and looking forward to taking some great footage without lugging around something big and heavy.
Great picture quality, great price!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 5.6 out of 10
Created: Apr 3, 2001
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I just got my new Sharp VL-AH50U camcorder. I'm excited by the picture quality and the great 400x digital zoom. The camcorder is absolutely worth the money. I would recommend this product if...Well ... if you don't care about stereo recording/playback, and if you don't mind that the camcorder has no external input recording, then go ahead!This camcorder includes amazing features like : great digital effects, picture-in-picture mode, easy navigation with on-screen menu and (as I said before), an astonishing 400x digital zoom (16x optical) to spy at your neighbors.Combine this camcorder with a USB video input (like the affordable Dazzle Photo/Video Maker) and you can make digital pictures and videos out of your recordings.If you are not considering buying a digital camcorder, then this one is for you!
Great features for the price, but poor durability
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.6 out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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I actually got this camcorder 2 1/2 years ago as my first camcorder in anticipation of the coming birth of our first child. It offered a lot of great features for the price, and I thought the 3" viewscreen right on the camcorder was a big improvement over viewfinders and pop-out screens. pAnd lo and behold, when we got it, it worked exactly as we thought and we got some great memories.pBut then the lens cap broke. And it started to jam tapes regularly. And put dots and speckles into some recordings. And after 3 months of use my battery wouldn't recharge anymore. I brought it in for a repair and a replacement lens cap/battery, but 9 months later all 3 problems happened again.pThe first repair was under warranty, I paid for the 2nd one. But last month was really it. My sister, who lives 400 miles away from me, had twins around the same time our son was born and we went up to visit them for their 2nd birthday. My wife took (or I should say tried to take) an hour of video of me playing with all 3 boys and another 2 hours of video of all of us going to the zoo together. Well, you know what, nothing came out, because THE TAPE WAS JAMMED AGAIN! Only this time, the camcorder did not give me any message warning me of this during her attempted recording, so we thought all was fine.pSo today, 2 weeks before our 2nd child is due, I threw in the towel and bought a Samsung DV camcorder. Cest la vie....I have 2 Sharp TV's that work great (one is almost 20 years old!) so I don't know if I simply got a "lemon" or if their camcorder standards are just lax compared to their other electronics.
VL-Ah150U
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.6 out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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Brand new camcorder has 3 large dots on the screen. Sharp authorized service centers in New York are taking forever to fix it. I am fed up.
Very Good Buy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.6 out of 10
Created: Dec 9, 2001
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I am very pleased with my Sharp VLAH50U camcorder. It had many more features than advertised and the price was the best I could find anywhere with the free shipping. It shipped the next day and arrived in good condition. This is my first camcorder and I am looking forward to using it this Christmas.
Great Buy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.6 out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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This camera is a great buy, I love it!!! It's easy to use and the picture quality is awesome.
Great color videocamera!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Dec 26, 2008
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I loved the large color 3" LCD screen it rotates 360 degrees for shooting at any angle. Overall it is a simple and elegant camera with impressive durability and quality of workmanship. Controls are well thought out and easy to understand. Image quality is great in all but the very lowest of light. A 10+
Great camera
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Dec 29, 2001
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This is a great camera especially for a teen. It is easy to use, compact and great fun for the price.
exposed screen
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.1 out of 10
Created: Dec 15, 2000
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Because of the styling of this camcorder, the view screen has no cover and is subject to being damaged. You can't with confidence use the shoulder strap to carry it because if you have the view screen side facing inward it will hit against your side and damage it. If you turn it so that the screen is facing away from you, you have to make sure that no one near you gets close enough to bump into it, thus damaging the screen.When putting it in the carrying case I feel the need to wrap it in a cloth so that it will not rub agains the inside of the case and be damaged.The color and sound are acceptable but the design problem overshadows those merits.
