Sharp VL-Z800U
 

Has anyone looked at the new Sharp VL-Z800U yet? It was announced at the Vegas show. Does anyone have specs?

Anyone? Re: Sharp VL-Z800U.

I was looking through UK camcorder magazines the other day and one of these mags had an exciting write-up about it, but it wasn't a review. Has anyone found any links to this cam? I'm thinking of replacing my wife's aging JVC 1-chip.

tom i think you better take a look at this. since frank is the modulator i think you better take ur part and move this thread. remember this is a pana forum.............................
Just kidding. I think sometimes it might be better to post in here. it has been my experience that the guys in the other forums aren't as helpful and never answer ur question.

Justin

P.S.
pity there has been no response on this one heh frank.

Probably because this cam isn't out yet? I haven't seen it yet. Maybe in a month or so. :-))

Its 664 x 1180 widescreen mode sounds very interesting.

Specs

1.33MP (690K effective video, 1.25MP effective still) 1/4" CCD
2.5" CG Silicon LCD (215K resolution -wow -it's a Sharp)
113K VF
520+ horizontal lines of resolution
10x zoom, f1.8 lens, 48.9-489mm, 30mm filter size
HQ Widemode
Fine Picture Function
Spread LED Light
Zoom Mic
Built-In Flash
1/15-1/10000 shutter speed
Illumination and Low Light Mode (whatever that means)
Min Lux Rating: 15
EIS (supposedly works even while zooming)
Manual features: Iris, focus, shutter speed, WB, Gain
Rotating grip (this is nice- up to 240 degrees)
Top loading mechanism
Available in white, titanium and silver
575 grams with batt & tape (485 grams for cam only)
73 x 103 x 86mm

Thanks, Allan! I couldn't find the specs.

A white camcorder. Now thats interesting!

Well that and the HQ widescreen mode.

Thanks for the info Allan.

Allan, this Sharp VL-Z800U should be in Japan's stores. If you ever get a chance, perhaps take a look at one and tell us what you think. I'm thinking this may be a good inexpensive new cam for my wife. I haven't seen them here in Vancouver yet. Thanks.

Yeah it's called the VL-Z900U in Japan and has been available in stores since February. Seems to be selling well due to its cute and compact body, ease of use, and reasonable price. Its rotating grip is really cool. I'll try to play with it more soon. I tend to ignore Sharp cams but I'm a big fan of Sharp LCD TVs and cellphones :-).

Whoa! White? Must be totally unprofessional. Fred Garhart would fall over in a fit. Don't do that to your wife, Frank. Not unless you get her an iPod to go with it. (And the white earbuds to match.)

Actual shade is pearl white. CUTE and very popular among ladies.

I downgraded my wife's computer from a P90 to a 486/33. I told her it was better. She'd be tickled pink with one of those pearl white Sharps, if I told her it was a good cam. Trust me. She trusts me after all. :-))

Thanks, Allan.

I went to http://www.sharp.ca and noticed that the VL-Z800U is listed; and Sharp had only 2 models listed. Could it be that Sharp gears mainly to the Japan Market? Oh, and Sharp has a new one-liner: Sharp ... be sharp!

Here is the press release on the VL-Z800U back from January.

http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Fun...409-14,00.html

The wifey would appreciate a cam like this if the price is right. Wait, what am I talking about? All Sharp camcorders are affordable. Remember the VL-AX1U?

I guess it's not available yet though it's been out since Feb in Japan, according to Allan. Yeah, I was thinking about price. My wife's middle name is, Butter Fingers. :-))

Allan, have you had a chance to look one over and try it with a widescreen TV? Much appreciated.

Frank do you know where I can get more information on this camcorder?

I see you made it here. There's no news yet about this cam. I'm still waiting and keeping my eyes peeled.

Frank should I wait for this camcorder or should I look at something else to replace my zr20? I can wait if I have to. Do you have another suggestions? How is Samsung?

With buying a lower end cam know, you have a choice: buy last year's model now, wait a few months and buy a new model. That Sharp seems to have good specs for a lower-end cam. That's why I suggested that it might be a good buy. If I were to buy a low-end cam today, I wouldn't. I'd wait.

Vincent is trying to find the Japanese link and will be posting a pic with its basic specs here:

http://www.grandeye.com.hk/etx/900/index.html

I'll save my impressions on the video quality of this Sharp but there are 2 things so far that I didn't find so pleasing.

1. Body is nice, weight distribution is great, the rotating grip is cool, but the cam feels "cheap" on hand. I could only wish that Sharp used something to "mask" the plastic feel and look of this cam all over, the way Pany and Sony do.

2. The multi-purpose control button (for manual operations) is TOO small, TOO hard and NOT EASY to use. The jog-wheel of old Panys and new Canons or the new cross-buttons of Pany are much better to use and navigate. Of course if you shoot in full auto all the time, this won't be much of an issue at all.

In fairness, nice features of this cam are:

1. GREAT looking CG LCD.
2. HQ Widescreen - Increase in horizontal angle of view is quite significant with very little decrease in vertical angle, but I have yet to compare if it shows a wider shot than Canon FVM100 (which uses a similar 1.33MP CCD)
3. Multi-language support (for the menu) even for the Jap version.


This cam sells for almost the same price as Canon FVM100 (Elura 70 in the US), Sony HC40 and Pany GS200 in Japan. Although the Canon does not have the same quality LCD as Sharp and lacks the manual focus ring and some other manual features of the GS200, this cam, IMO, exhibits the best looking video in its class right now both in 4:3 and widescreen. Please check it out. The GS200 CANNOT compare with this cam in sharpness and detail. Sony is quite close in those aspects but as usual (subjective), color is "off" especially indoors or under fluorescent lights (because of the color saturation of the Sony, the overall picture tends to look brighter -you might like it - compared to Canon, Pany and Sharp). GS200 is without question the best in terms of color (very rich and accurate), but again, lacks sharpness and detail. Previous Sharps tend to be a little dark and noisy, but I have yet to closely examine this particular one, and based on specs, Sharp added a new feature to improve the brightness of image - lux requirement is still the same though.

Maybe Matsushita should take notes from Sharp. :)

<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear : Maybe Matsushita should take notes from Sharp. :) -->>>

The new Canons have multi-lingual menu as well.

Time for a "firmware" upgrade for your GS100, Tommy. :-))

Thanks for your review, Allan. I thought this Sharp would be a little cheaper, though, because it's a Sharp. At least in Canada Sharp and Samsung are considered the low end. Too bad about the plastic feel---at least they didn't hide anything! So the multi-purpose control button is useless, eh? Kink of like the MX3000 mode switch? That's the worst part of that cam---afraid it's going to break one of these days. :-))

MX3000 control buttons are much more accessible and easier to press.

Sharp wanted to make this cam look cool and smaller by putting the battery bay inside the LCD panel so there is no space for better placement and sizes of buttons

Oh. If it's that cute, it may just be the one for my wife...depending on its North American price.

It is a fair buy for around $600.

Great info. in Korean

http://www.sharp-korea.co.kr/04produ...tm.asp?pid=239

This is the best part IMO.

"A new Digital Gamma Correction feature ensures uniform brightness across the entire screen for less shadow and more detail."

So..., since the $600 thereabouts VL-Z800U price is pretty much is the same as the Sony TRV38 price, which is better? The Sony? I realize the Sony is a larger cam. Thanks.

Note: this is a statement about what I think of Pana's 1-chip line-up. Maybe Pana's come out or will come out with some better 1-CCD cams for Spring 2004? Oops. We're already in the middle of Spring and my wife is getting anxious for that new cam.

When are the new cameras coming out?