Sharp VL-H890U Hi8 Viewcam Camcorder

This camcorder's incredibly easy-to-use touch screen, combined with high-quality Hi8 recording, a powerful 220x zoom, and a wide selection of both fun and useful features, make it a real standout. If you want all the options of a high-end camcorder, but can't stand fiddling with a ton of buttons, the Sharp VL-H890U is a good choice.

The Sharp VL-H890U uses Sharp's unique Viewcam design, which makes it easy to hold and shoot with. The body and LCD screen rotate separately from the lens, making it easy to shoot above your head or include yourself in the picture. Power, record on/off, and telephoto switches are large and easy to reach.

The Sharp VL-H890U's knockout feature is its touch-screen capability. Its large 3.5-inch LCD screen lets you click through the feature and VCR menus with the touch of a finger. This is the first camcorder we reviewed where we didn't have to delve into the manual to figure out how to set the various options--the touch-screen interface was so easy we figured everything out on our own.

The Sharp VL-H890U also includes a great selection of advanced--and fun--features, including a powerful 220x digital zoom and digital image stabilization. It offers a useful range of preset and manual exposure settings, fade capability, and fun picture effects (including the unique Stretch and Slim effects). The Viewcam also has snapshot and still image capabilities.

The Sharp VL-H890U uses the Hi8 format, which makes for extraordinarily sharp and colorful video--digital is the only format that will give you better quality. The only drawback to Hi8 is that you can't play the tapes in your VCR; you have to connect the camcorder to your TV for playback.

Pros:

Easy-to-use touch screen
Powerful 220x digital zoom
3.5-inch swivel LCD screen
Wide range of exposure and picture effects

Cons:

Doesn't come with a light

Hi8, hi-fi stereo viewcam with 3.5-inch color LCD and touch-screen control

1 not the best product
for this price, i would recommend buying a Sony Hi8.

2 All You'll ever need
Ah, the Sharp Hi-8. You'll feel like Hitchcock, with the weight of Truffuat. It's the everyman's dream for spontaneous and painless camcording. Light and convienient, durable and stellar for evening recording. It's all you'll ever need.

3 Response to the Con's of not having a light.
We were in Gatlingburg, TN and used the camcorder at night. The quality of the picture when we reviewed the tape was extrodinary. This camcorder recorded at night just as well as if it were daytime. This is probably why it doesn't come with a light from the factory.

4 Great to use
This camcorder is the easiest I've ever used. It's features are just right for a user whose main goals are quality picture and ease-of-use.