I really liked this camera because of the size and ability to take the pictures and videos in one. Now however I am very disappointed because after one year of use the camera broke down. The still button that takes snapshots stopped working. I can only take videos now and who knows how long that will last! I am sending this for service, hoping it won't cost me too much to fix it. Very upseting that it happened the moment one year warranty expired!

I have been using this camcorder for over a year now. The video is excellent as is the sound.
It transfers video to the PC through the firewire with no problem. I have used Sony and JVC Mini DV tapes with it. (iread about the TDK causing trouble. I don't have experience with that)
I have only 3 complaints.
In the sun it's hard to see the LCD screen and there isn't not an optional viewfinder.
Some of the still photos are grainy, some are great depends on the lighting.

I have had this camera for just under a year. I bought the warranty. One day it just stopped working. Wouldn't turn on. I brought it to a repair center. It was sent back to SHARP and given all new internal parts. I don't plan to keep it, but the warranty saved me from having a very expensive paper weight.

Honestly, if you are buying this item get the extended warranty if available...you could very well need it. I had it for barely a year and it worked great no complaints at all till it just quit working all together. Now it makes a great paperweight. The unit will not power up at all. Bear in mind that my unit has never been mishandled or mistreated. I have also done research on the web and have found similar reviews elsewhere. I am still trying to get Sharp to help me replace or repair it. I'd love to be able to write a retraction in the coming days that Sharp has stepped up and done the right thing. Till then...Stay tuned and best of luck.

This is an awesome product! I don't know why more people don't get them. The reliability, ease of use, combination of features and display area make this a top notch product. I use many DV cameras for my work so I know what I'm talking about here. The price makes this even better! One drawback - no jack for external mike. But the sound its condenser mike picks up is pretty good. I hope Sharp continues to make them!

Light and small to carry, easy to use with great features like 3 gramma setting(for brightness),optical and digital zoom, extra large and sharp screen (Sharp is very good at this all the time).
Strongly suggest extra battery or a bigger capacity battery(which I got and last about 6 hrs). Video resolution is fine but pictures are blurry, and no flash so kinda dark, no firewire cable included but that's how u save money. Great first camcorder.

I really liked this camera because of the size and ability to take the pictures and videos in one. Now however I am very disappointed because after one year of use the camera broke down. The still button that takes snapshots stopped working. I can only take videos now and who knows how long that will last! I am sending this for service, hoping it won't cost me too much to fix it. Very upseting that it happened the moment one year warranty expired!

Part II - March 2007

I have had the worse experience with this camera! Do not buy it, it does not last! First it broke down as soon as the warranty expried and I sent it for service because I really liked this camera. I paid $300 to fix it and one year later it broke down again!!! I am so frustrated I am throwing this junk to the garbage. I wish I did it the first time around, I would have a new camera by now - never Sharp!