I rated the camera 5 stars, only because it's such a dandy little instrument when it's working properly. The camera has a DEW Indicator which shuts the camera down completely if there is excess moisture present in the mechanism. Only one problem, there is a defect in many cameras in the VLZ line where the DEW Indicator shuts it down when there isn't excess moisture, and the recommendation that you open it up and let it dry for a few hours just doesn't reactivate the camera.

For months I was completely frustrated with the eratic operation - I then went on google and typed VL-Z3U and the word DEW, and got to a web site where I found that I wasn't the only one with the problem, and that many many others experienced the same situation with the VL -1, 3 & 5 models. Finally one person in the forum found the answer - the solder joints to the DEW Sensor were "cold joints" which means that the solder joint is defective - is not a sound joint. This means that with temperature variation, the solder joint can separate and break the circuit.

There were two fixes offered: 1. Take a fine soldering iron and remelt the solder joint (it is easily reachable when the tape cover is open. 2. Remove the small memory battery, which evidently controls the dew indicator along with keeping the time and date.

I first tried removing the little battery, and voila! the dew indicator went off and I was able to use the camera. I then got up the courage to tackle the solder joints - just a brief touch with a small soldering iron remelted the bad joints - I was delighted that it was so simple - you don't have to be electronics engineer to do this. I replaced the memory battery and have had nothing but joy from the camera ever since. I probably voided the warantee, but who cares - at least the camera works now.

Read all the other positive reviews - they are accurate. I found the camera to be fine even in low light - it has a low light adjustment which easily brightens things in dark conditions. I've used it inside dark churches, recorded community events, made still shots - its a wonderful little machine for the money.

Now if Sharp had only paid attention to the people doing the soldering - but that's no longer a problem.

Be happy to elaborate if anyone else has a problem with the DEW indicator shutting down the camera.
Alan ataplow@bigfoot.com

I bought this camera for my husband for Xmas at an excellent price, and have to say I am very happy with it. Although the picture is grainy in low light, it is clear enough to capture the moment. We are not professionals, and this camcorder is great for filming home movies.

First time leaving a review, but thought it might help buyers...

I was interested in buying a MiniDV and saw a great deal listed on Amazon (...) for the VLZ3U. Unfortunately, only used it a couple of hours before the tape-loading mechanism started acting up and basically prevented the tape from loading even once it finally closed. After returning to Amazon, I bought another (...). The first time I tried to use it (pre-wedding family function), a brand new tape got stuck in it, and it wouldn't let me eject or use it. Needless to say, returned that one as well. Bad luck once, perhaps. Twice, probably not.

Generally, the camera was otherwise good. Low-light wasn't, but it's possible I still needed to master the settings. When I did set them for best results (i.e., backlight,...), some of the settings would reset when I turned it off/on again. A royal pain. The swivel design was an excellent feature that you'll appreciate in actual use -- e.g., shooting over a huddled crowd to see into the middle, or shooting something low to the ground. Very easy on the hand/arm.

Giving it 3 stars because of the problems, otherwise would be 4.

Just bought this and used it for a trip to Asia; fit perfectly inside a fanny pack. I chose this for its small size, the light weight, low price and the LCD screen. I didn't want anything fancy, but rather something easy to use since I'm not a techie. Video picture quality is very good, photo quality is OK but remember that this is a digital video camcorder and not a digital camera. However, I liked that it could take both video and stills - it made it easy to carry on vacation. LCD screen is terrific - very clear and bright. Controls are easy to use. The battery is inside the camera so it doesn't add extra bulk to the camera. Also, if it's hooked up to a tripod you don't have to take it off the tripod to change the battery or the tape. Bought the camcorder right here at Amazon - best price + $50 rebate, best service - got it delivered for free within 5 days and didn't have to pay any sales tax. Pros - small size, price, LCD screen, easy to use. Best feature for me is its small size and light weight; simply put, if it's easy to carry then I'm more likely to take videos. Cons - image stabilization, especially when zooming in, is almost non-existent. Also, it makes strange, cheap sounding noises when ejecting and re-installing the tape but that's just nitpicking. Overall, if you're looking for a good basic camcorder to shoot family videos it can't be beat. Good features at a good price = good value. Highly recommended!

This is the perfect little camcorder. It's light, easy to operate and reasonably priced. I was also pleased with the results from recording indoors. My only complaint is the picture gets really shaky while using the zoom function while recording.

Well, I have been very unhappy with this camera. We bought ours a little over a year ago, and had to return the first one because the memory card would not work. Amazon was very happy to replace it, and we had great customer service there. Now, our second one is not working. It has been having "dew" problems do to some moisture or something, so we were taking the tape out and letting it dry out. Now it has completely stopped accepting tapes, no matter how long we "let it dry out". I called Sharp and was not happy with their answer--send it off to TX for repairs....on your own dime.

When I spend $300-$400 on something, I expect it to last longer than a year! We are very unhappy and will not buy another Sharp product again.

I have had this camera for more than 18 months now, i bought it coz of the positive reviews it had on the web and the prize was really a bargain.

I've never have had any problems with this camera and its been very reliable so far. Video quality is very good outdoors and a bit grainy in less light. Best thing i like abt this camera is the unique swivel feature, i dont have to sit down or bend down to shot from low angles and it is more important when u r as tall as i am, just swevel the camera the way u want, lower your arm and u r ready to shoot--nice innovative design by sharp and its small too.
dont expect this camera to take great still shots but again they r not that bad either.

Overall, get this camera if u want a low price video camera with basic features and good video quality(outdoors).

I was very happy with this camera ... for the first 12 months. After the warranty time had ended - "DEW" happened. It has been having "dew" problems do to some moisture, so I were taking the tape out and letting it dry out. Now it has completely stopped accepting tapes, no matter how long I "let it dry out".
I am very unhappy and will not buy another Sharp product again.

I just returned from a trip to Nepal and India and found the VLZ3U to be just the ticket. It takes great video of a quality that enabled me to extract pictures of Everest and a tiger in the wild equal to most digital still cameras. The still pictures taken with the camera to the card were great for snapshots but are of too low a quality to alow much of a blow up. I did, however, take over 1500 picture that are just fine if I don't try to make them much bigger than 5x6. The "DEW" problem has cropped up 3 times in two months with no cause that I could determine as the humidity was not high at any point. I did find that I could remove the "DEW" hangup by removing the battery and immediately replacing. When I did this the "DEW" disappeared and I was able to take both still and video.

I have had this camera for almost two years now...just after the one-year mark (when warranty expired!) it started having problems. Before then it was great. Small, nice LCD, strong zoom, easy to use, nice video. I never tried it for digital snapshots, though.

Problems started at the worst possible time...trip to Brazil half for vacation and half to document my wife philanthropic work that she is doing (and starting a nonprofit org). For no apparent reason, as we were in a drought, the "DEW" warning kept going off and not allowing any use of camera. After days of frustration, we just gave up on it.

Back in the states, weeks later the DEW problem seemed to have gone away but then the camera started eating the video-tape!!

So, I bought a new tape....and, guess, what? The "DEW" indicator goes off again -- at my kids TaeKwonDo testing for Black Belt!

Ironic how you save a couple bucks shopping around for a value product and then realize you have lost priceless memories due to poor engineering/manufacturing....I am now using our 10-year old Sony videotape camcorder...big but RELIABLE.

I'm going to try soldering the DEW problem per other review...pathetic that consumers are soldering Japanese camcorders!

update: GUESS WHAT? I called Sharp USA and complained to Tech Support and they transferred me to Customer Service who knew immediately about this issue and they told me to send it in to the repair facility and they would issue a special approval for a free repair even though i have owned it beyond the 1-year warrany period...they said they'd pay for labor & materials,..i only have to pay for shipping. I am satisfied.

I am appalled that others have experienced the horrible DEW problem with this camera. When the temperature and humidity changes, the digicam provides a warning and shuts down. This is outlined in the user manual, but I was very disappointed that the camera would shut down for days on end. We missed great moments of our toddler and family events because of this camera, which was a fairly expensive purchase.

Upon calling 1800-BE SHARP, their customer service line, I was informed that Sharp no longer produces these digicams anyways!! Since the warranty had expired, the only service centre they could recommend is in Los Angeles whereas we live in Northern California. Our solution is to buy another, much better, non-Sharp product.

Avoid this product if you want a satisfactory/happy filming experience

After a year and a half the dew indicator has stopped the camera from working completely. When this first started happening I had to let the camera sit open for 2 hours, I missed some pretty important events for that reason. Now--even though it has been indoors in low humidity for a month the dew light is on and the camera won't work at all. I am very dissapointed as I shouldn't have to buy another camera in such a short time. I won't buy a sharp product again.

this cmcorder is pretty long in the tooth & I doubt many are still buying it, but in case you are thinking about becoming a new owner -- add my experience to the last few who posted reviews prior to mine. This machine was great on paper, and worked pretty well the first year or so (during which I wan't using it that often -- maybe once or twice a month). But after a year it got to the point where it wouldn't load a new cassette right away, then only aftre trying repeatedly, and then, finally ... it wouldn't load a tae cassette at all.

Great product on paper that I thougth I got for a good price here at amazn, but ended up costing me a lot wehn you figure how litel use I got out of it.