Now it has started giving me E007 error. Google does not give any answers to this error code.

In the past it had also given me intermittant dew error.

I had it with Sharp Electronics. My first TV broke. Sharp VCR, broke. Now Sharp Camdorder, broke.

Amazon also stiffed me with the $100 promised rebate on this camcorder.

All in all, a very expensive $350 mistake :-(

I am not going to buy any more tape based camcorders.

- Vikas

After owning the viewcam for about a year, I started to get a dew error that renders the camera useless...and there's nothing you can do. Sharp says to leave the camera door open for 2 hours and then try again. You can leave it open for 100 hours in the desert sun and you'll still get a dew error. EVERYONE that I speak to that has purchased this camera has the same problem. DON'T BUY IT.

i purchased this item 1 year ago. Basically as soon as the 1 year warranty was up my camera began turning on, but shutting right back off. My camera like the others on this page also, came on with a "DEW" warning. I have made several attempts to have Sharp try and fix this problem to which they have basically told me they won't/can't do anything to help me. Trust me when I say I will NEVER buy another Sharp camcorder/camera after the way i was treated on this one. PS. I had only used the camera approx. 5 times...this was clearly a poor choice on my behalf that I will be sure not to make again!

DO NOT BUY ANY SHARP PRODUCTS.

I unfortunately own a Sharp VL-Z3U camcorder which has been rendered useless by an ongoing DEW error (I store the camcorder in my family room and live in Michigan - not humid enough to justify this problem).

After speaking with Sharp's customer relations, they informed me they no longer make camcorders and can do NOTHING for me. They obviously stopped making camcorders because they were not good at it. The cust rep was also VERY RUDE to me and sealed my decision to NEVER BUY ANOTHER SHARP PRODUCT AGAIN.

My Sony camcorder still works after several years - I just bought the Sharp to upgrade to digital tapes (it died in only 16 months).

If you buy a Sharp camcorder warranty is for 1 year parts but 90 days for labor. Most likely 90 days nothing will break.This camcorder has a hidden problem that surfaces after the 90 days of course. 10 months after its Christmas 2003 purchase a Dew error has occurred. The screen says dew
and shuts down in 10 seconds. It will not take a tape either, justs ejects them right away. The problem is a sensor in the camera that goes bad.It has nothing to do with dew or moisture as this occurs on sunny dry days in warm weather with no temperature changes. My unit is stuck in this mode and many others if you search http://www.digital-world.info. No support from Sharp.

Just a warning.

I have had all the different brands of all kinds of electronics. After a review, a test and having alot of family and friends view my films nobody had any thing to say but "That Was Great". Easy to use, excellent battery location, No problems or regrets, I guess for all the cameras that were sold if only a few have negative comments thats pretty good. And I live in a rainy climate, and no "DEW" message, or any other have ever popped up. For the price, size, functions and final results. TV hook up or to computer. I give it a Thumbs Up with out hesitation.

If not for the DEW function I would give the camera five stars. Unfortunately when the DEW signal comes on there is no camera and there is no override for this sensor. We wouldn't anticipate a problem with moisture living in Arizona but it's been nothing but problems after the first year. Our first dew warning came when we tried to record our sons first preschool Christmas play - we have no video of that or several other events like birthday parties, visits from family, stunts on the trampoline... I'm counting my blessing that we're just out the cost of new camera because I have been sure my husband would land in the ER with an anger induced stroke on those occasions! The only time the DEW function seemed to go away was during the hot humid summer we spent in the Southeast. Go figure.

this camcorder is pure garbage, i purchased brand new from circuit city , only used it 4 or 5 times also , i now get the dew message, i tried everything from putting it into bags , airing it outside in dry weather, using blow dryer, using little sacks of silicia then placing the camcorder in a bag to dry it out, nothing works !!!!!
called sharp customer service got the run around. finally i have given up, this piece of electronics should never have been sold, some one needs to file a class action lawsuit given the 80+ posts i have read all detailing the same thing " identical " problems" !!!!!!

We got this camera a few months ago and never used until we finally had some special occassions to record. We were able to record two and on my daughter's 8th birthday party it came up with the DEW error and we tried very hard to get it back to normal. We left the cassette door open for days and no change. Do not buy this camera, it will take away from your special occassion when you least expect it. This electronic device is not worthy. I gave it one star because there isn't a lower rating.

I've had this camera for a couple of years now-- it's zoom function leaves something to be desired, and I'd recommend NOT zooming during a shot. In fact, for adequate depth of field you're better off not zooming at all.

Otherwise, it is easy to use, and I haven't had the dew indicator problems that others have had.

So, all in all, I'd say if you can get it for a modest enough price and just want a basic camcorder, it's not a bad deal.