NOW HOTTER: Sharp VL-NZ155U Mini DV Camcorder for $269AR

DanielNTX · Mar 29, 2003

This is basically the same as the Sharp VL-NZ105U deal available through Amazon and 6ave as in the other posts, but for $25 more you get the normal battery and the extended battery (which retails for $69) and a larger memory card.

Here's the deal:
VL-NZ155U from B&H Photo
Also $398 shipped via ground from BuyDig.com, if you do FedEx Saver shipping (which is the default at B&H) the cost is roughly the same.

The price just changed to $269.95 ($369.95 before rebate), making this deal even hotter. (I spoke with B&H and they credited me $30 for the price change)

List price is $879.99 for this model. (At B&M BestBuy you will still find the VL-NZ100 for $699)

For $10 you can also get a 27mm Sunpak UV filter.

The rebate is here and has been extended to June 30, 2003:
Rebate Front
Rebate Back
Old Rebate

Detailed specs from Sharp

Comparison at Sharp between the VL-NZ155U, VL-NZ105U, VLNZ100U

Amazon Reviews for the VL-NZ105U. The average review score is 4.5 stars out of 5 for 10 reviews.

RadioactiveMagpies · Mar 29, 2003

Anyone have firsthand experience with this camera? Some of the amazon reviewers really didn't like it.

edit: silly me, reading the review of the VLNZ100U MiniDV instead of this one. The VL-NZ155U is alot better.

DanielNTX · Mar 29, 2003

I'm looking at the Amazon reviews right here. The average review score is 4.5 stars out of 5 for 10 reviews.

dlaw · Mar 30, 2003

Any experience with this site? Looks like a deal to me.

badluck · Mar 30, 2003

IF you haven't heard of B&H Photo you probably don't do much with video.....they are completely legit.....

DanielNTX · Mar 30, 2003

B&H Photo is totally legit. They've been around for a long time and one of the most reliable out of all those sell from NYC. I've done business with them before and they were great. I purchased a Minolta 5600HS-D flash and it was delivered as promised, without trying to upsale things or add accessories.

DanielNTX · Apr 15, 2003

B&H just credited me $30 because of the price change. I think they are a very reputable company to deal with.

Hi8 · Apr 15, 2003

I have bought over $1000 worth of stuff from them. They are totally legit.

orion7144 · Apr 15, 2003

If you go to this place, it has it for $349 but it says BuyDig as the page name but Worldwide direct when you click to order.

DanielNTX · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by: orion7144
If you go to this place, it has it for $349 but it says BuyDig as the page name but Worldwide direct when you click to order.

This is quoted from my thread at FW:

Originally posted by: dealUp
To those who wonder where to buy: BHphotovideo or Buydig.
I've got stuff from both, BH is a standard in the photographic world mail-order industry, and it's the nicest one out there. The customer service is responsive and shold there be any problems with your order they will be worked out in the customer's interest manner. I'm a picky customer and BH worked out all the 2-3 small (negliable) problems in a way that I did return and I'll return again. Prices are reasonable, and often it's worth it to pay the extra a few $$ compared to the cheapest vendor for the peace of mind. It has 14 days return policy (I have bought SLR stuff, maybe only a week for video??) that they strictly honor, no games.
Refunds are processed in a very timely manner (within a 2-5days I had my money in my account already a few times!)
Buydig has bottom rock prices on much of the cameras/camcorders, but slightly overpriced shipping and accessories. (this should already ring a little bell). Most of the orders come out well, though: They have about 4.5 stars out of 5
on dealtime, resellerraitings, etc. But if they should be any problem with your order, you may have a problem: the customer service is close to non-existent (there was that same guy I hit calling on different days/times after some waiting time; only one CSR?) he was a bit far from even willing to talk to you. Buydig had repeatedly been criticised for it, they may have improved, you bet. Read what others say about returns (may be cumbersome especially on getting your money part!), I have no personal experience. That said, my order came out well with them and I'd take the chance again, but not for less than at least $40-50 difference from BH.
One last thing: BH will ship very quick--within a day, or it's been less recently) and ships FedEx Saver (2 days East-West cost). Buydig will take their time prior shipping (they say 72 hosrs after ordering do not bother us with questions about your order if you don't want delays, and they really shipped my thing after 3 days of placing the order). Buydig also will ship ground (7 days East-West cost) + the 3 days to ship it..
One more note: check their holiday schedules before placing the order! I think they both had a few day holiday observance some time in April, or was it March..
Bottom line: for ~$10 difference (calculate S/H charges), go any time with BH!

Subh2o · Apr 15, 2003

I've been dealing w/ B&H for 8 years now and have bought well over $20,000 from them, shipped all over the world and never a problem with them... customs in some spots was a differnt story however!

dansajd · Apr 15, 2003

I had my whole order ready to go with B&H and...

Due to our holiday closing all orders submitted after 6:00 pm Eastern Time, Tuesday April 15, through Thursday April 24 will be shipped when we reopen.

That really sucks. I was hoping to order this and have it at least in time for my kid's first soccer game of the season. Oh well, I guess I'll take my chances with BuyDig.

Great deal, by the way. Thanks!

Edit: Nix the BuyDig idea. They're closed too. Freaking Passover...

SimMike2 · Apr 22, 2003

Buy.com has this for $358. Shipping is kind of steep at $19, so this puts total at $377. If you go through Ebates, you will get about $7 rebate from them, so this puts at $370. Minus $100 rebate and your price is $270. Maybe Buy.com has a coupon out there.

ChrisCramer247 · Apr 22, 2003

Well from first hand expeirence with Sharp Camcorders (Work with them at Sears Electronics)

They are very low end, awkward, hard to handle and bulky. Their picture quality is OK at best, the LCD is EASILY damaged on the viewfinder and I've had customers return a lot of the sharps because their pivoting head eithe A)breaks and won't move, or B) starts to fall off. Also with the Sharps they are very cheapily made IMHO, pure plastic and it feels very delicate.

I honestly wouldn't recomend a Sharp until you personally go and Play with one. If you have small hands this is definately not for you. Just try it then buy it if you still want it.

EDIT: also forgot to mention that the the features on the Sharp don't work very well (focus, etc..).

DanielNTX · Apr 22, 2003

I can tell you that I've had no probs with my Sharp. The Panasonic I had before it was pure crap. The LCD was passive matrix and sucked. I like the cam.

AnyMal · Apr 23, 2003

I can attest that unorthodox styling of this camera is very easy to get used to. I have a regular 8mm Sharp of the same form factor and had it for 6 years now, no problems. In fact, I think you'll find it more natural and comfortable to hold a camera with external viewfinder that way. But then again, it's just me.

AnyMal · Apr 23, 2003

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I can attest that unorthodox styling of this camera is very easy to get used to. I have a regular 8mm Sharp of the same form factor and had it for 6 years now, no problems. In fact, I think you'll find it more natural and comfortable to hold a camera with external viewfinder that way. But then again, it's just me.

I've been contemplating replacing my old analog Sharp with a digital one, at this price AR I may just go ahead and do it. Anyone have any experience with Sharp rebates?

Sorry about double post, I thought I was editing. Again, I am sorry.

DanielNTX · Apr 23, 2003

From what I heard from an original thread on the VL-NZ100/105 the rebates came within 6 weeks.

Toddlizzle · Apr 28, 2003

Thanks, just got in on this deal myself. I've already got a Sony VX-2000 which is a $3000 DV cam, and I'm afraid to take it out of the house! I'm curious how this compares to it. Thanks for posting this deal!

Toddlizzle · May 4, 2003

Well I did my first real taping & playback with the camcorder this evening. I'm curious what the rest of you buyers think about the unit. I own a Sony VX-2000 which is $3000 retail, so I was expecting to be disappointed with this camera, but I'm not. It's pretty good actually, especially in decent light. My main complaint at the moment is a little motor noise seems to get picked up by the built-in mics. But for $269 what do you expect? I can take this to the pool and not cry if it falls into the deep end.

Anyone else?

DanielNTX · May 6, 2003

I've filmed a few things with mine and I enjoy it. I haven't really noticed the motor noise until you said something. But I can still overlook it. It's not that bad. I like because it's small and easy to carry around. I wish I had a $3000 MiniDV Camera.

Esquire · May 18, 2003

does it come with a dv tape?

Toddlizzle · May 19, 2003

LOL

No it doesn't. Tapes are $3 man, is that the critical factor in your decision?

BTW this deal is on death's door. Very few online vendors are still stocking this camera. Closest deal is the VL-NZ105U posted here in another thread.

NOW HOTTER: Sharp VL-NZ155U Mini DV Camcorder for $269AR

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