Camcorder [Sharp Zoom 12 Slim Cam]
Maker and role
Sharp Corporation, Manufacturer
Production date
1992
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2020.25.1
Maker
Production period
Description
Sharp Zoom 12 Slim Camcorder and accessories.
Part 1: Point Professional carry bag. The bag is made of black textile, with a soft inner lining. It is rectangular shaped, with a main lid and two smaller lids which connect with velcro beneath this. At the front of the bag has two open pockets. On either side of the bag are two pockets closed with velcro. On either side is a plastic buckle which the shoulder strap is attached to. At the rear of the bag is a zip pocket which runs the length of the bag. The lid is held closed with two small plastic buckles. Sewn onto the lid is a black label with red and white thread which reads, "POINT / PROFESSIONAL". Inside the bag are four felt and velcro separators which can be removed and create individual compartments.
Part 2: Sharp Zoom 12 Slim Cam Camcorder. Thin, black and grey rectangular-shaped camcorder. At the top of the device is a rubber handle. Along the top of the edge of the camcorder is a row of buttons which operate the device. These have the headings, "CAMERA REC OFF [...]". At the top end is a black and grey strap which connects to the bottom of the device. At the rear is the embossed text, "DO NOT POINT / THE [...]" with instructions on how to attach the battery pack.
On the right hand side of the camcorder is a small window which reveals the mechanics within. Printed in gold is the text, "VHS / PAL / COMPACT FLAT LOADING MECHANISM / DIGITAL WHITE BALANCE". Embossed in the top corner is the text, "PRESS FIRMLY". At the bottom of the loading mechanism is the text, "SHARP FLYING ERASE HEAD". Beneath this are various ports for plugs to be attached.
On the left hand side of the camcorder is printed gold text, "SHARP / SLIM CAM / ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM". A black, gold and red sticker reads, "NEW / ZOOM12 / DIRECT CASSETTE COMPATIBILITY / VHS CAMCORDER VHS VCR / AUTO LIGHT/2LUX SHOOTING / COLOUR / VIEWFINDER". Embossed in the bottom corner is the text, "BATTERY / EJECT" which operates the battery pack.
At the front of the camcorder is the camera which is covered with a lens cap which is attached to a handle on the side of the camcorder. Embossed on the lens is the text, "ZOOM LENS 043 / JAPAN". Printed in gold around the camera lens is "AF / [...] / 12X / FULL RANGE / AUTO FOCUS". On the left hand side of the lens are a series of buttons which operate the device. These have the headings, "POWER FOCUS/ [...]". Above the lens is a viewfinder which can swivel, "SHARP" is printed in gold and "BRIGHT" is embossed. Above this is a microphone which was is surrounded with black foam, "COLOUR / VIEWFINDER" is printed in gold. A light sits above this with the white text, "CAUTION [...]". On the left hand side of the lens is a black strap with "SHARP" printed in gold and silver clasps. Next to this is a red button with the text, "REC / START/ / STOP".
On the bottom of the camcorder is a platform which can be attached to a tripod. Printed in silver is the text, "SHARP / CAMCORDER / MODEL NO. VL-SX80 / 6.0V / SERIAL NUMBER 31399 / MADE IN JAPAN / SHARP COPORATION [...]".
Part 3: Rectangular, black battery charger. Connected to the top end of the charger is a power cord with a two-pronged plug at the end. Embossed on the plug is, "250V 7.5A / DAP-100 / N/1005 / DAIWA 2-3". Along the top of the charger is an insert for the battery to be placed. Embossed is the text, "BATTERY / PRESS AND SLIDE / SEE MANUAL / [...]". At the bottom of the charger is the text, "OPERATE / CHARGE / SHARP / AC ADAPTOR/BATTERY CHARGER". On the rear of the charger is the text, "SHARP / AC ADAPTER/ / BATTERY CHARGER / [...] / SERIAL NO. 314086 / SHARP CORPORATION MADE IN JAPAN [...]".
Part 4: Double stranded black and silver cable. Each end has a single-point prong.
Part 5: Black cable with a yellow single-point prong at each end. "JAPAN" is embossed on each pong.
Part 6: Black cable with a white single-point prong at each end. "JAPAN" is embossed on each pong.
Part 7: At the rear of the camcorder is a battery pack with the embossed text, "BATTERY PACK". On the rear of the battery pack is the text, "SHARP / BATTERY PACK / BT-30N / [...] / MADE IN JAPAN".
Part 1: Point Professional carry bag. The bag is made of black textile, with a soft inner lining. It is rectangular shaped, with a main lid and two smaller lids which connect with velcro beneath this. At the front of the bag has two open pockets. On either side of the bag are two pockets closed with velcro. On either side is a plastic buckle which the shoulder strap is attached to. At the rear of the bag is a zip pocket which runs the length of the bag. The lid is held closed with two small plastic buckles. Sewn onto the lid is a black label with red and white thread which reads, "POINT / PROFESSIONAL". Inside the bag are four felt and velcro separators which can be removed and create individual compartments.
Part 2: Sharp Zoom 12 Slim Cam Camcorder. Thin, black and grey rectangular-shaped camcorder. At the top of the device is a rubber handle. Along the top of the edge of the camcorder is a row of buttons which operate the device. These have the headings, "CAMERA REC OFF [...]". At the top end is a black and grey strap which connects to the bottom of the device. At the rear is the embossed text, "DO NOT POINT / THE [...]" with instructions on how to attach the battery pack.
On the right hand side of the camcorder is a small window which reveals the mechanics within. Printed in gold is the text, "VHS / PAL / COMPACT FLAT LOADING MECHANISM / DIGITAL WHITE BALANCE". Embossed in the top corner is the text, "PRESS FIRMLY". At the bottom of the loading mechanism is the text, "SHARP FLYING ERASE HEAD". Beneath this are various ports for plugs to be attached.
On the left hand side of the camcorder is printed gold text, "SHARP / SLIM CAM / ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM". A black, gold and red sticker reads, "NEW / ZOOM12 / DIRECT CASSETTE COMPATIBILITY / VHS CAMCORDER VHS VCR / AUTO LIGHT/2LUX SHOOTING / COLOUR / VIEWFINDER". Embossed in the bottom corner is the text, "BATTERY / EJECT" which operates the battery pack.
At the front of the camcorder is the camera which is covered with a lens cap which is attached to a handle on the side of the camcorder. Embossed on the lens is the text, "ZOOM LENS 043 / JAPAN". Printed in gold around the camera lens is "AF / [...] / 12X / FULL RANGE / AUTO FOCUS". On the left hand side of the lens are a series of buttons which operate the device. These have the headings, "POWER FOCUS/ [...]". Above the lens is a viewfinder which can swivel, "SHARP" is printed in gold and "BRIGHT" is embossed. Above this is a microphone which was is surrounded with black foam, "COLOUR / VIEWFINDER" is printed in gold. A light sits above this with the white text, "CAUTION [...]". On the left hand side of the lens is a black strap with "SHARP" printed in gold and silver clasps. Next to this is a red button with the text, "REC / START/ / STOP".
On the bottom of the camcorder is a platform which can be attached to a tripod. Printed in silver is the text, "SHARP / CAMCORDER / MODEL NO. VL-SX80 / 6.0V / SERIAL NUMBER 31399 / MADE IN JAPAN / SHARP COPORATION [...]".
Part 3: Rectangular, black battery charger. Connected to the top end of the charger is a power cord with a two-pronged plug at the end. Embossed on the plug is, "250V 7.5A / DAP-100 / N/1005 / DAIWA 2-3". Along the top of the charger is an insert for the battery to be placed. Embossed is the text, "BATTERY / PRESS AND SLIDE / SEE MANUAL / [...]". At the bottom of the charger is the text, "OPERATE / CHARGE / SHARP / AC ADAPTOR/BATTERY CHARGER". On the rear of the charger is the text, "SHARP / AC ADAPTER/ / BATTERY CHARGER / [...] / SERIAL NO. 314086 / SHARP CORPORATION MADE IN JAPAN [...]".
Part 4: Double stranded black and silver cable. Each end has a single-point prong.
Part 5: Black cable with a yellow single-point prong at each end. "JAPAN" is embossed on each pong.
Part 6: Black cable with a white single-point prong at each end. "JAPAN" is embossed on each pong.
Part 7: At the rear of the camcorder is a battery pack with the embossed text, "BATTERY PACK". On the rear of the battery pack is the text, "SHARP / BATTERY PACK / BT-30N / [...] / MADE IN JAPAN".
Brief History
The camcorder was officially announced by Sony and JVC in 1982. The name references the two devices that were combined in the development of this new product - a video camera and video recorder, which previously had been separate devices. Although this Sharp camcorder was manufactured only 10 years following the development of the technology that enabled camcorders, it was not far from being replaced by digital technology.
Camcorders utilising VHS cassettes such as this one first became available to consumers in 1985. At the time the camcorder was quite innovative as you could play the video on your televsion simply by plugging the camcorder into the TV with the accompanying AV cables. The standard VHS cassette this 1992 camcorder records onto could also be removed and put straight into a VCR for playback. While this sounds clunky in an era of Bluetooth and casting, earlier camcorders used video cassettes that needed to be converted to play in a VCR.
In 1995, Panasonic and Sony released digital video cameras, technology which has now evolved into the video function in smartphone cameras.
Camcorders utilising VHS cassettes such as this one first became available to consumers in 1985. At the time the camcorder was quite innovative as you could play the video on your televsion simply by plugging the camcorder into the TV with the accompanying AV cables. The standard VHS cassette this 1992 camcorder records onto could also be removed and put straight into a VCR for playback. While this sounds clunky in an era of Bluetooth and casting, earlier camcorders used video cassettes that needed to be converted to play in a VCR.
In 1995, Panasonic and Sony released digital video cameras, technology which has now evolved into the video function in smartphone cameras.
Marks
POINT / PROFESSIONAL Label
CAMERA REC OFF [...] Printed
BATTERY PACK Embossed
VHS / PAL / COMPACT FLAT LOADING MECHANISM / DIGITAL WHITE BALANCE Printed
PRESS FIRMLY Embossed
SHARP FLYING ERASE HEAD Embossed
SHARP / SLIM CAM / ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM Printed
NEW / ZOOM12 / DIRECT CASSETTE COMPATIBILITY / VHS CAMCORDER VHS VCR / AUTO LIGHT/2LUX SHOOTING / COLOUR / VIEWFINDER Sticker
BATTERY / EJECT Embossed
ZOOM LENS 043 / JAPAN Embossed
AF / [...] / 12X / FULL RANGE / AUTO FOCUS Printed
POWER FOCUS/ [...] Printed
SHARP Printed
BRIGHT Embossed
COLOUR / VIEWFINDER Printed
CAUTION [...] Printed
SHARP Printed
REC / START/ / STOP Embossed
SHARP / CAMCORDER / MODEL NO. VL-SX80 / 6.0V / SERIAL NUMBER 31399 / MADE IN JAPAN / SHARP COPORATION [...] Printed
250V 7.5A / DAP-100 / N/1005 / DAIWA 2-3 Embossed
BATTERY / PRESS AND SLIDE / SEE MANUAL / [...] Embossed
OPERATE / CHARGE / SHARP / AC ADAPTOR/BATTERY CHARGER Printed
SHARP / AC ADAPTER/ / BATTERY CHARGER / [...] / SERIAL NO. 314086 / SHARP CORPORATION MADE IN JAPAN [...] Printed
DO NOT POINT / THE [...] Embossed
JAPAN Embossed
SHARP / BATTERY PACK / BT-30N / [...] / MADE IN JAPAN Printed
CAMERA REC OFF [...] Printed
BATTERY PACK Embossed
VHS / PAL / COMPACT FLAT LOADING MECHANISM / DIGITAL WHITE BALANCE Printed
PRESS FIRMLY Embossed
SHARP FLYING ERASE HEAD Embossed
SHARP / SLIM CAM / ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM Printed
NEW / ZOOM12 / DIRECT CASSETTE COMPATIBILITY / VHS CAMCORDER VHS VCR / AUTO LIGHT/2LUX SHOOTING / COLOUR / VIEWFINDER Sticker
BATTERY / EJECT Embossed
ZOOM LENS 043 / JAPAN Embossed
AF / [...] / 12X / FULL RANGE / AUTO FOCUS Printed
POWER FOCUS/ [...] Printed
SHARP Printed
BRIGHT Embossed
COLOUR / VIEWFINDER Printed
CAUTION [...] Printed
SHARP Printed
REC / START/ / STOP Embossed
SHARP / CAMCORDER / MODEL NO. VL-SX80 / 6.0V / SERIAL NUMBER 31399 / MADE IN JAPAN / SHARP COPORATION [...] Printed
250V 7.5A / DAP-100 / N/1005 / DAIWA 2-3 Embossed
BATTERY / PRESS AND SLIDE / SEE MANUAL / [...] Embossed
OPERATE / CHARGE / SHARP / AC ADAPTOR/BATTERY CHARGER Printed
SHARP / AC ADAPTER/ / BATTERY CHARGER / [...] / SERIAL NO. 314086 / SHARP CORPORATION MADE IN JAPAN [...] Printed
DO NOT POINT / THE [...] Embossed
JAPAN Embossed
SHARP / BATTERY PACK / BT-30N / [...] / MADE IN JAPAN Printed
Media/Materials
Other name
Video camera
Credit Line
Sharp Corporation. 1992. Camcorder [Sharp Zoom 12 Slim Cam], 2020.25.1. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Tripod [Midas]; Jiangmen Midas Hardware Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/49541/0d4e289f5683ace78179b026c39da1d6db95aaa5.jpg)
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.