8mm Camcorders

8mm Camcorders

VM-E20

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed September 1987
Original Price 159,800 yen

The VM-E20 was developed as a mainstream 8mm video camcorder with a replay function. It was only marketed in Japan, targeting women and senior citizens, who are said to have trouble operating electronic devices. Its fully automatic operation dramatically reduced the number of switches and buttons required, which simplified the operation to allow users to shoot video in just three simple steps. The VM-E20 also had an optical zoom viewfinder so that users could shoot video easily while viewing the subject in color.

Video recording system 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system (NTSC)
– Luminance signal: FM azimuth recording
– Chrominance signal: Converted subcarrier phase shift recording
Audio recording system Frequency multiplexing system
Television system NTSC system
Tape format 8 videocassette
Tape speed 14.345mm/s
Maximum recording time 120 min. (with a P6-type 120-min. cassette)
Fast forward/rewind time 7 min. (with a P6-type 120-min. cassette)
Image sensor 1/2″ CCD (charge-coupled device), 210,000 pixels
Viewfinder Optical viewfinder (Zoom varifocal viewfinder)
Lens 8-14mm focal length, 7 groups 7 lenses, Minimum shooting distance: 150cm
Color temperature switching With full-auto white balance adjustment
Minimum illumination 30 lx
Illumination range 30 lx-100,000 lx
Aperture Auto iris servo system
Output terminal (level/impedance) Video/audio output terminal RCA-pin jack
Video output terminal 1Vp-p/75 ohms
Audio output terminal -10dBv (at 3 kohms load)
Power supply 6V DC
Power consumption Less than 5.4W
Operating temperature range 32-104ºF (0-40ºc)
Dimensions Approx. 113mm x 134mm x 275mm (excluding tiny projection)
Weight Body: Approx. 1100g

When recording: indistinct