Quick Review Camcorders: JVC GR-DF450

The JVC GR-DF450 will forever be in the shadow of its bigger brother, the JVC GR-DF550. The GR-DF450 has a lot to offer;  unfortunately, so does the GR-DF550 - the Marsha Brady of JVC Ultra Compact camcorders. For only $20 more, the GR-DF550 offers a better imager (1/4.5-inch CCD with 1.3 MP gross) and more still resolution options (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480). The two camcorders have similar performances, and both pack a lot of ports and features into a miniaturized camcorder.  But for only $20 more, the GR-DF550 offers a better imager, with a Megabrid engine, and more still resolution options. The choice seems clear, but let's explore the GR-DF450 anyway.

The GR-DF450 ships with the standard, entry-level 1/6” CCD and 690K gross pixels. In conditions comparable to a bright sunny day, the GR-DF450 produced bright and sharp images, comparable to those from higher-end camcorders. While crisp, the colors did lack a bit in potency. With its bigger imager, the GR-DF550 had richer colors than its smaller sibling.  Both camcorders' color representation is outmatched by less expensive and lesser-equipped camcorders, such as the GR-D270 and the Panasonic PV-GS35.

This camcorder offers two gain control features to aid in low light conditions. Auto Gain Control (AGC) boosts the overall signal, thus enhancing brightness. The Auto A feature is simply the Auto Gain control with an added slow shutter speed. Although these gain control functions will brighten up an image in low light conditions, there will be an increase in noise. Also, a slow shutter speed will distort moving images, so use the feature with caution.

In a lighting environment that was equivalent to a dimly lit room, the GR-DF450 performed well with the auto gain functions engaged. When the camcorder used AGC or Auto A, it gave us a bright image that rivaled most one-chip camcorders in low light conditions. Similar to the GR-DF550, the gain functions boosted the vibrancy of the colors, providing deeper reds and blues.  The camcorder's 3D Noise Reduction reduces some of the noise often cause by implementing automatic gain features.  Be warned that any increase in gain will cause a corresponding increase in the level of noise. Without the gain control features, the camcorder produced dark unusable images with barely any color information.

Along with the auto gain control features, the GR-DF series houses a wealth of other features, ports, and image quality control options. One of its more clever and unusual features (for a camcorder) is the ability to capture images over several different time intervals. One can also employ the animation feature, which captures a single frame at timed intervals for stop motion animation. JVC appears to be the only manufacturer offering these features in camcorders in this price range, and will certainly find a fan base amongst some demographic (probably "Broke Artists"). GR-DF users also have several ports at their disposal: DV, USB, S-Video, A/V in / out, microphone input, and an accessory shoe (cold) on top. 

The GR-DF450 has a lot of manual control options, which is rare for a camcorder of its size or price. The GR-DF450, along with its GR-DF550 sibling, tries to offer the user optimum control over the image quality. This camcorder offers shutter speed options, an essential often overlooked on other camcorders.

While the ports and features make this a versatile camcorder, the reality of it is a bit like bringing a dying man water in a broken pitcher - a wealth of what you want more than anything, but how do you get to it?! Buttons appear crammed on the small frame. Accessing features can be cumbersome. It requires fumbling with the camcorder to avoid tripping over one's fingers. Another handling problem is the extensive menu system. The user must roam through categories and subcategories in order to access fundamental features. 

The GR-DF450 and the GR-DF550 share each others  triumphs and downfalls. But for twenty dollars more, the 550 has a better imager and more still optionsm which makes it an undeniably better deal. Users that are patient with the menu system will find these camcorders to be an adequate tool to control image quality. The GR-DF series offers a lot features and manual controls, but the means of utilizing them can be a rigorous and trying process. We recommend trying before you buy.

JVC GR-DF450: THE BOTTOM LINE... Rating: 179.65

Likes

-Manual Controls -Ports -Portability

Dislikes

-Low Light -Menu System

JVC GR-DF450 Compared to the...

JVC GR-DF550 Rating:195.38	Panasonic PV-GS35 Rating:189.07	Sony DCR-HC42 Rating: 170.74	Canon Elura 85 Rating: 204.35	Canon Optura 60 Rating: 209.25
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
-Imager Specs -Video Performance -Low Light Performance -Digital Still Capability -Wide Angle	-Optical Zoom Specs -Video Performance -Low Light Performance  -Manual Controls -Wide Angle -Navigational System -Video Resolution -LCD -Still Capability	-LCD -Optical Zoom -Automatic Control -Ease of Use -Wide Screen -Wide Angle -Still Capability	-Video Performance -Low Light Performance -Ease of Use -Flash -Optical Zoom Specs -Audio Dubbing -Imager Specs -Widescreen Mode -Still capability -Audio	-Imager Specs -Digital Still Capability -Low Light Performance -Video Performance -Ports -Manual Audio Modes -Manual Control -VCR Mode -Audio -Widescreen Mode
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-Optical Zoom Specs -Ports -Automatic Controls -Manual Controls -Ease of Use Still Performance -Optical Zoom Specs -LCD -Audio -Handling -Portability -Ports	-Ports -Audio -Handling	-MPEG -Webcam	-Accessory Shoe -Image Stabilization -MPEG -Manual Control -Handling	-Video Light -Accessory Shoe -Manual Control -Handling -Wide Angle
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
-Affordability	-Portability -Automatic Control -Ease of Use -Widescreen -Accessory Shoe -Ports	-Video Performance -Low Light Performance -Ports -VCR Mode -Manual Control -Handling -Audio	-Ports -Portability -Automatic Control -VCR Mode -Wide Angle -LCD	Optical Zoom Specs -Portability -Automatic Control -LCD -Ports