Quick Review Camcorders: JVC GR-X5

This is the GR-X5 from JVC, an unusual sight to behold, and also one of the best performers this year. We could not believe the quality of video and stills that this camcorder produced. But the proof was in the results.

The GR-X5 is a MiniDV machine and not part of the tape-less Everio series of JVC camcorders. It features three 1/4.5” CCDs, which pack a wallop (and boost the price as well; the GR-X5 runs at about $1000). The colors were incredibly rich, and the sharpness was almost unprecedented for a consumer camcorder without High Definition.

Low light performance was even more impressive. Like many JVCs, the GR-X5 includes an Auto Gain Control (AGC) feature. Gain boosts the overall signal of the image, a useful tool when the light is less than ideal. However, a boost in the signal means a boost in the noise within that signal, as well. Often, camcorders will not allow you to turn the automatic gain off, resulting in bright but terribly grainy pictures. The GR-X5's AGC feature not only allows you to turn it on and off, but seems to have a great deal of control when you do leave it on (so take our advice and do so). In moderate low light, the GR-X5 appears to produce as bright a picture as some camcorders could in sunlight conditions. And better yet, the noise is at a bare minimum. This is an exceptionally good performance, and should be noted for those consumers who will be using their camcorders frequently in low light.

Handling the GR-X5 can take some getting used to, but in the end, we really enjoyed it. There is no viewfinder. Instead, a 2.5” LCD sits in the back. It flips almost every which way except the way I really wanted it to (up and facing me, but tilted back against the top of the body). Because of this, I found it hard to get low angle shots. Everything else was smooth sailing. The buttons and zoom control were all intelligently placed. Some people may find them too small, especially the four-way navigation pad. Located on the wide open spaces of the LCD cavity, this principle interface feature should have made as large as possible.

Some of the automatic controls are better than others, and for the money, they probably could have all been improved. JVC must have figured that the point-and-shoot crowd would not be terribly interested in a $1000 camcorder. (Read this as a warning to inexperienced users.)

Manual controls, on the other hand, are better. Unlike the endless scrolling through menus required on some camcorders, the GR-X5 has sidestepped this with several dedicated buttons: exposure, focus, white balance, and Program AE (Auto Exposure) among them. We only wish it had come included with a real focus ring.

The GR-X5’s moment as a shining star is truly visible in still mode. The feature set for stills is a thing to behold: five resolution sizes (max. 2560 x 1920), four ISO settings, eight time lapse options, and a host of other features. All are recorded to SD card. Like the GZ-MC500, the GR-X5 is a true hybrid. The stills look gorgeous, with extremely potent colors and a sky high resolution (as far as camcorder stills go).

The number of ports on the GR-X5 is more than satisfactory: microphone input, USB, DV, A/V / S-Video, headphones, and a sold accessory shoe. The problem is placement. With some of the jacks under the lens, you run the risk of catching a microphone wire in your shot.

All in all, we believe the GR-X5 to be one of the best camcorders of the year. It trounced the competition, certainly in the category of cams at $1000 and under. Seeing is believing, so please hurry down to your local retailer and ask to give it a try.

JVC GR-X5: THE BOTTOM LINE... Rating: 224.72

Likes

-Still Performance -Video Performance -Manual Controls -Ease Of Use -Portability

Dislikes

-Menu system -Handling -Audio

JVC GR-X5 Compared to the...

Sony DCR-PC1000 Rating: 215.38	JVC GZ-MC500 Rating: 218.38	Panasonic PV-GS400 Rating: 134.50	Sony SDR-S100 Rating: 197.94	Canon Optura 600 Rating:
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
-Imager Specs -Automatic Controls -Ease Of Use -Portability -LCD -Handling -Portability -Widescreen	-Imager Specs -Portability -LCD -Handling -Portability -VCR Mode	-Optical Zoom Specs -Manual Control -Video Performance -Handling -Ease Of Use -LCD	-Manual Control -Portability -Navigation System -Digital -Video Performance -VCR Mode -Wide Angle -Ease Of Use -LCD -Handling -Wide Angle	-Manual Control -Digital Still Capability -Navigation System -Portability
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-Fairly equal Video Performance -Optical Zoom Specs	-Fairly equal Video Performance -Automatic Control -Optical Zoom Specs -Widescreen	-Fairly similar Low Light Performance -Ports	-Optical Zoom Specs	-Optical Zoom Specs
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
-Low Light Performance -Video Performance -Manual Control -Audio -Navigation System -Still Capability -Wide Angle -VCR Mode -Ports -Battery	-Low Light Performance -Manual Control -Ease of Use -Audio -Navigation System -Still Capability -Wide Angle -VCR Mode -Ports	-Automatic Control -Portability -Still Capability -Imager Specs -Audio	-Digital Still Capability -Wide Angle -Ports -Low Light Performance -Automatic Control -Audio -Widescreen -Ports -Close Battery port -Accessory Shoe	-LCD -Imager Specs -Ease of Use -Handling -Accessory Shoe