Quick Review Camcorders: JVC GZ-MC500

The imager system is composed of three 1/4.5" CCDs – each boasting a 1.33 MP count. These specs alone make the GZ-MC500 an intimidating cam, trumping the best consumer Panasonics and Sonys (single-chip camcorders not withstanding), and pitting it in an even match with JVC's MiniDV cam, the GR-X5. All this power resulted in some very good looking video, but still not as great as the MiniDV Panasonic PV-GS250. While the image was quite sharp, the colors could have been a little more vibrant.

Low light performance, a vital factor in a camcorder's overall quality, was excellent. At this time we should note that many JVCs include an "Auto Gain Control" feature. Gain, in brief, is a digital correction method wherein the overall signal is boosted in order to increase the amount of total information (including color). Up to a certain level, gain is generally a desirable thing, particularly in low light, where the signal drops considerably. However, boosting the signal also means increasing the noise within that signal. Noise equals graininess, in video-speak. The trick is finding the balance between two extremes: a noiseless picture with no remaining color or an over-saturated image plagued by noise.

Fortunately, JVC's automatic gain control is excellent. Unlike many camcorders, JVC cams allow you turn the Auto Gain off, but we recommend that you leave it on. It seems to be better, even, than the Panasonic PV-GS250, which gives you full manual gain control, but a noisier picture.

Handling the GZ-MC500 may take some getting used to – primarily because of the size. The camcorder weighs less than a pound and is so small that it could get lost in larger hands. The shape is unusual as well, with the lens barrel pivoting from the body. There is no viewfinder – only a 1.8" LCD on the rear. We found the handling to be surprisingly easy, but be warned that it does heat up quickly. The GZ-MC500’s media also bears explanation. Video and stills are recorded a removable 4GB “MicroDrive,” which comes included. This proprietary technology functions like a little hard drive, but can be fitted into any Compact Flash Type II slot. The video footage can total 60 minutes in the best quality and 300 minutes in the lowest quality. Files are compressed into the MPEG2 format, which is good, but cannot match the relatively uncompressed video of a MiniDV tape. Editing MPEG2 footage can also be problematic, as many editing programs do not support that file type.

The GZ-MC500 proved to be a stellar performer in the still performance category. Due to the picture quality and size, we are proud to assess this as perhaps the first true hybrid camcorder / camera. By this, we mean that the quality of the stills and the video are evenly matched – a first in camcorder history! Stills can be recorded to the MicroDrive or an SD card. The colors and sharpness are amazing, and are complemented by a feature set rivaling some dedicated still cameras: manual ISO, huge resolution sizes, manual shutter and aperture control, and a pop-up flash, among other things.

The video controls are also good, just not as good as the still mode. Automatic adjustments are quick, but have some difficulties in tight zoom shots. As for manual control, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes are the only way to adjust each of those settings. Priority modes, for those of you unfamiliar, are a kind of assisted manual control. They allow you to fully control one setting (i.e., aperture) while the camcorder automatically compensates with the other controls. The zoom toggle switch, while small, is effective, and extends to the zoom to 10x optical (200x digital). A focus ring adds yet another level of quality to the total package.

Ports include A/V / S-Video, USB, and headphone jacks. A DV wire is not necessary as both the MicroDrive and SD cards are removable.

So it comes down to the depth of your own wallet. How much are you willing to shell out for a super-compact camcorder that can take good video and incredible stills? We think $1500 is still too much. The technology works well, thereby virtually guaranteeing an ongoing series of similar camcorders. This can only lead to a drop in price over the next few years. In the meantime, don’t fall prey to the less expensive G-series of Everios. Their quality cannot come close to matching this camcorder, or even anything in their own price range. That said, we applaud JVC for their work on the GZ-MC500, and urge you to check them out.

JVC GZ-MC500: THE BOTTOM LINE... Rating: 218.38

Likes

-Still Performance -Ease Of Use -Portability

Dislikes

-Manual Control -Handling -Closed Battery Port -Audio

 JVC GZ-MC500 Compared to the...

Sony DCR-PC1000 Rating: 215.38	JVC GR-X5 Rating: 224.72	Panasonic PV-GS400 Rating: 134.50	Sony SDR-S100 Rating: 197.94	Canon Optura 600 Rating:
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
-LCD -Video Performance -Automatic Control -Ease of Use -Widescreen	-Low Light Performance -Manual Control -Ease of Use -Audio -Navigation System -Still Capability -Wide Angle -VCR Mode -Ports	-Imager Specs -Optical Zoom Specs -Manual Control -Video Performance -Low Light Performance -Ports -Audio -Handling -Battery	-Manual Control -Portability -Navigation System -Digital Still Capability -Video Performance -VCR Mode -Wide Angle -Ease of Use	-Manual Control -Digital Still Capability
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-Low Light Performance -Ports -Optical Zoom Specs -Closed Battery Port	-Fairly Equal Video Performance -Automatic Control -Optical Zoom Specs -Widescreen		-Optical Zoom -VCR Mode -LCD -Wide Angle -No Accessory Shoe -Closed Battery Port	-Closed Battery Port -Optical Zoom Specs -No Accessory Shoe
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
-Manual Control -Digital Still Capability -Portability -Audio -VCR Mode -Handling -Portability	-Imager Specs -Portability -LCD -Handling -Portability -VCR Mode	-LCD -Automatic Control -Ease of Use -Portability -Still Features	-Ports -Low Light Performance -Automatic Control -Audio -Widescreen -Handling	-LCD -Imager Specs -Ease of Use -Navigation System -Portability -Handling