1/2.5" chip, similar to MG555, but higher resolution, 7+MP. Who cares, if it is standard def only? Compared to MG555, which shot bad video, but was functional, the new cam has no mic input, no shoe, and traded full-size SD card slot to microSD.

Yawn... Now back to regular programming.

There are people who want fantastic low light performance and high resolution stills that don't want HD...
I would have loved one of these when I was traveling around Thailand a few months back, rather than carrying around two cameras, just have them in the one package. Low light performance is one thing that a lot of Standard Def cameras don't get right, as they use tiny little sensors, having a whopping 1/2.5" makes a huge difference, allows me to capture heaps of great night time moments with my friends

Righty,

I agree with you on the big chip, letting in more light. I think what Jockey was saying is, why have more megapixels, if the camcorder just shoots SD resolution? Because note: More pixels on the same sized chip (same size as the MG555, with 5 MPs) equals less light landing on each pixel. For a SD camcorder, I would rather have a 1/2" chip with a matching pixel count for the video resolution. Reason: more light rays landing on each pixel.

I agree that JVC should have kept some of the manual goodies and the almost-prosumer aspects of the MG555. The features such as the accessory shoe and the mic imput, as well as the big sensor are the reasons why I bought one.

I don't agree, however that the MG555 takes "bad" video. It takes average video, maybe, but not "bad."

Todd.

The reason they have added more megapixels is to cater for the "two in one" camera, being a good quality video camera and good quality still camera, there are a lot of people who want them in one compact unit, so they don't have to carry around two cmaeras, infact as i was browing in the duty free store in my airport a couple of weeks back, i overheard three people asking for a camera just like that but within a decent price range, and that was probably within about 15 minutes!

So in a nutshell, it's not there to help video quality, but to help still image quality.

If one wants a 7MP camera that can shoot occasional video, one is better off with a still camera. Umm, considering lack of shoe and mic input, I suppose that this new cam is indeed a still camera shaped as camcorder. Will anyone buy it for ~$900 (Japanese MSRP) when cheaper HD camcorders are availaible?

Better all-in-one (when it comes out): Casio EX-F1.

I can't wait to see what technology comes my way after I wear out my JVC.

Todd.

The Casio F1 does looks like one sexy beast, I can't disagree with you there mate Will be good to check it out if it ever hits aussie shores.