Hitachi DZ-GX3300A Camcorder Review

The Front (7.5)
In front, the boxy DZ-GX3300 is capped by a prominent 10x optical zoom lens with a filter diameter of 37 mm and a focal length of 6.1 mm to 61 mm.. The lens is fronted by what looks like a metal focus ring but, is in fact, a removable plastic lens hood with a finger-friendly studded surface--yet another example of this camcorder’s lack of substance beneath the surface. Underneath the lens is the stereo microphone and an inconspicuous and flimsy plastic port cover, which conceals the A/V, USB and external microphone ports. This is a sound design; you'd never be able to block the flash or lens with a stray finger.

The Right Side (7.5)
The right side of the DZ-GX3300 is the territory of the camcorder's large top-loading DVD mechanism. It’s made of the same metalesque plastic as the rest of the camcorder, this time with a graphite-like appearance. Five readily visible metal screws securing the exterior right panel to the camcorder frame further detract from the DVD bay’s aesthetic appeal. Most manufacturers would have done something to hide the hobby shop look of these screws – but for some reason, Hitachi did not.

A hand strap extends along the length of the camera’s lower right side, occupying the bottom third of the DVD bay. The strap is serviceable, but the ninety-degree edge of the camcorder’s underside makes for uncomfortable hand-holding. Another design flaw is that, when the DVD door is opens fully, it runs into the hand strap. Opening the door all the way causes the camera to pivot up onto its side unless the strap is loose. This design was not fully thought out.

The Back (7.0)
The back of the DZ-GX3300 is crowded with undersized controls that are plagued by the same cheap plastic feel of the camcorder’s exterior. Starting at the top right is the Access/PC indicator light, and below that the disc eject button. The battery eject button is at seven o’clock relative to that, and the mode dial is to the right. At the top left of the DZ-GX3300’s back is the viewfinder, which can be extended from the camcorder body but does not pivot upwards. The battery bay is located directly beneath the viewfinder.

The Left Side (5.5)
A large silvery barrel that extends back from the lens defines the GX3300’s left side and gives the camcorder a gun-like appearance that is either militaristic or slightly retro. Primary navigation buttons, including the VCR control/touchpad, form an oblong arrangement where the barrel tapers towards the rear of the unit. The generously sized 2.7” LCD screen occupies the lower right half of the left side, and can be opened to 90 degrees, and then pivoted 270. The LCD can also be flipped and folded into its cavity for picture monitoring.

Several buttons governing manual control, as well as the disc finalize button, are located inside the LCD cavity – an extremely inconvenient location to access during a shoot and one of the camera’s most egregious design flaws. These buttons inset into the camcorder body beneath a flat plastic skin, which means they are impossible to operate by touch, which is a necessity if you need to make adjustments on the fly. This poor implementation renders important manual controls, like focus, practically useless.

The Top (7.0)
The gun-barrel leading back from the lens is highly prominent on top of the DZ-GX3300 as well, and is the only feature on the front half of the camcorder when it’s viewed from above. A video flash shoe is located just over halfway down the barrel. Directly behind this, over the viewfinder, is a Sleep/Restart button, which enables you to sleep/restart the camcorder easily. To the right of this button is a small raised zoom toggle, placed awkwardly out of line with your index finger’s natural resting place when holding the camcorder. The photo button is even less convenient: it’s directly behind the zoom toggle, far enough out of reach that it requires an awkward lateral stretch of the index finger to depress. While, at first glance, the GX3300 is not unlike many other DVD camcorders, a little bit of hands-on practice shows its poorly implemented design.