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JVC GZ-HM340

Camcorder Review
March 09, 2010 By Jeremy Stamas 0 Comments (add your own)

Previous: Page 5

Low Light Performance

Next: Page 7

Sharpness Performance
Page 6

Motion Performance

Motion (6.95)

The JVC GZ-HM340 didn’t render motion spectacularly well in our testing. Its problems were too much artifacting, no alternate frame rates for recording video, and an odd discoloration that was noticeable when we shot our rotating greyscale pinwheel. Its motion image was smooth, however, and it didn’t have too much trailing. More on how we test motion.

Motion Comparison
JVC GZ-HM340
JVC GZ-HM200
Panasonic HDC-TM10
Samsung HMX-H106
JVC GZ-HM340 JVC GZ-HM200 Panasonic HDC-TM10 Samsung HMX-H106
Frame Rate(s)
1080/60i 60i 60i, 24P 1080/60i, 720/60p, 480/60p
Artifacting
Slightly more artifacting than the average mid-range HD camcorder. A bit less artifacting than the GZ-HM340. Similar amount of artifacting to the GZ-HM40. Artifacting comparable to that of a high-end camcorder (less than the other camcorders in this table).
Smoothness
Smoothness was pretty good, but motion was not as smooth as other JVC models (like the HM200). Smoothness was very good—a highpoint for the camcorder. Motion was rendered in a smooth and crisp manner. Motion video was smooth, much like the other camcorders in this table.
Trailing
Trailing wasn’t bad, but the focus tended to pop in and out during our motion testing. Trailing wasn’t a problem with the camcorder, but the results weren’t fantastic. Blur was a problem on much of our test footage. Only a minor amount of trailing and blur was noticeable in our testing—good performance overall.
Frequency Interference
Some discoloration in black and white pinwheel was very noticeable. No significant problems with frequency interference. Some blocks of fuzzy interference were noticeable in the RGB pinwheel during our test. Some wobble and bend in straight lines was noticeable.
Slow Motion Mode(s)
Time Lapse Record None None Time Lapse Record

The JVC GZ-HM340 also has a time lapse function that can be used to create an interesting motion effect. You can read more about time lapse in the Other Features section of this review. Overall, we felt the JVC GZ-HM200 rendered better motion than the GZ-HM340, but the difference wasn’t too huge. The HM200 showed less artifacting, had a slightly smoother image, and didn’t have the discoloration problem we mentioned above. The best camcorder of the four listed above—when it came to motion—was the Samsung HMX-H106.
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Low Light Performance

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Sharpness Performance