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Introduction
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01.Design
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02.Product Tour
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03.Performance
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04.Color Performance
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05.Low Light Performance
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06.Motion Performance
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07.Sharpness Performance
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08.Sample Videos
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09.Usability
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10.Ease of Use
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11.Handling
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12.Controls
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13.Features
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14.Recording Options
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15.Hardware
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16.Other Features
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17.JVC GZ-HM200 Comparison
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18.Panasonic HDC-TM10 Comparison
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19.Samsung HMX-H106 Comparison
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20.Conclusion
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21.Photo Gallery
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22.Specs & Ratings
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23.Comments
JVC GZ-HM340
Previous: Page 6
Motion PerformanceNext: Page 8
Sample VideosSharpness Performance
Video Sharpness (10.19)
Strangely, the JVC GZ-HM340 captured a sharper image in our testing than last year’s GZ-HM200. This is the case despite the fact that the HM200 has a larger CMOS sensor than the HM340. We’re not entirely sure what caused this improved sharpness, but we assume it must have to do with better processing and the HM340’s improved lens.
Even though the GZ-HM340 did well on our sharpness test, we did notice quite a bit of artifacting in the videos we shot with the camcorder. Lines didn’t appear as crisp as we would have hoped and fine details often looked fuzzy or blurred. More on how we test video sharpness.
Stabilization (3.22)
JVC outfitted the GZ-HM340 with a new stabilization system this year, but unfortunately it didn’t do very well in our test. The camcorder still uses a digital stabilization system, but the GZ-HM340 has two settings instead of just one (like the JVC GZ-HM200 had). Interestingly, however, we noticed no difference between the two settings in our testing. In our low shake test, the GZ-HM340 reduced 23% of the shake with its stabilization turned on. With the high shake test the camcorder reduced slightly less shake: 16%. More on how we test stabilization.
JVC claims the image stabilization 2 setting is meant for wide angle shots or shots with limited zoom. This helps explain why we saw very little difference between the two stabilization modes in our testing (all of our stabilization testing is done at full optical zoom). The video below shows the GZ-HM340’s stabilization system in action. You can see that the stabilization does do an adequate job at times, but it simply wasn’t as good as on last year’s JVC GZ-HM200 or the Panasonic HDC-TM10.
Shop for the JVC GZ-HM340
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