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Introduction
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01.Design
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02.Performance
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03.Color Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Motion Performance
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06.Sharpness Performance
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07.Sample Videos
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08.Usability
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09.Ease of Use
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10.Handling
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11.Controls
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12.Features
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13.Recording Options
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14.Hardware
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15.Other Features
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16.JVC GZ-X900 Comparison
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17.Panasonic HDC-TM300 Comparison
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18.Canon HF S11 Comparison
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19.Conclusion
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20.Photo Gallery
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21.Specs & Ratings
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22.Comments
JVC GZ-HM400
Previous: Page 16
JVC GZ-X900 ComparisonNext: Page 18
Canon HF S11 ComparisonPanasonic HDC-TM300 Comparison
The GZ-HM400 is the best camcorder we’ve reviewed this year from JVC, but it isn’t nearly as good as the Panasonic HDC-TM300 for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, the TM300 had much better low light performance in our testing. It managed to keep colors accurate, noise levels down, and maintain a low light sensitivity that is worthy of a high-end HD camcorder. The main problem with the GZ-HM400 is the fact that it had such difficulty when the lights got dim. It required over three times the amount of light as the HDC-TM300 to capture a usable video image.
Low light performance aside, these two camcorders are actually very similar. They both have 32GB of internal flash memory, both include a variety of manual controls, and both feature a traditional design. The Panasonic, however, is far more comfortable to hold and use, offers a lens ring instead of an adjustment dial, and has an electronic viewfinder as well as a 2.7-inch LCD. One perk of the GZ-HM400 was its excellent bright light performance scores—particularly in motion and sharpness—that were slightly higher than what the Panasonic TM300 had to offer. The JVC also has more still features and better still sharpness capabilities than the HDC-TM300.The Panasonic includes a 24p recording mode, while the JVC has no alternate frame rates for Full HD recording (it does have three low-quality slow-motion modes, however).
Mainly due to its increased ability in handling low light situations, as well as its more comfortable design, the HDC-TM300 is a superior product to the JVC GZ-HM400 in almost every category. Since it is a hands-down better camcorder than the GZ-HM400, we feel it is well worth the extra cash.
Shop for the JVC GZ-HM400
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