JVC Everio GZ-MG670 Camcorder Review

Still Features Summary
• Only one still image size is offered—832 x 624. • Good color accuracy, but low resolution makes this score trivial. • Self-timer and continuous shutter are the camcorder's only dedicated still features.
	Manual Controls	(Page 8 of 17)	Handling & Use

Still Features (6.60)

Like the JVC GZ-MG330 before it, the GZ-MG670 isn't a camcorder loaded with still features. The camcorder doesn't offer any still image size options (all photos are 832 x 624), has no flash, and offers two quality options (fine and standard). Offering a maximum still image size of 832 x 624 basically means photos captured with the GZ-MG670 are going to look like garbage. They'll work on the web or as small attachments in an Email, but don't plan on printing them out to frame above your desk.

Most of the manual controls that are available to you in video mode are also applicable when taking still images. White balance, exposure, digital effects, etc. are all utilized in the same manner and are accessed through the same menu system as in video mode. The shutter speed can be set to speeds of 1/2 to 1/500 of a second.

The only dedicated still features on the JVC GZ-MG670 are a self timer (can be set to 2 or 10 seconds) and a continuous shutter option that will snap photo after photo for as long as you hold your finger on the shutter button.
 

The main menu in still image mode		The manual control menu in still image mode

Still Color (11.78)

Just as we saw with video performance, the JVC GZ-MG670 produced very accurate colors in its still images. At best, the camcorder measured a color error of 2.97 with a saturation level of 102.6% in our still color testing. While this is a solid color accuracy score, keep in mind that the still features and maximum resolution for photographs on the JVC GZ-MG670 is quite limited. The strong colors won't do you any good when your image resolution is a measly 0.5 Megapixels. (More on how we test still color.)

The GZ-MG670 captures accurate colors.

Still Noise (9.72)

The GZ-MG670 measured a noise level of approximately 0.735% in our still noise testing. This is a bit higher than the camcorder scored on our video noise tests, which tells us JVC didn't put too much effort into boosting GZ-MG670's still image capabilities. This is also a worse noise score than the percentage put up by last year's JVC GZ-MG330 (0.56% noise). The 0.735% noise isn't terrible, however, and since the camcorder doesn't take high resolution photographs you probably won't even notice the extra noise. (More on how we test still noise.)

Still Resolution (0.82)

At best, the GZ-MG670 measured a horizontal resolution of 599 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) with an oversharpening of 8.6%. The vertical resolution was measured slightly lower at 490 lw/ph and with 4.4% oversharpening. This is a big improvement over the JVC GZ-MG330, which had only 428 lw/ph horizontal and 384 lw/ph vertical. Still, these resolutions are nothing compared to what you'd get from even a low-end dedicated still camera or a mediocre HD camcorder. (More on how we test still resolution.)