JVC GR-D350 Camcorder Review

Comparison
Sony DCR-HC26
When shooting in normal lighting, the JVC GR-D350 outperformed the Sony DCR-HC26, producing more accurate colors as well as sharper video quality. The JVC GR-D350 was not able to stand up to the Sony's performance in low light, however: it required audio gain just to get a visible image at 60 lux. Although the DCR has an identically sized CCD, an Easy mode and the ability to record still images to MiniDV, its zoom range is only 20x and its field of view is just 44 degrees. It also has fewer manual controls and a poorly-designed touch screen interface. One major benefit over the JVC GR-D350 is a top loading tape cartridge that allows the user to switch tapes when on tripod . This camcorder has an initial retail price of $349, putting it in a slightly higher price range. Winner: the JVC GR-D350.

Canon ZR500
The JVC GR-D350 managed to produce better color accuracy and video quality than the ZR500. However, it once again failed to produce the same caliber results in low light. The ZR500 has a 2.7 inch widescreen display, an identically sized imager, more audio options, including a mic in port, and a more functional joystick control. However, the electronic color viewfinder on the ZR500 is terribly designed and shouldn't be considered a feasible secondary viewing device, and the D350 has more gain features. The ZR500 also doesn't have any sort of still feature option, and users will have to move up in price to the ZR700 in order to attain any sort of minimal hybrid functionality. These problems aside, the ZR500 does have a true widescreen setting: an increase of eleven degrees when switching between 4:3 and 16:9 formats. This camcorder has an initial retail price of $299. We loved the ZR500, and rank it top in the entry level market, besting the GR-D350.

Panasonic PV-GS29
Panasonic's entry level model, the PV-GS29, is priced the same as the GR-D350. Many of its features are also the same as those of the JVC camcorder: a 1/6” CCD with 680K gross pixels,  a small 2.5” LCD, and the ability to record stills to MiniDV tape. The GS29 does have better manual controls, including a full range of gain, more shutter speed options, and precise f-stop control.

While we have not yet had a chance to review the GS29, we have looked at the PV-GS3, the second model up from the entry-level. In performance, the GS39 had a less rich, noisier image in bright light than the JVC, but the Panasonic dominated in low light. Overall, the Panasonic was the more well-rounded camcorder.

JVC GR-D250
The GR-D350 replaces last year’s entry level GR-D250. In our review, we found the that the new GR-D350 had much better sharpness. Color balance was about the same, with similar amounts of saturation which were a little heavy in the blue portion of the spectrum. Low light performance on the D250 was a little dimmer, and had some focus issues that the D350 did not. The D250 did not have a touchpad at all for navigating the menu. Instead, it used  - and + buttons. While we're not fans of the touchpad, per se, we like it better than no four-way control at all. Overall, a price drop from $430 to $300 and better performance make the GR-D350 a much better buy.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
The JVC GR-D350 has an Auto mode that will free the point-and-shoot user from ever needing to adjust a control setting or enter the menu structure. When switched into the auto mode, the camcorder will only give the user control over zoom levels, providing an extremely simple and wholly uncomplicated control setup.

Budget Consumers (6.0)
Priced at $300 MSRP, with manual control features which include focus, shutter speed, auto gain control, white balance, and exposure, the JVC GR-D350 is definitely an option for budget-minded consumers, especially given the fact that the video quality was better than that of the competition in this price range.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (1.0)
The hybrid user would best look elsewhere:  while the JVC GR-D350 does have a snapshot button that records still images, it saves them, in a 640 x 480 format, to MiniDV tape. There are no other still feature options available when shooting with this camcorder.

Gadget Freaks (1.5)
This is a standard, straight forward MiniDV camcorder with a budget price. No features distinguish this camcorder from the plethora of options in its price range with identical features and image parameters.

Manual Control Freaks (4.0)
The manual control freak on a budget could certainly find this camcorder a tempting option, considering its reasonable price and access to controls such as manual focus, white balance, exposure, shutter speed, and auto gain up. In addition, the GR-D350 also has superior video performance than the competition at this price.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
Priced at MSRP $300, the JVC-GRD350 is not a camcorder intended for the serious hobbyist or professional.

Conclusion
Entry-level camcorders play an important role in any manufacturer’s line-up. This is where many consumers begin their search, and, if fancy features are not a necessity, this is where that search ends. All the major players have a model at or under $350; Canon and JVC have two.

At an MSRP of $300, the GR-D350 certainly delivers good video quality at bright light. In fact, we liked it slightly better than the competing models from Sony, Panasonic, and Canon. This was the only category where the D350 really shone, though. Handling took a dive with the inclusion of a four-way touchpad, which we don't like any better now than we did last year.  Low light performance also dragged down the overall score, with the D350 performing worse than any of the competing models.

In all, the D350 is not the well-rounded device that made the ZR500 such a favorite of ours, nor did it have the manual controls of the Panasonic models. True, the video performance was better, but a lot of other factors go into a great camcorder. We place the D350 smack in the middle of the entry-level spectrum, stronger than the Sony HC26 but weaker than several others.