JVC GR-D395 Camcorder Review

Comparison
JVC GR-D350
The step-down cousin of the GR-D395 – the JVC GR-D350 – is a similar camcorder, stripped of some major features, such as 16:9 mode and still photo mode. The core specs are the same, though, as is the majority of the body. Both models use a 1/6” CCD and boast a 32x zoom. The D350 loses the USB port, supporting only a DV connection for transferring footage to a PC. All in all, you get much more camcorder for the money with the $370 GR-D395 over the $300 GR-D350. Our advice in this comparison is to forgo a dinner out and spring for the GR-D395.

Sony DCR-HC26
We found many of the GR-D395’s design flaws to be annoying – the badly designed zoom toggle, uncomfortable hand-holding, and poorly fitting port covers – all areas in which the HD26 does well. Video performance is a toss-up between the two camcorders – Sony’s bright light performance is better, but the JVC is better in low light, and offers more low light options. When it comes to features overall, however, the GR-D395 comes out well ahead of the Sony HC26 with a stronger zoom, better manual controls, and a huge (both in size and operating time) battery. Despite an MSRP $20 higher at $370, the advantage lies with the GR-D395.

Canon ZR600
The ZR600 ($349 MSRP) is Canon’s middle child in the ZR line, between the ZR500 and ZR700. While we’ve had a chance to review both these models, the ZR600 has thus far eluded our grasp. This year’s ZRs feature identical imagers and are differentiated only by add-ons. In addition to the 1/6” CCD, the ZR600 offers 1024 x 768 stills, and shutter speed control. The ZR600 (safely assuming that it does perform the same as the other ZRs) will have slightly better video performance and low light performance than the JVC GR-D395.

Panasonic PV-GS39
The JVC GR-D395 and Panasonic PV-GS39 share much in common, which is not surprising since both companies are owned by Matsushita, and tend to produce camcorders with more manual controls than other manufacturers. The JVC’s optical zoom is slightly more powerful at 32x vs. 30x, and it offers a few features not found on the Panasonic such as Data Battery. But the PV-GS39 excels in most of the areas the JVC falls short. It’s joystick interface is better, placed on the camcorder’s back and enabling one-handed operation; it's top-loading, facilitating tape changes while affixed to a tripod; it doesn’t suffer from ergonomic issues with a great zoom toggle and comfortable hand strap; and its manual control feature set is better, including f-stop exposure adjustment vs. an EV-based scale. All in all, the Panasonic PV-GS39 is a more refined product, and it’s initial MSRP of $349 makes it a better deal than the $370 GR-D395.

Canon Elura 100
The Canon Elura 100 ($399 MSRP) is the best of what’s available in the under $500 MiniDV market. With a bigger than average 1/5” CCD, crisp, vivid, and well-balanced video performance, and solid low light performance. The Elura also gives you lots of options – useful options – like a mic input, analog-to-digital, and manual shutter speed and aperture control. Rarely does a camcorder this good come along at so low a price. Don’t miss a chance to check it out at your locally-owned electronics store.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
The D395 is great for point-and-shooters, with a prominently displayed Auto button on the left side. The menu is pretty clear and straightforward. A novice could shoot with this.

Budget Consumers (5.0)
At $370 (MSRP), the D395 is certainly within the range of the bargain shopper. The extra-long life battery is also a pretty good bonus. If this is an attractive camcorder to you but the large battery is off-putting, check out the next model up, the GR-D396, which ships with two smaller batteries.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (1.0)
Maxing out at 640 x 480, the D395 is no competition for a dedicated still camera. Even if size is not important to you, the stills are of poor quality.

Gadget Freaks (1.5)
There are no gadgets to speak of on this camcorder. It captures moving pictures. If you just joined us from the Victorian era, hey! This device might really floor you. (Sound recording technology, too!)

Manual Control Freaks (4.0)
JVC generally has a decent manual control set, close to but not matching Panasonic’s. Shutter speed control, Auto Gain Control on/off, exposure control, and Iris Lock.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
Most serious hobbyists would not be interested in a camcorder with such mediocre specs.

Conclusion
The JVC GR-D395 is a camcorder with some very attractive features that are not found on many other camcorders. Yet its strengths are counterbalanced by some serious weaknesses which could have been avoided if the design team had taken more interest in usability. For the average point and shooter, the GR-D395 is a workable choice, but other camcorders are easier to use and perform generally better in Auto mode. It suffers from slow automatic focus and exposure, which are arguably the most important image adjustments. The Panasonic PV-GS59 and Sony DCR-HC36 both perform better in full-auto mode. Yes, this is an easy camcorder to use, with a big one-touch Auto button, but if it can’t deliver the goods, why bother?

The GR-D395 has a decent suite of manual controls, efficiently accessed via the menu button, function submenu, and touchpad. For users who are comfortable using interface buttons that are out of sight on the camcorder’s left side, and don’t mind using two hands to navigate options, this camcorder is a friendly and capable tool. The touchpad won’t be for everyone – while it does have a raised surface allowing a practiced user to operate by touch, we favor joysticks which offer better control for most people. Locating the navigation controls at the camcorder’s back, like Panasonic’s joystick, make one-handed manual operation possible. Sony’s text-based touch screen can be efficient once you’ve learned its extensive hierarchy, but it is a poor interface for tracking picture quality (lots of greasy fingerprints).

In addition, the GR-D395 has some ergonomic and design flaws that take the camcorder down a few notches aesthetically and ergonomically. Hand held shooting is uncomfortable by virtue of a thinly padded hand strap, and the zoom toggle is inferior. Poorly fitting port covers on our unit raised questions about JVC’s quality control while we found the bottom-loading tape compartment inconvenient.

But certain users will still find this quirky camcorder attractive for a few reasons. It combines decent video performance with a 32x optical zoom. It has a great 3-hour battery that beats every other consumer camcorder on the market, and it has a useful battery life meter. Low light performance is bolstered by JVC’s powerful Auto Gain Control. In the end, getting the most out of the GR-D395 requires a thorough knowledge of what the camcorder can do and what it can’t, and the ability to work within these constraints. Others will find the rather strong surveillance capabilities attractive (33x zoom, low light options). But the majority of users would be likely be better served by cameras that don’t require so many trade-offs.

If you're still stuck between the JVC GR-D395, the Panasonic PV-GS39, and the Canon Elura 100, let us put your mind at ease. The Canon Elura 100 comes out the strong winner. The core essentials of a camcorder - performance, handling, manual controls, and ease of use - are all of the highest quality in the Elura 100. Sure the GR-D395 has a great battery, but it takes more than that to become champion in the Iron Camcorder Stadium.