JVC GR-DX97 Camcorder Review

by Nathaniel Hansen
Published on Jun 4, 2004 6:00 PM



The JVC GR-DX97 (Review, Specs, $799) is in the middle of that product line, with a MSRP of US$699 and comes equipped with a 12x optical zoom, 3 inch LCD, and 1/6th inch 680K CCD. With a unique LCD that flips up, instead of out, adding to the handling of this small camcorder, users who like their camcorders small will adapt to and most likely enjoy the features on board the JVC GR-DX97.

Video Performance (7.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 has a 1/6 inch CCD and a 12x optical zoom lens. For the most part, consumers can count on any camcorder to deliver decent if not great video provided there is adequate light-without there being too much light. The JVC GR-DX97 performed well, as was expected, at light levels measuring 3000 lux. The color chart image will show that 3000 lux might be a little too much light for the JVC GR-DX97 to handle, as the colors appear a little washed. Additionally, the image is not nearly saturated as displayed on the LCD-user be warned. Getting to know a camcorder's threshold for light is a process of trial and error. There is good difference in hue between the green and yellow tile, although the yellow tile is not as vibrant as one would hope. The red center tile is not as saturated as I expected either, but the blue and magenta tiles are adequately vibrant. The blue leans heavily to purple in its hue, and the magenta is a little pinkish in its color representation. I was impressed with the grayscales and the white and black tiles, as the blacks are dense, and the white tiles are very bright. The focus is ever so slightly off, and readers should remember that these tests are conducted in full auto mode.


The Front (7.0)
The front of the JVC GR-DX97 is streamlined with the lens on top, the stereo microphone directly beneath. Under the mic are the three LEDs with the infrared remote sensor at the bottom. On the left of the front side is a port cover for mic, USB, AV, and DC.

The Right Side (9.5)
The right side of the JVC GR-DX97 is plain and simple: battery port and strap. The battery port is almost the same size as the entire right side. It can be opened with the switch at the bottom of the right side, under the strap. The battery is very thin, about the same size as 5 credit cards stacked together. The good sized strap runs diagonally from the middle back of the right side to the bottom front of the right side. The strap can be adjusted and fit comfortably around my large hand. There is also a small speaker on the right side, at the front.

The Back (8.0)
The back of the JVC GR-DX97 is the central nervous system to the camcorder. At the top is the viewfinder, which can be extended out approximately one inch. Below the color viewfinder, is the main navigation panel with photo button and record buttons parallel at the top, volume/zoom toggle and menu buttons parallel directly beneath, and at the bottom is the compass like VCR playback/navigation key pad. Each of these buttons is appropriately labeled in gray above or beside the actual button. At the lower left side of the back, users will find the memory/video switch. Consider this the secondary mode switch as its position will determine which format the digital media will be recorded to: Mini DV or Memory Card. At the very bottom of the back is the Memory Card cover which can be easily flipped open for access to the actual slot.

The Left Side (7.5)
The left side of the JVC GR-DX97 is dominated by the 3 inch LCD. This LCD is slightly different than other matchbook style celebrity camcorder LCDs, in that it opens bottom up, and when opened sits much higher on the left side of the JVC GR-DX97. When open, in the recessed area users can access four small rectangular buttons for use during memory card mode: Email/Info, Select, Index/Navi, Navi/Store. At the front and top of the left side is the mode/power slider switch. The switch can be moved from the Off position up to Play (VCR Playback) or down to Automatic mode, and further down still, to Manual Mode. Above the slider is a small Power/Charge LED. Below the slider, towards the bottom of the left side, users can access the Firewire/DV port. The LCD must be open in order to have access to this port.

The Top(7.0)
The top of the JVC GR-DX97 is bare bones indeed, with only a zoom toggle at the back. A closer examination of the black plastic top, will reveal that it is slightly contoured for better handling and grip.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
Automatic mode on the JVC GR-DX97 is very restrictive, as it does not allow for any manual control access. In fact, the menu is not even accessible when the JVC GR-DX97 is set to automatic mode. The only feature or tools available are the two zoom toggles (on top and on the back) and the Fast Forward/Light button which activates the three bulb LED on the front of the JVC GR-DX97. Adjustments that are automated in automatic mode are white balance, shutter speed, gain, focus, and exposure. The white balance adjusted very slowly (nearly 20 seconds). The shutter speed gain and exposure however, were very quick to adjust, almost unnaturally quick as the difference from dark to light illumination appears as a flash. Perhaps I am not accustomed to camcorders making these automatic adjustments so quickly, but none the less it seemed a little too quick. Overall the image adjustments are reliable and accurate in the end.

Overall Manual Control (6.0)
I was pleased to find decent manual control options on this matchbook style camcorder. The JVC GR-DX97 offers manual control over shutter speed (program AE), white balance, exposure, and focus. To access the manual controls, the JVC GR-DX97 must be in manual mode which can be selected using the mode switch slider at the front of the left side. When in manual mode, if the menu button is pressed the available manual options can be selected from various options within menu.

Zoom (6.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 has a 12x optical zoom and digital zoom settings of 40x and 700x. The zoom toggle on the top is contoured and shaped for easy maneuvering with the thumb or index finger. With this toggle, three variable zoom speeds are easily achieved. The secondary zoom toggle is on the back, and is actually two buttons labeled T (telephoto) and W (wide angle). These buttons are restricted to one medium paced zoom speed. The T and W buttons are easily accessed by the thumb as well as the left hand.

Focus (5.5)
The JVC GR-DX97 has automatic and manual focus settings. The manual focus setting is accessed by pressing the Play/Pause button (also labeled in gray as ''Focus'') and holding until the image is focused. Alternatively, when the focus feature is engaged, the user can press the fast forward or rewind buttons on the Playback navigation panel to make macro or micro focal adjustments. When the Play/Pause button is held, the JVC GR-DX97 focuses to ''infinity.'' This option responds and manages to make focal adjustments quickly, but it might just be easier to rely on the automatic focus. When making manual focal adjustments, a desired focal length can be ''set'' by pressing the central button on the navigation key pad appropriately labeled ''set.'' To unset or change the focal setting, simply press the ''set'' button again and make adjustments. To get out of manual focus mode, press the Play/Pause/Focus button on the navigation keypad.

Exposure (Aperture) (4.5)
Manual exposure is available on the JVC GR-DX97, and can be accessed by pressing the Menu button on the back of the camcorder. Numerical exposure settings ranging from -6 to +6 will appear in the lower left panel of the LCD. By pressing the fast forward and rewind buttons on the navigation keypad, users can increase or decrease the exposure of the scene. Once the desired manual exposure is set, users will have to go back into the menu to unset it or reset it. Unlike the manual focus feature, there is not button outside of the menu button, that will give quick access to the feature for making adjustments.

Shutter Speed (3.0)
Manual shutter speeds of 1/60-1/4000 are available as well as Program AE options of Sports, Snow, Spotlight, Twilight, Sepia, Monotone, Classic Film, and Strobe. Each of these Program AE options fixes the shutter speed to replicate a type of image or to put the camcorder in a mode that the scene is most appropriate.

White Balance (7.0)
White balance options of Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, and Halogen are available in manual mode on the JVC GR-DX97. These are accessed when the JVC GR-DX97 mode switch slider is in the manual position. White balance can then be selected from the menu and the desired setting can be selected.

Gain (0.0)
There are no specific gain options on the JVC GR-DX97, although there are to automated settings, AGC (auto gain control) and Auto A (which is a low light setting). These can be selected in the same manner as the other manual settings, by accessing the menu, navigate to the desired control by using the Playback keypad, and make the desired section by pressing the set button in the center of the keypad. Both of the automated gain options boost the electronic illumination making the image appear brighter than it actually is. Too much gain, and a decent image can be severely compromised with noise and grain.

Still Performance(7.0)
Image quality settings of fine and standard are available on the JVC GR-DX97. Additionally, image size settings of 640 x 480 and 1024 x 768 are available. The JVC GR-DX97 can be set up to record still images to tape or to card and tape. Interval time settings of 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, are available for time lapse photography.

VCR Mode (6.5)
By switching the mode switch slider, on the front of the left side, all the way up to PLAY, users can review footage they have recorded on their JVC GR-DX97. The compass-like navigation keypad on the back of the JVC GR-DX97 is used for Playback. The buttons are labeled, starting on top and moving clockwise, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Stop, and Rewind. Theoretically, Playback on the JVC GR-DX97 could be used with the LCD facing out and recessed, although easily locating and utilizing the Playback keypad might be difficult.

Low Light Performance(5.2)
Image representation and quality at 60 lux was similar to that at 3000 lux. The overall image brightness is maintained, most likely from the automatic gain control. As a result, there is some grain and noise evident, although evenly distributed, throughout the color chart. The focus is more off than at 3000 lux, and there is a good deal of blurring on the resolution bars. Color to color, the representation is nearly the same as at 3000 lux. At 15 lux, the image is remarkably bright, again most likely a result of the automatic gain control. The entire image takes on a slightly brown hue, and the resolution bars are discolored appearing blue and yellow. Color for color, green and yellow suffer the greatest degeneration at this light setting. Ironically, at 15 lux there is far less noise on the color tiles themselves, than at 60 lux. The overall image is much less sharp, but the lack of grain was noticeable. The grayscales, black and white tiles have lost some of their vibrancy at this setting, but they have not faded as much as one might expect for such low light settings.

LCD/ Viewfinder(8.5)
The JVC GR-DX97 is equipped with a 3-inch diagonal LCD and a .3 inch diagonal color viewfinder. When the JVC GR-DX97 is in any of the operating modes, users must choose between using the LCD or the viewfinder. In order for the viewfinder to be accessible, it must be pulled out from the camcorder body (approx. one half inch). Closing and opening the viewfinder or LCD functions as alternative on and off switches, if the JVC GR-DX97 is in an operating mode. If the viewfinder is not pulled out, and the user closes the LCD, the JVC GR-DX97 shuts off, and vice versa. This was an interesting feature, and certainly one that forces users to make a decision. There is some solarizing on the LCD, and it is a reflective surface.

The LCD has a crisp image, and can be rotated like standard LCD screens. This one, however, flips up towards the top and away from the camcorder body, instead of out to the left and away. As such, the LCD is situated much higher on the camcorder body than traditional LCD displays. After getting used to handling and adjusting, I quite liked the higher positioning of the LCD. The viewfinder is static, and cannot be rotated. As such, I did not find myself inclined to use it. Additionally, in order to work, it must be pulled out away from the JVC GR-DX97 body.

Audio (7.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 has a stereo microphone on the front, as well as a mic in port. There is no accessory shoe port, so the external mic would either be hand held or fastened on with third party camcorder hardware. The JVC GR-DX97 can record 12 bit and 16 bit audio.

Handling (4.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 is light weight and very small, as is customary with the matchbook style camcorders. The strap on the right side did a good job of keeping the JVC GR-DX97 snug and in place, however, my fingers often slipped in front of the lens as well as onto the mic. It would be nice if the JVC GR-DX97 was contoured on top so as to prevent the fingers from slipping off the front. Even the addition of a non slip surface, found on many regular sized camcorders, would be an improvement. If it's humid, or users suffer from sweaty palms, beware: the slick nature of the top and sides of the JVC GR-DX97 may be unforgiving.

The LCD handled well, and its high positioning made handling a little more comfortable as it kept me from always looking down at the LCD. The zoom toggles and menu buttons are accessible by the appropriate digits, but the menu buttons will most likely have to be depressed by an alternate hand. I wonder if they'll ever come out with a ''lefty'' JVC GR-DX97.

The JVC GR-DX97 is bottom loading, and has a steel tripod receptacle on the non tape side. I don't think that there is any other way to squeeze a tape inside these matchbook style camcorders, other than from the bottom. The bottom loaders are a pain when users need to change tapes as most tripod adapters are too wide, not allowing the tape mechanism to open. This could be a handling issue, but it depends on the user.

Ports (8.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 has mic, USB, AV, and DC ports on the front of the camcorder body and a Firewire/DV port on the left side. They are well placed, as most would never be used during recording. The DC would probably be better positioned near or on the back, but real estate is limited and expensive on these tiny camcorders so that may not be an option. The front port cover feels fragile, and requires some prying effort to get open.

Other Features (5.5)
NightAlive For recording images in super low/no light scenarios.
WebCam It is possible to use the JVC GR-DX97 as a webcam by hooking it up via USB to a personal computer.
Transition Effects The JVC GR-DX97 is equipped with over a dozen in-camera editing transitions such as wipes, fades, etc.
16:9 widescreen mode The JVC GR-DX97 has a digitally-manipulated wide screen stretch mode as well as a 16:9 letter box option.
MPEG MPEG4 movies be recorded to memory cards at a size of 160x120. The feature is designed specifically for email.
Analog to Digital Pass Through The JVC GR-DX97 supports digital-to-analog pass through with the supplied AV cables.

Comparisons
The GR-DX97US is priced at $700, and has a 1/6th inch 680k CCD and ships with a three-bulb LED and a 3 inch LCD. Price wise, the GR-DX97US is comparable to several camcorders, namely the Panasonic PV-GS120 (Review, Specs, $479), the Canon ZR90 (Review, Specs, $229), and the Sony HC40.

Panasonic PV-GS120 The PV-GS120 has three 1/6 inch CCDs with 290K (x 3) effective pixels for video and 280K (x 3) effective pixels for stills. The PV-GS120 has a 10x optical zoom, 25x and 700x digital zoom capabilities. It is a lot bigger than the GR-DX97, but then again, they are a different style of camcorder. The PV-GS120 has more manual control options than the GR-DX97, and is not as restrictive in automatic.

Canon ZR90 The ZR90 has the same CCD size but a lot more optical zoom power at 22x. The ZR90 is much bigger than the GR-DX97, and in larger hands may feel more secure. The sub par low light performance on the ZR line may detract some users, but the camcorder is comfortable to hold, has the same manual control options, and ships with Canon's superior optics on board.

Sony DCR-HC40 (Review, Specs, $539.94) The HC40 is designed for the point and shoot consumer. It has a 1/5th inch 680K CCD, and a 10x optical zoom lens. The HC40's Easy mode is about as close as you can get to auto pilot by restricting and ''dumbing'' down the menu and manual control options. Although somewhat restrictive, the JVC GR-DX97's automatic mode allows no access to the menu and is designed for complete worry free fully automated recording. The difference is that JVC has not marketed this feature as a mode, or as something unique. The HC40 has spot focus and spot metering on board, and a similar feature is on board the GR-DX97. Spot metering on the JVC GR-DX97 is much less intuitive, and requires fumbling through the menu to select a pre determined frame within the LCD. The HC40 is touch screen operated, so spot metering is as simple as touching the screen-although getting to the spot metering feature requires some menu fumbling.

In the vertical/matchbook market the JVC GR-DX97 has two main competitors: the Canon Elura 50 and the Sony PC109 (Review, Specs, $599.99).

Canon Elura 50 The Elura 50 has a 1/6th inch 630K CCD with a 10x optical zoom, a 2 inch LCD, and no LED. The Elura 50 has more ports on board, including S-Video, which may be an attractive option for some users. The Elura 50 has the same still options as the JVC GR-DX97, as well as equivalent manual control options.

Sony DCR-PC109 (Review, Specs, $599.99) The Sony PC-109 has a 1/5th inch 680K CCD with a 10x optical zoom, a 2.5 inch LCD, and no LED. The PC-109 also has a docking station that makes hooking the camcorder up to peripheral media a little simpler. A full review is in progress on the PC-109.

Who it's For
Point-and-Shooters (6.0)
A great point and shoot camcorder, maybe too great as there is no access to the menu when in automatic.
Budget Consumers(4.0)
Not the greatest choice for the buyer on a budget. There's a good reason it's called the celebrity series.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid(5.0)
The GR-DX97 is a pretty decent camcorder for the camcorder hybrid enthusiast, although a separate still camera is always recommended for far superior still photos.
Gadget Freaks(5.0)
This is a good choice for the gadget freaks: it's small, it's light weight, and it's got a cool flip up LCD.
Manual Control Freaks(5.0)
There is some manual control on board the GR-DX97, and more than expected for a matchbook style camcorder. Enough to keep the control freak satisfied for a little while anyway.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists(3.0)
A good back up camcorder or small and light weight travel companion.

Conclusion
The JVC GR-DX97 is a solid little camcorder with a 1/6 inch CCD, 12x optical zoom and 3 inch flip up LCD. It has enough manual controls to keep the experienced user happy, and has a fully automatic mode where the user is completely restricted from the menu. This is probably to prohibit clumsy or novice users from unintentionally degrading the image. The flip up LCD takes some getting used to, but is a neat and innovative implementation, allowing for a potentially more comfortable recording session. The down sides to the GR-DX97 are its small size and poor low light performance in automatic. The automatic gain control keeps the image bright enough, but the colors are severely distorted and are consequently inaccurately represented. There is a good deal of blur and discoloration on the resolution bars on the chart, and the overall brown hue is not desirable. As for size, the GR-DX97 is a matchbook/vertical style camcorder so I suggest potential buyers get to the store and try it on for size. My pinky and ring finger often slipped past the lens barrel and onto the microphone, which is bad for any recording. Granted, I have large hands. The camcorder is comfortable to hold, but image quality may be compromised by lanky, roaming fingers. All in all, the GR-DX97 has an innovative design, with decent manual control options, adequate audio options, if users want to use an external mic, and overall good video performance. If you got the extra cash, if you like your camcorders small, and you want a somewhat versatile imager, then get to your nearest electronics store and handle one for yourself…before you buy.