JVC GY-HM100

Introduction

Along with the newly released Panasonic AG-HMC40, the JVC GY-HM100 is one of the smallest pro camcorders on the market. Weighing only 3.1 pounds, the camcorder is an ideal unit for a videographer who desperately needs to save some space. Recording natively progressive video to regular SDHC memory cards using the MPEG-2 codec, the camcorder is nearly as simple and easy to use as many consumer models. The GY-HM100 comes with a 10x optical zoom lens, a detacheable shotgun microphone, and a decent amount of manual controls.  The camcorder also offers a seamless workflow with Final Cut Pro, as it can record video using Apple's MOV file format.

Even with all these perks, the GY-HM100 is not a camcorder that will be cherished by traditional professionals. If you're used to large, shoulder-mounted models, the HM100 may feel like a toy in comparison. The lack of extensive manual controls, as well as the cramped design of the camcorder, will also send many pros looking elsewhere. The GY-HM100 has an MSRP of $3995 and JVC will begin shipping the model in the next few days.