JVC GZ-HD3 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 17, 2007 5:35 PM
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Ease of Use (7.25)
For the average point-and-shooter, the GZ-HD3 should be a cakewalk compared to its big bad brother, the GZ-HD7—as long as the GZ-HD3 is kept in Auto mode. The GZ-HD7 features dedicated aperture and shutter priority buttons that function in tandem with a jog wheel that adjusts their parameters. It also utilizes a manual focus ring and extendable rubberized viewfinder. Though the GZ-HD3 borrows its stealthy style from the GZ-HD7, it is more closely related to the GZ-MG555 in terms of user friendliness. Aside from the Focus Assist button, there are no advanced external features to be found on the GZ-HD3. Just turn the camcorder on and shoot away.
However, the GZ-HD3 is not entirely consumer—Sony holds the title in pretty much every price range, thanks to its Easy mode and touch screen interface. The GZ-HD3 will require the shooter to actually move a muscle now and again. Take auto gain control (AGC), for example. Despite whether you’re in Auto or Manual mode, you have to manually set AGC to either on or off. Point-and-shooters are up a creek without a paddle if the AGC is off and they are not acclimated to the menu structure. Many soccer moms and tee ball dads will be drifting around aimlessly, wondering why the LCD screen is so dark—these are the last people on Earth who would know what AGC is.
Luckily, the GZ-HD3’s menu is easy to access and navigate. The options are laid out in an intuitive, organized structure. Visually, the GZ-HD3’s menu is strikingly similar to the Sony HC7’s. The Canon HV20 features a menu structure that is more advanced and difficult to operate for a novice due to its scattered options and more extensive manual controls. The GZ-HD3 has a function button mounted right below the joystick for quick adjustments. While Sony’s touch screen menu will appease those who like to cut corners, the GZ-HD3’s joystick offers superior manual control adjustment—though nothing beats a Panasonic.
The GZ-HD3 records video and stills to a 60GB HDD or SD card—the two quickest forms of media in the market. You don’t have to worry about tapes or DVDs—just connect the GZ-HD3 to a computer and send over the files. But be warned: this is not a swift process. Files are outputted in the vexing .TOD file format. You can use the supplied PowerProducer and PowerDirector software to import them, but a lot of other softwares won’t accept the files. The included software has a lot of the necessary tools, but it’s slower than molasses in winter. This seems to negate the inherent ease of use factor of an HDD camcorder.
Handling (6.6)
Architecturally, the GZ-HD3 is a solid warrior, and as second in command to the GZ-HD7, it should be. In hand, the GZ-HD3 feels like a boat compared to the Canon HV20 and Sony HDR-HC7. It’s larger, bulkier, and features a superior construction, melding together machined aluminum and an array of different high-quality plastics. We’re not in standard definition Everio Land anymore—JVC means business. The GZ-HD7 was a delight to shoot with. Despite its formidable weight and size, the GZ-HD7 felt balanced and ergonomically sound. The GZ-HD3 has received much of the GZ-HD7’s better design elements. However, some key comfort features were lost.
Take the hand strap, for instance. The GZ-HD7 is equipped with a wide, padded strap with a super soft panel along the inside designed to pamper the back of the hand. The Sony HDR-SR7 and Panasonic HDC-SD5 both feature unique straps with ample padding and a sound design. Enter the GZ-HD3. Its hand strap is identical to that of any standard definition Everio, constructed of unpadded, chafe-prone, rigid nylon. On a 95-degree day, the back of your hand will be in a bit of a tight spot. Despite the hand strap’s cheap construction, it gets the job done. The hand strap is anchored adequately along the right and left sides of the GZ-HD3’s right side, eliminating the camcorder’s tendency to flop to the side like most upright models.
Once you slide your hand into the GZ-HD3, you’ll notice how well everything fits. A series of subtle finger grooves rests along the top of the HDD enclosure. These grooves are designated for the middle, ring, and pinky fingers, and oddly enough, you’ll find your fingers gravitating to their exact location. The index finger rests just above the zoom toggle and the thumb hovers right above the record start/stop button. This is the major differentiation between the GZ-HD3 and the GZ-MG555. The GZ-MG555 feels stunted and cluttered while the GZ-HD3 provides plenty of real estate.
Like the GZ-HD7, JVC skimped on the GZ-HD3’s zoom toggle, as well. While the level of control it offers relative to its size is impressive, the tiny toggle may be too small for some hands. The Canon HG10 features a prosumer-like rocking zoom lever that offers superior control over any camcorder within its price range. In addition, there is no viewfinder, placing a strain on the GZ-HD3’s 2.8-inch LCD screen. The GZ-HD7, Canon HG10, and Sony HDR-HC7 all feature extendable viewfinders. Though the GZ-HD3 is a tank, its port covers could use an overhaul. Thin plastic straps will not withstand the tides of time.
JVC chose to outfit the GZ-HD3 with an LCD-mounted joystick. JVC is all about the consumer, and the joystick is testament. Most people will hold the GZ-HD3 with two hands because of this design. All in all, it’s relatively convenient. Making manual control adjustments is a lot easier with the joystick than a smudge-ridden touch screen LCD. For those who like to keep a hand free, Panasonics and Canons feature rear-mounted joysticks.
Menu (6.5)
The GZ-HD3’s menu is identical to that of JVC’s entire Everio line. Options are organized well and the interface is easy to navigate through via the joystick. A separate Function menu button is located within the LCD panel and the administrative menu button is embedded within the LCD cavity. The Administrative menu is identical in video and photo mode and selected options will apply in either mode.
Pressing the menu button cues the Administrative menu. Here you’ll be greeted by a stylish blue screen with a column of icons located on the left side. The icons represent Video, Image, General, Output Setting, and Media. Once you have landed upon a desired icon, shift the joystick to the right. A scrollable subset of options is located to the right of the icon list. You can now scroll though particular options that apply to the icon you selected.
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The Administrative Menu. (Clock-wise from upper left): |
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The Video submenu consists of Quality, Zoom, DIS, Gain up (AGC), Wind cut, Record media for Video, Scene counter, and External mic level. The Image submenu contains options for still photos: Quality, Image size, Gain (ISO), Continuous shooting, Self-timer, and Record media for image. In the General submenu, you’ll find Language, Clock adjust, Date display style, Date/time, Present, Bright, Drop detection, Focus assist, Remote, Demo mode, Operation sound, Display, and Display on TV. The Output Settings submenu encompasses Video/s output, Component output, HDMI output, HDMI color settings, HDMI enhance setting, and i.Link output. The Media submenu is composed of Clean-up HDD, Format HDD, Format SD card, Delete data on HDD, Video number reset, and image number reset.
The Function Menu
Pressing the function button cues the Function menu, which can only be accessed when the GZ-HD3 is in Manual mode. A gray box appears on the right side of the screen, offering the following options: Adjust Brightness (exposure), Shutter Speed, Aperture Priority, White Balance, Effect, Tele Macro, Zebra, and Custom Setting. Custom Setting consists of sharpness and color bar options. In order to select an option, shift the joystick to the right. A smaller rectangular box will appear, allowing you engage a particular automatic or manual control.
Portability (6.0)
Whether you’re on the road, in the subway, or high in the sky, the GZ-HD3 will at least travel durably. This thing’s built like a miniature tank. This is a not an ultra compact by any stretch. The GZ-HD3 measures 82 x 75 x 154mm (3.25 x 3 x 6.125 inches) and tips the scale at 670 grams (1.5 pounds). While this is smaller than the GZ-HD7, it’s wider, longer, and 25 percent heavier than the Canon HV20. This means you won’t be able to fit it in a pocket or purse—maybe an extra-large cargo pant pocket. You’ll definitely need a decent size camera bag to protect the GZ-HD3’s body. Just remember to click that lens cover closed! Scratches are forever. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about extra tapes or DVD discs to add to the chaos in your camera bag. Cables, chargers, and extra batteries are enough. By the way, we do recommend a backup battery with the largest capacity available. The BN-VF823 offers three times the capacity of the GZ-HD3’s included BN-VF815U pack. During a long day of shooting, the GZ-HD3’s 60GB HDD will offer a whopping five hours of continuous record time in the highest quality (XP).
LCD and Viewfinder (5.2)
The GZ-HD3 is equipped with a 2.8-inch color LCD screen with a resolution of 270,000 pixels. The screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. This is the GZ-HD3’s only monitor, and it delivers a crisp, accurate picture. Along the left side of the LCD panel you’ll find a vertical strip of controls that consist of the battery/index button, joystick, and function button. The brightness of the LCD screen can be controlled from within the Function menu via a horizontal slider that appears onscreen.
Like all other Everios, including the GZ-HD7, the GZ-HD3 is geared toward two-handed shooting. This is made strikingly apparent by the GZ-HD3’s lack of a viewfinder, characteristic of JVC’s entire standard definition Everio lineup.
Battery Life (9.2)
We tested the life of the GZ-HD3’s BN-VF815U battery pack by setting the camcorder to Manual mode, turning off DIS, and recording continuously with the LCD flipped out until the GZ-HD3 ran out of juice. The GZ-HD3’s battery lasted 91 minutes and 46 seconds (1 hour, 31 minutes, and 46 seconds). This is a relatively average performance. The GZ-HD7 lasted a total of 76 minutes and 40 seconds. However, the Canon HV20 boasts a battery life of 113 minutes and 22 seconds. The Canon HG10 lasted 109 minutes and the Sony HDR-CX7 lasted 101 minutes.
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