JVC GZ-MG155 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Oct 3, 2007 5:00 PM
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Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (4.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 showed modest results in automatic responses to changing conditions. The auto white balance tended to warm the picture. This is generally flattering to skin tones, but skews colors away from where they should be. The auto exposure adjustments are very fast, usually taking no longer than two seconds. This is great for some users, but too fast for those attempting a filmic look. Unfortunately, only pro camcorders offer the ability to alter the response times of auto controls.
The GZ-MG155 offers a number of one-touch corrections, though using them can be confusing. The controls are activated through a touch of the joystick, and keeping them all straight in your head is tricky. Here’s the rundown:
Pushing the joystick left activates the Scene modes menu. Scene modes include Sports, Snow, Spotlight, and Twilight. Pushing the joystick down once turns on the LED video light. Pushing it down a second time activates the Auto LED light, which will turn on only when it’s dark. Push the joystick down a third time to force the LED off.
Push the joystick left once to activate NightAlive. This feature allows the shutter to drop as low 1/2 a second in low light. For most practical shooting, this is far too slow a shutter and will result in serious motion blur. You’re better off using the manual shutter control. Push the joystick left again to turn it off.
The Scene Mode menu
Push the joystick up once to activate the Backlight Compensation, which boosts overall exposure when a subject is too strongly backlit. Push the joystick up again and Backlight Compensation will shut off, and Spot Metering will activate. This tool creates a small red target area in the center of the screen. The target can be moved across a horizontal axis in the center, left, or right side of the screen. Whatever subject is in that target becomes the measure of auto exposure. Push up once more to exit Spot Metering.
The mode dial is used to turn the power
Overall Manual Control (4.85)
on and off, and to switch between video
and still modes
The manual controls on most JVCs, even the lower-end models, are good. When it comes to HDD camcorders, JVC exceeds Sony in the number of control options, though not by a lot. They share manual exposure, focus, Scene modes, and tele macro, but JVC adds Shutter Priority and Auto Gain Control on/off. Sony, on the other hand, offers better ease of use and automatic responses, and more one-touch correction tools.
Most interfacing with the menu and controls is performed with the joystick, mounted on the left side of the LCD panel. After playing with camcorders for several years, we’re certain that joysticks are the optimal choice for consumers. Directional pads are typically placed in awkward spots that don’t face the shooter, and touch screens get dirty and can be unresponsive unless the screen size is very large. Rear-mounted joysticks, when properly designed, are the best because they allow one-handed shooting. The LCD-mounted joystick on the GZ-MG155 holds up nicely. It’s common practice to hold a camcorder with two hands – essential when the stabilization is problematic, as it is here. The joystick is small, but has a smooth, responsive action.
One of the challenges when engaging manual controls is that the menu graphics take up a huge portion of the screen, obscuring the image you’re trying to adjust. A subtler approach would be appreciated in future models.
Zoom (6.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 zoom toggle is located on top near the right-rear, designed for use with the forefinger. It’s a slightly raised plastic nubbin that feels cheap in the hand. Slow, controlled zooms are difficult because there isn’t a consistently slow speed through the zoom range. From 1x to 3x, you can get a snail’s crawl. Then it speeds up from 4x to about 8x, and from there it speeds up very quickly to its full 32x. If JVC is going to offer such a large zoom, it would be nice to have full control over the speed.
JVC is thoughtful enough to provide a zoom progress bar to indicate where in the zoom range you are, as well as the actual numerical value of the zoom. You’d be amazed how many camcorders skimp on this useful information.
Zoom Power Ratio (32.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 features a hefty 32x optical zoom. Big zoom numbers like this are common in lower-end camcorders, where manufacturers often engage in number wars. Who has the biggest zoom? 32x! Ooh, ahh! The fact is a zoom is only as good as the accompanying image stabilization. Any handheld shots past 5x-6x are going to be very shaky, particularly on this camcorder. If you have any intention of using the 32x zoom, you’ll need a tripod or a flat surface, and probably a surveillance warrant for the window you’re shooting into.
The digital zoom can be set to extend to 64x (twice the optical zoom) or 800x. If 32x isn’t getting you close enough, you should actually stand up and walk closer to your subject before bothering with the digital zoom. The picture quality is low enough without digitally distorting the image. If you absolutely have to use digital zoom, leave it at 64x.
Focus (4.0)
The manual focus is engaged via the Function menu. Once activated, a tiny icon appears at the bottom of the screen. Look at the image on the screen and toggle the joystick left and right until the image is in focus. What’s that? You can’t tell if it’s in focus or not because the screen is too small and the resolution is too low? Yeah, we had that problem, too.
Like most standard definition consumer camcorders, the GZ-MG155’s manual focus is the worst, most useless control on board. Unless you’re focusing on large, high contrast objects, there is little chance of you perfecting the focus with your eyes alone. You’re better off letting the auto focus do its job. It’s a shame that the peaking function from the high definition Everios wasn’t carried down the entire line. This throws a color cast on areas of the shot that are in focus, helping tremendously with manual adjustments.
Exposure & Aperture (6.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 comes equipped with an exposure tool called Brightness, located in the Function menu. It ranges from +6 to -6. The interface is very simple and practical. It makes the image brighter or darker; what more needs to be said? For beginners, this is the right tool to start with.
All models above the GZ-MG155 in the Everio line offer an Aperture Priority mode. Why they left this off the GZ-MG155 and GZ-MG130 is a mystery. It couldn’t cost anything extra, so it’s likely one of those arbitrary features they use to make distinctions between models.
The Exposure tool in action
Shutter Speed (6.8)
Though there is no Aperture Priority mode, all Everios this year offer Shutter Priority. The control is located in the Function menu. Settings include 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, and 1/4000 of a second. This presents a healthy range of options for most shooting situations.
Most Canons offer an Aperture Priority mode. All Panasonics have independent shutter and aperture. Conversely, no standard definition consumer camcorders from Sony have shutter control.
White Balance (5.75)
The white balance options are also located in the Function menu. The list is good – not as good as some Canons, but better than Panasonic and Sony. Settings include Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, and Halogen. A second indoor setting would have made sense, as most homes are lit with incandescent lights, rather than halogen.
Making a manual adjustment on the GZ-MG155 is slightly more confusing than on most camcorders. It seems that sometimes you’ll hit a button and think you’ve made the adjustment, but nothing happens. Then you hit the button again and you’re returned to the top level of the Function menu. Wait until the “manual” icon starts blinking; then you know you’ve got it.
The White Balance tools in action
Gain (1.0)
JVC does not allow you to adjust the gain manually, but you can turn the Auto Gain Control (AGC) on or off. This offers a small measure of protection against noise. It’s not much, certainly, but there are times when it can prove useful.
Other Manual Controls (1.0)
Tele Macro - The JVC GZ-MG155 offers a tele macro feature designed to help shoot small objects in large detail. Our testing found it did not seem to have much of an impact.
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