JVC GZ-MG255 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Aug 16, 2007 4:00 PM
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The JVC GZ-MG255 is the middle child in this year’s Everio hard disk drive camcorder line. In the style of classic middle child syndrome, the camcorder sits meekly in the back of the classroom, ignored and forgettable. It’s not that JVC has done anything particularly wrong – the camcorder doesn’t have enough going for it. The good manual control suite is undercut by poor auto mode, the convenience of the HDD medium is undercut by the lackluster image quality. It will certainly have a hard time satisfying a large general audience. Let’s see what worked and what didn’t.
The Front (6.8)
JVC Everios tend to resemble lovable, little R2-D2s. The JVC GZ-MG255 is no exception. The mini HDD droid features a 10x optical zoom lens, with a focal length of 3.8-38mm and bears threads for a 37mm filter. A lens cover switch is located to the right, sliding up to close and down to open. Manual lens enclosures are great because they eliminate the clank factor of a dangling lens cap. In addition, there are no sensitive internal mechanical parts characterized by automatic lens enclosures. The only margin of error lies within one’s own diligence in closing it, which can easily be overlooked while dashing about Epcot. Below the lens lies the built-in stereo microphone, an advantageous placement for a camcorder this compact. Mounting the microphone to the top would only result in hardcore finger muffling, and we don’t want that. To the left of the microphone is the USB terminal, housed by a flimsy little plastic cover that rips out with ease. Along the left side lies the remote sensor and flash.
The Right Side (4.75)
The “no frills” side of the GZ-MG255 consists of only a hand strap and a mode dial. We’ll start with the hand strap. It’s cheap, flimsy, devoid of padding, and uncomfortable—the back of your hand will not thank you at the end of a long shoot. The is mitigated somewhat by the overall light weight of the camcorder. As for the mode dial, well, it’s just like most other Everios—shiny and round. Shifting between modes is relatively simple. Just press the tiny blue tab in and crank the wheel up to power on. Photo mode is activated by shifting the mode dial up once more.
The Back (5.75)
On the back of the GZ-MG255 you’ll find the thin BN-VF808U rechargeable battery pack tucked into a shallow chamber. The GZ-MG255 lacks a viewfinder, so feel free to upgrade to a massive battery. It won’t poke you in the eye. To the right of the battery is the large oval record start/stop button. Toward the bottom you’ll find a feeble plastic strip housing the AV out and DC in terminals. This port cover yanks out just like the USB cap, so tug lightly. Toward the very top is a column of three lamps indicating battery charge status, Video mode, and Photo mode.
The relatively large plot of real estate on the back of the camcorder could have been put to better use with a few of the buttons currently located inside the LDC cavity. Something as critical as the menu button would make more sense in the rear, facing the shooter, than it does on the side.
The Left Side (5.75)
Most of the GZ-MG255’s action takes place on the left side—the consumer’s playground. The 2.7-inch LCD screen hosts an array of features governed by a set of controls located within the LCD panel. To the left of the screen is the battery info, index button, joystick, and function button. The joystick is convenient, but small, and users will experience a reasonable learning curve during preliminary operation.
You’ll find a bounty of buttons within the LCD cavity: select/play/record, auto/info, direct backup/event, direct DVD, and menu. JVC has geared most of their Everios toward point-and-shooters, and the placement of most of their controls within the left side is testament to this. Some of the buttons could have been better placed on the back of the camcorder. Perhaps in their current location they can take advantage of the space and become large, easy to read, easy to touch controls.
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The left side of the GZ-MG255 |
A look behind the LCD |
The Top (4.75)
Ah, the top of an Everio. Like many others, the GZ-MG255’s top side is characterized by a minute zoom toggle and gleaming round photo button. There is no accessory shoe and no flash located here.
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