JVC GZ-MG255 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Aug 16, 2007 4:00 PM
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Comparison
JVC GZ-MG77 (Review, Specs, $467.95)
Last year’s predecessor to the GZ-MG255 (Review, Specs, $359.95)—the GZ-MG77 ($900 MSRP, less than $500 online)—surprised us in the testing room with a near-adequate image in bright light thanks to its 1/3.9-inch chip. In low light, the story was not as sweet, for the GZ-MG77’s image was polluted with noise and saddled with a faded color palette. The GZ-MG255 offers similar bright light performance, yet leapfrogs its older twin in the low light department with a much higher color retention. In terms of construction, both camcorders are essentially the same, only the GZ-MG255 received a video light, rear-mounted mode dial, bulkier zoom toggle, and a function button embedded on the LCD panel. The GZ-MG255 will grace you with improved handling and superior low light performance when pinned against its developmentally-challenged predecessor. The best part is that you can find both camcorders online for nearly the same price. If you can’t spare the green for the step-up GZ-MG255, go for the GZ-MG255.
JVC GZ-MG555 (Review, Specs, $626)
The GZ-MG555 ($899.95 MSRP) is king of the Everio bricks with a whopping 1/2.5-inch CCD that cranks out a stellar bright light image, yet fails to pack a potent punch when it comes to low light. Yes, the GZ-MG555 will trounce the GZ-MG255 when it comes to most well-lit shooting environments, but when it’s time for mood lighting, both camcorders will show little differentiation in terms of image quality. As far as handling goes, the GZ-MG555 is bulkier and sports a cold shoe, old-school program AE dial, and mic jack. Yet are these aforementioned advancements worth the $200 price jack? They’re Everios, people. Unless you long for the high definition GZ-HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529), there’s no real need to blow your dough on a pint-sized point-and-shooter, no matter how cool it looks with its stealthy, all-black style. Keep in mind you still have to use a joystick to make manual controls on the GZ-MG555. Preserve that piggy bank and stick with the GZ-MG255.
Sony DCR-SR62
With a 1/6-inch CCD, maximum still size of 1158 x 864, and limited manual controls, the Sony DCR-SR62 ($650.00 MSRP) is barely a contender. Yes, you’ll be greeted with Sony’s infamous Easy mode and LCD touch screen control—two flaming neon red flags indicating the DCR-SR62’s point-and-shooter status. The GZ-MG255 will offer larger stills, enhanced video performance, and superior manual controls. It’s also smaller, lighter, and utilizes an LCD-mounted joystick. In this race, diehard Sonyites will rabidly cheer on the DCR-SR62 while unsuspecting development dwellers will most likely gravitate toward the GZ-MG255’s cute, charming size and design. In this race, however, the GZ-MG255 snaps the finish line tape by a stride or two. While $50 is not a prodigious financial strain, it would be well-spent in this situation.
Panasonic SDR-H20
Though we haven’t gotten a chance to run the Panasonic SDR-H20 ($599.95 MSRP) through our testing gauntlet, you can expect video performance tantamount to Panasonic’s entry-level DVD camcorders, which is not great. The GZ-MG255 wins in that department. The SDR-H20 does have a rear-mounted joystick and respectable array of manual controls (what Panasonic doesn’t?), in addition to a larger body that equates to better handling. The GZ-MG255 is likely to produce the better looking image. Even though the price tag is $100 more, we’d opt for the GZ-MG255.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
Any Everio beneath the GZ-HD3 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $642.00) is geared toward point-and-shooters. Just watch the demo video. The GZ-MG255’s lack of viewfinder, miniscule size, and direct-to-DVD functionality are definite indicators for this category.
Budget Consumers
At $700, the GZ-MG255 will not appease the wallet of a budget consumer. Even JVC’s base model GZ-MG130 (Review, Specs, $467.95) fails to duck beneath the $500 limbo stick. Therefore, be prepared to shell out the Benjamins for any Everio.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
The still photo set on the GZ-MG255 only boasts a flash and larger image size capacity over the GZ-MG155 (Review, Specs, $477.99) and GZ-MG130. What does that mean? Well, that’s not much of an upgrade for a hundred or two smackers more. The GS-MG255 cannot record video to the SD card—only stills. Hybrid and still photo fans, you are at a loss.
Gadget Freaks
Yawn. Gadget freaks will grow gruelingly bored with the GZ-MG255’s next-to-bare body and lack of cool features.
Manual Control Freaks
It’s not a Panasonic or Canon, but the GZ-MG255 holds its own with a solid offering of manual controls consisting of focus, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance, and other controls
Pros / Serious Hobbyists
A pro will have no use for the GZ-MG255 other than to hurl it at an assistant who gaffed incorrectly (if a GZ-MG255 happens to be lying around).
Conclusion
The JVC GZ-MG255 has some inherent contradictions that make it difficult to recommend for a wide audience. On many levels, it’s a point-and-shoot camcorder. Yet it lacks the most fundamental strength that a point-and-shoot must posses: great auto control. The automatic responses are, in fact, rather weak in some areas. On the plus side, the camcorder is equipped with the great manual controls, but that’s problematic as well. Power users that typically pursue camcorders with a good manual control suite also demand great video performance, and the GZ-MG255 is only capable of a mediocre image quality. The MG255 might best be targeted towards enthusiasts on a budget, or techies that don’t plan on showing their video on large screen TVs. This could be a powerhouse camcorder for web video creators that want to take advantage of real manual controls. But these are niche markets, so step cautiously before purchasing the GZ-MG255. It is very likely not the best camcorder for you.
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