JVC GZ-MG255 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Aug 16, 2007 4:00 PM
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Still Features (7.75)
The GZ-MG255 records still images to its 30GB HDD or SD cards in the following sizes: 1632 x 1224, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 (4:3 aspect), 1632 x 912, and 1280 x 720 (16:9 aspect). Images can be recorded in either fine or standard quality. Within the Administrative menu you’ll find ISO gain, continuous shooting, and self-timer. ISO gain lets you set the ISO level to auto, 100, or 200, based on the camcorder’s sensitivity in dark environments. Continuous shooting allows you to snap a steady stream of images with 0.3 second intervals between each shot. The self-timer can be set to off, two seconds, or 10 seconds.
The Dc card slot is located on the bottom of the camcorder
The GZ-MG255 is equipped with a flash that is operated via the LCD-mounted joystick and can be set to auto, auto red-eye reduction, constant, constant shutter, or off. When using the flash in Constant Shutter mode, the shutter speed becomes slower as the flash fires so the background of the image can be brightened. When in Photo mode, the Function menu is almost identical to the Video mode Function menu, except the only available image effects are black and white and sepia. In addition, you are required to set the exposure in Manual mode, while in Video mode there is an auto option. Aside from the flash, the quick joystick functions are identical as well—program AEs, BLC, and NightAlive.
Still Performance (6.07)
The still performance of the JVC GZ-MG255 was tested by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the camcorder produced a color error of 9.89. This is certainly not a great score compared even to point-and-shoot cameras, but the score is commensurate with most camcorders, even the more expensive ones. The noise, however, was lower than average, at 0.9275 percent. The saturation measured 113.4 percent. Typically, a camcorder’s auto exposure will skew the color accuracy farther than we like. In order to get the best score for accuracy, we had to lower the exposure by two increments to -0.70EV. Dropping the exposure resulted in a slight boost to noise, but the increase was not noticeably visible.
To the eye, the stills from the JVC GZ-MG255 looked about as good as a low-end point and shoot. The noise was low, but there was significant haloing around contrasty areas. This could spell trouble when shooting subjects against strong backlighting.
Still Resolution (13.11)
The still resolution was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software. This test measures the resolution of the outputted, or final image, in line widths per picture height (lw/ph). At best, the camcorder was able to score a horizontal resolution of approximately 991.5 lw/ph – with a 20.6 percent oversharpening – and a vertical resolution of 597.1 lw/ph – with an 18.4 percent undersharpening.
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