JVC GZ-MG330 Camcorder Review

The JVC Everio GZ-MG330 ($449 MSRP) is a standard definition hard drive camcorder for those seeking a higher capacity than the card-only alternatives. With many of the same internal components as the JVC GZ-MS100, the MG330 follows up with the same excellent performance for a reasonable price.

Every year, there seems to be a wider variety of camcorders to choose from, including the powerhouse high definition performers and the super simple, ultra-compacts like the Flip Mino. Consumers looking at camcorders like the MG330 are probably searching for something that's affordable and easy to use, takes decent video, and has the benefit of high capacity internal memory. The good news for JVC is that the GZ-MG330 fulfills these hopes. Even better, it seems to beat out the competition, has a price tag you can stomach, and comes in three different colors.


The Front (5.5)
The front of the JVC GZ-MG330 holds no big surprises. It is dominated by a 35x optical zoom Konica Minolta lens. The lens carries a 2.2mm - 77mm focal length and aperture range of f/1.8 - f/4.0—both unchanged from JVC's flash memory camcorder, the GZ-MS100. Also identical is the 30.5mm filter, which is the size employed by JVC on their entire standard definition line. The MG330 already has a considerably wide recording angle, but you could always add a polarizing lens filter if you record lots of shiny surfaces or a neutral density filter for bright days among marble monuments or glaciers.

The lens is protected by an integrated lens enclosure, operated manually by a switch on the left side of the camcorder. Above and to the right of the lens is the camcorder sensor (and remote control sensor).

Nestled on the right, below the lens, is the camcorder's LED video light. Like most white LEDs, this one casts a bluish hue. It also isn't particularly strong, so don't expect it to light up your subject with perfect clarity if you're recording in a dark forest or a broom closet. JVC recommends that your subject be within 1.5m (4.9 feet); we recommend you shoot in more well-lit environments. The light can be set to on, auto, or off.

Below the LED light is the camcorder's USB port and built-in stereo microphone. Both are tucked away in good locations: keeping the microphone in front (instead of up top) ensures that your right hand doesn't accidentally scuff and muff the sound, while the USB is unlikely to block recording, even if you're using the MG330 as a webcam.

With the exception of the protruding hard drive, the JVC GZ-MG330 looks just like its SD card cousin.	The switch on the side operates the manual lens enclosure.

The Right Side (5.0)
It makes for a nice change when we get a camcorder that's not black or silver, as most camcorders are today. So, the rich blue model of the JVC GZ-MG330 is a sight for sore eyes, especially after reviewing the Barbie pink Creative Vado. The MG330 does come in a traditional silver model, but also red. JVC has chosen some nice hues, which will likely appeal to consumers that want a more fashionable aesthetic.

The deep blue is especially present on the right side of the camcorder, where the featureless expanse of the hard drive is paramount. Towards the back resides the one small interruption in the surface: the camcorder's AV output. This is a standard AV port (no proprietary ports as heralded by Sony and Canon) with a typical rubber port cover. We find the tethers on covers like these to be flimsy, but they get the job done.

Helping you grip the right side is a padded, adjustable hand strap. It doesn't have the lushness of Canon's mesh-lined hand strap or the aesthetics of Sony's wide leather strap, but it's wide enough and comfortable enough to suit most consumers.

The right side of the GZ-MG330 is the same basic concept as the GZ-MS100, but the result is a more pleasing aesthetic.

The Back (4.25)
The back of the JVC GZ-MG330 has a surprisingly spartan aesthetic: no mode dial (just a small switch), the Record button, DC power input, and the battery cavity. Keeping the back minimalistic is one way that JVC has kept its camcorders so small, while still maintaining the open battery cavity design. (The Canon FS11 and Samsung SC-MX20 have enclosed battery compartments on the bottom of the camcorder, in order to make more room for buttons, switches, and ports on the back.)

The DC power input is covered by another standard rubber port cover with flimsy rubber tether. The switch toggles between just two modes: video and still recording. (Playback mode is entered via a button within the LCD cavity.) Small indicator lights below the switch tell you when the camcorder is charging/turned on or the hard drive is being accessed. The Record button is large and conspicuous, resting easily beneath the thumb.

There's not much to see on the back of the JVC GZ-MG330.

The Left Side (4.5)
The left side of the JVC GZ-MG330 is where most of the action is. With the LCD panel closed, there's more of the same wide expanse of deep blue as we saw elsewhere. Up front is the switch for manually operating the integrated lens enclosure.

In "closed position," the MG330 offers more of that nice field of blue.

Flip open the LCD panel, however, and you'll encounter a plethora of controls and features. On the LCD panel itself are several touch-sensitive controls. On the left is the "laser touch" slider that replaces the up/down functions on joysticks and directional pads. It's also a sliding control for making most manual adjustments, including focus and brightness. Below the screen: OK, three selection buttons, and the menu button. The OK button is essentially the "enter" key, but also toggles the display information on and off. The Menu button enters and exits from the main menu. The selection buttons are context sensitive buttons for selecting options that might appear on the LCD; they're like the buttons on the side of an ATM display. The whole touch system is a surprisingly functional alternative to touch screen and traditional joystick/d-pad navigation. (See Handling.)

JVC's fancy new touch controls.	The LCD cavity has an unusual population.

Inside the LCD, you'll find a number of unconventional buttons. Most notably, there is a button for alternating between Record and Playback modes. Many camcorders include Playback as an option on the mode dial—on the MG330, you can only enter Playback via this LCD cavity button. Above the Play/Rec button is the camcorder's playback speaker. Below the Play/Rec button is a series of three option buttons.

The first option (on the far right of the row) is, essentially, an Easy mode button. It toggles between running the camcorder fully in automatic and allowing access to manual controls. The second option (center button) is for activating the one-touch back-up feature, which uses the JVC software to back up your files onto your computer. When you're not connected to a computer, this button doubles as an Info button, bringing up an impressive display for remaining recording time and battery life. The final button (the leftmost of the three) launches the DVD creator using the JVC software and your PC. Its other function is called "Title," and essentially allows you to add a decorative title placard to a playlist.

The final button within the LCD cavity is the Power button. This is certainly an unorthodox choice, as most camcorders have a switch on the exterior or incorporate power into the mode dial. The JVC GZ-MG330 turns on automatically when you open the LCD and powers down after about five idle minutes. You can also manually turn the camcorder on and off with the power button.

The Top (4.75)
There is very little to see on the top of the JVC GZ-MG330. Some expected features are absent: the microphone is located on the front of the camcorder and there is no accessory shoe. Instead, you'll find another glossy blue (or silver or red) surface and a small chrome detail surrounding the zoom toggle and still photo button. The zoom toggle can be using while recording and in playback mode as well. The AV output wraps up from the right side.

Noticably absent from the top surface of the MG330 is some kind of grip or finger rest. Fortunately, it's easy to either wrap your fingers across the entire top surface or use the edge of the hard drive to aid your grip.

A glossy smooth sea of blue is the main ingredient on the top of the MG330.

The Bottom
The bottom is home to the GZ-MG330's battery release switch and a tripod mount. But it's also where you'll find the microSD/SDHC memory card slot. You can record both video and stills to the 30GB internal hard drive, so the card slot is really just a bonus. If you want to record something small and hand it off to a friend, this will make it a lot easier.

The bottom of the JVC GZ-MG330: tripod mount, microSD/SDHC card slot, battery release.