JVC GZ-MG505 Camcorder Review

Comparison
JVC GZ-MG77
The GZ-MG77 is the step-down camcorder from JVC’s top of the line GZ-MG505 (Review, Specs, $829.95), and it costs a whopping $400 less with an MSRP of just $900. Is the extra cash worth the price? We think so, for a few reasons. The GZ-MG505 has an external microphone jack, vital if you want to record higher-quality audio. It also has a larger LCD at 2.7” vs. 2.5” and slightly better (if oversaturated) video performance. It also adds a cold shoe for accessories and importantly an SD card slot. The SD card adds flexibility in terms of media options by providing the option of recording to a removable media format. It costs more, but the GZ-MG505 serves up a more compelling set of options than its little sibling.

Sony DCR-SR100
Sony’s $1100 DCR-SR100 is a good HDD camcorder, and we gave it an edge over JVC’s GZ-MG77. The GZ-MG505 fares much better in a head-to-head with the Sony, with slightly better video performance and more overall features. The Sony enters the ring with a large 1/3” CCD, significantly larger than the 1/4.5” CCD on the GZ-MG505, and its video is sharper and brighter in low light. The DCR-SR100 also handles like a classic Sony - it’s easy to use, has an excellent zoom toggle, and like the Everio line, has a proprietary one-touch DVD burn function. JVC’s works with the Share Station while Sony’s works with Vaio computers. The Sony falls short of the JVC in several respects: it offers far less in terms of manual controls, it’s less portable, and it supports only a limited range of Sony microphones through its Active Interface Shoe while the JVC has an external mic jack and accommodates any third party mic. The DCR-SR100 is made for point and shooters, and in EasyCam mode, it performs well, but it can’t match the level of image control available on the GZ-MG505. On balance, the GZ-MG505 comes out ahead but it isn't a knockout.

Canon DC40
The DC40 is Canon’s top-of-the line DVD camcorder, and records to disc, it uses MPEG-2 encoding like the GZ-MG505. It is not as user-friendly as the GZ-MG505 because you’ll need to keep track of DVD media on a shoot, and you’ll be limited to 30 minutes of high-quality recording per disc. Its video performance is comparable to the GZ-MG505 and its still performance is also similar 2304x1736 vs. 2560 x 1920 (with the assistance of pixel shifting) for the GZ-MG505. The chief differences between these camcorders are in media type and cost with the DC 40 retailing for around $900. Overall, we give the GZ-MG505 the edge, but for a several hundred dollars less, the Canon is a strong contender if you’re willing to look at a DVD model.

Panasonic SDR-S150
The SDR-S150 is truly a unique camcorder, following up on last year’s SDR-S100 (Specs, $1199). What sets this little one apart (it is genuinely pocket-sized) is that it records MPEG-2 video only to SD memory cards – and is the only camcorder on the market to adopt this model. The benefits over the GZ-MG505 are two-fold: with no HDD, it is tiny; and with no moving parts, its even more silent than the JVC, and much quieter than camcorders that use more run-of-the-mill removable media like DVD’s. The SDR-S150 also has the considerable manual control capabilities typical of Panasonics and records very good video. The JVC wins in other regards, with an accessory shoe, external mic jack, and the ability to record to both its large HDD as well as SD memory card. But these camcorders are clearly going after different buyers, with the Panasonic appealing to people who want something ultra-compact. With so much to differentiate these camcorders, we have to call this one a draw: The JVC gives you more, but the SDR-S150’s diminutive size and feature set is unparalleled.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (9.0)
JVC’s auto controls are as sufficient compared to most camcorders, so point and shooters could safe record a baseball game without too much trouble. The menus are inviting, so those willing to play around with a few controls should manage.

Budget Consumers (2.0)
Consumers clutching their purse strings might find the $1300 (MSRP) price tag hard to swallow. Though they might be tempted to find a lesser-priced Everio, we would strongly urge them towards any other manufacturer. This is the one and only Everio worth it’s price.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (9.25)
Still shooting is this camcorder’s specialty, and probably the best we’ve seen this year. With a ton of features, resolution up to 2560 x 1920, and outstanding performance, you won’t be disappointed with this hybrid.

Gadget Freaks (4.0)
The HDD as a gadget is waning, as Sony and now Hitachi have joined the fray after JVC struck out alone about 2 years ago. This is JVC’s top of the line, but the new gadgetry is not there. Sorry.

Manual Control Freaks (4.5)
Manual control enthusiasts have Panasonic and JVC as their primary choices in the consumer realm. Panasonic certainly offers more control, including independent shutter and aperture, and full manual gain, while JVC has Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and auto gain on/off. But JVC’s menus are a little easier to navigate. It’s a toss-up, and depends on how much time you like to spend reading the manual before you shoot.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
While this offers a lot of great features for consumers, the video quality just won’t cut it for pros. MPEG2 is too highly compressed and difficult to edit to ever make into the pro realm. Also, pros will likely balk at the oversaturated colors that the GZ-MG505 produces. It’s fine for consumers, but pros looking for a budget back-up should look to higher-end MiniDV camcorders like the Panasonic PV-GS500 (Review, Specs, $1040) and last year’s Canon Optura 60 (Specs, $649.99).

Conclusion
It appears that our hopes, and the hopes of JVC, were more or less fulfilled. Though we found consistently poor image quality in most of the Everio camcorders over the last two years, the GZ-MG505 managed to buck the trend. Video performance looked great, though pros would likely classify this as far too saturated. Consumers want colors that pop, and these pictures pop like a Magnum. Who can blame them for meeting customer demands?

Still performance was superb, a legacy it inherited from its predecessor, the GZ-MC500 (Review, Specs, $669.99). Do we miss the MC500’s removable MicroDrive? Not really, 4GB of space is simply not enough for most users. Trading out footage on a card can be convenient, but the cost of multiple MicroDrives can add up. If you’re already willing to make the sacrifice of an 8.5Mbps speed limit, you might as well opt for the larger capacity of an HDD.

Overall, we still preferred the Sony DCR-SR100, their standard definition HDD camcorder, which had a sharper image and comparable ease of use. What it lacks in manual controls it makes up for with better automatic controls and more accurate color reproduction. The GZ-MG505 is, however, an unquestionable victor over the next Everio down the line, the GZ-MG77. The price jump might give the cash-strapped consumer pause, but the difference in quality between these camcorders is vast. Consider your investments wisely.

Surely the Sony HDR-SR1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99) is also a bulwark that JVC was not expecting. This high definition camcorder uses the new AVCHD format. How does it compare to the GZ-MG505? Well... it's HDD, so people interested in that format will immediately put it in the "maybe pile." It's a Sony, which has outstanding brand recognition. It's only $200 more than the GZ-MG505 (MSRP price), which is a pretty small jump for those already willing to spend over a grand on a camcorder. Finally, it's HIGH DEFINITION! While technical analysts can argue all day over the merits of AVCHD versus H.264 versus HDV versus "name your codec," the truth of it is that people shop by price first, and marketing second. Sony is going to plaster the phrase "high definition" all over that thing. People might not understand it, but they know they want it. Will the GZ-MG505 be able to compete? It will be a tight race, if they can manage it.

Despite the difficult position JVC might have in the market, after a long year of reviewing JVC Everios, we’re glad to see a competitor in the bunch. The GZ-MG505 is definitely worth checking out.