JVC GZ-MG555 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Jun 11, 2007 9:00 AM 
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The specs of the JVC Everio GZ-MG555 give the impression of a mighty camcorder. On the outside, JVC has packed on a host of manual controls, smartly placed and easily accessed. On the inside, the 1/2.5” CCD is among the largest in the consumer market. The 30GB hard drive is commensurate with other HDD camcorders in its price rage. But we have been disappointed by Everios in the past, and take specs sheets with a grain of salt. The truth can only be found by putting it in your hand. That truth: the GZ-MG555 is great for some users, but maybe not the best value in its class.
The Front (7.5)
It’s thunderous, it’s menacing, and it’s staring you right in the face—the GZ-MG555 (Review, Specs, $626)’s beastly lens engulfs the majority of the front end. The juxtaposition of a prodigiously massive lens on such a tiny camcorder is quite a sight. The GZ-MG555’s 10x optical zoom lens has a whopping 46mm filter diameter and focal length of 6.3mm-63mm. JVC is not playing around here. Hiding in the shadows below is the built-in stereo microphone, remaining out of harm’s way. To the left of the lens is a vertical strip containing the LED video light, remote and camera sensors, and flash. At the base of the vertical strip is a flimsy plastic port cover containing a mic input and USB terminal. In order to connect an external microphone, you must plug it into the front of the GZ-MG555 and awkwardly route it all the way up the cold accessory shoe, which is less preferable than side-mounted jacks. The cover is held by two thin plastic strips that could snap off easily with just a cough.
The Right Side (4.0)
Welcome to no man’s land. The right side of an HDD camcorder is generally not very enthralling, and the GZ-MG555 is no exception. So, let’s talk about the hand strap. It feels like something that should be attached to a free flashlight—thin, devoid of proper padding, and constructed with the cheapest plastic materials. It still beats Canon’s Slim Jim of an excuse for a hand strap, but it’s definitely not a cushy Sony. In addition, once you slip your hand into JVC’s top HD model, the GZ-HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529), you’ll experience the difference between consumer handling and luxury consumer handling. The GZ-MG555’s round silver mode dial rests along the back ridge and is operated by the thumb to shift between camera modes.
The Back (6.0)
In back, you’ll notice a rectangular data battery nestled within a relatively shallow cavity. JVC’s data battery is super handy because it allows you to check the status of its capacity, measured by a vertical meter. (Data batteries don’t actually look any different than regular batteries; they just make your life easier.) Since there is no viewfinder, the option to upgrade to a larger battery is a definite possibility. To the right of the battery chamber is a vertical port cover strip housing the AV and DC jacks. Again, this cover is feebly constructed and will even snap off if you challenge it to a staring contest. Diagonally above the aforementioned terminals to the right is the record start/stop button, which is placed a bit low for most hands. You’ll have to make some ergonomic sacrifices with a camcorder this small. Above the record start/stop button is a vertical set of lamps consisting of charge/access, video mode, and camera mode. While we’re in the back here, let’s delve a little deeper to the bottom of the GZ-MG555 (Review, Specs, $626). Here you’ll find an SD card slot covered by a hinged rigid plastic door and the docking station terminal. Yes, this means you’ll have to remove the GZ-MG555 from a tripod in order to swap cards, which is pretty lame.
The Left Side (5.0)
Since the GZ-MG555 (Review, Specs, $626) is smaller than a pillar-sized Yankee Candle (we prefer Sage and Citrus), its 2.7” wide LCD screen occupies most of the left side’s real estate. Once you flip the LCD open, you’ll be greeted by a family of controls embedded within the LCD cavity: select/play/record, telemacro/info, direct back up/event, direct DVD, and menu. This makes sense—the only button you’re going to actively use during shooting is the menu button, so placing these controls within the LCD cavity was not a bad move on JVC’s part. The controls you’re going to use most are located vertically along the left side of the LCD panel: index (battery/HDD info), the joystick, and function. The joystick offers instant control over backlight compensation, light/flash, focus, and night mode. The LCD-mounted joystick is a wee little knob when compared to a circumference-gifted Canon or Panasonic, but it’s more stable and less prone to an accidental selection. Next to the LCD at the end of the lens barrel is the lens cover switch.
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The left side of the JVC GZ-MG555 (left) and the LCD cavity (right) |
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The Top (7.5)
