JVC GZ-MG555 First Impressions Camcorder Review

The GZ-MG555 has a 16:9, 2.7 inch LCD screen as its only monitoring device and the lack of a viewfinder does make conserving battery power and overcoming solarization of the LCD an impossible feat. The external controls on the camcorder body were well sized and spaced for the most part but some users may find the joystick control too small to really allow for considered and articulate adjustments. Additionally the labeling for the joystick and the mode dial was inadequate and constricted. With no on-screen text information provided when switching between shooting modes it was up to the user to decipher what each icon was meant to indicate.

The camcorder has manual controls over focus, shutter, aperture, exposure, white balance and gain when shooting video mode as well as when shooting in the still image more (where gain becomes ISO). Noise was definitely present in the still image examples being shown by JVC at their booth and it seems that this camera has some work to do before the still image capabilities are comparable to the video mode. Other still image setbacks include the poorly placed in-camera flash and an even worse placement of the SD/SDHC memory card slot on the bottom of the camcorder directly beside the tripod mount.

With prior Everio models performing with sporadic success and failure in equal amounts, it’s anyone’s guess about how the JVC GZ-MG555 will perform when run through our tests at camcorderinfo.com to gauge video and low light performance, but we have our hopes up. The improvements over last year center on performance, and at least some of that is bound to pay off. Priced with an MSRP of $899, the GZ-MG555 is a compelling addition to the hybrid camcorder market and shows both marked improvement and areas where further development and design could be advantageous for both image quality and functionality.