JVC GZ-MG77 Camcorder Review

Comparison
JVC GZ-MG37
The $900 MSRP GZ-MG77 (Review, Specs, $467.95) is a considerably better camcorder than its step-down cousin, the GZ-MG37 with an MSRP of $800, and we think it’s a better value despite the $100 price spread. Both camcorders have a 30GB hard drive, but GZ-MG77 has a larger CCD (1/3.9” vs. 1/6” CCD), a better lens in low light (f1.2 vs. f2.0), and better still resolutions of up to 1632x1224 versus 640x480. It also boasts much better video performance in a package that is equally compact. The only area in which the GZ-MG37 has a clear advantage is in optical zoom, where its 32x trounces the 10x zoom of the GZ-MG77. In all other respects, the GZ-MG77 is the clear winner.

JVC GZ-MG70
The GZ-MG77 shares most of its core features with its 2005 predecessor, the GZ-MG70 but a few things have been changed. This year’s model actually features a smaller CCD (1/3.9” vs. 1/3.4”) but it has a greater number of gross pixels that yielded improved video performance with better color saturation. The GZ-MG77 also features a joystick mounted on the outside edge of the LCD which is a much better menu navigation and manual adjustment tool than the four-way touchpad in the GZ-MG70’s LCD cavity, and it has one-touch DVD burning with the Everio Share Station. All this adds up to another win for the GZ-MG77.

Sony DCR-SR100
Sony’s $1100 DCR-SR100 is an impressive camcorder, and it does surprisingly well for an HDD camcorder in terms of the video quality it delivered. With a 1/3” CCD which is significantly larger than the 1/3.9” CCD on the GZ-MG77, its video was sharper and brighter in low light. It also handled very nicely like a classic Sony. It’s easy to use, has a great zoom toggle, and like the GZ-MG77, has a one-touch DVD burn function that works with Sony Vaio computers. There are a few areas in which the Sony falls short of the JVC, notably in manual controls and portability. The DCR-SR100 is made for point and shoot use, and in Easycam mode, it performed well – but it just doesn’t offer the level of image control available on the GZ-MG77. It is also a larger camcorder that doesn’t fit comfortably in an average-sized pocket. In the end, though, we think Sony has made a better camcorder, as long as you’re willing to deal with its limited manual control feature set.

Canon DC40
The DC40 is Canon’s top-of-the line DVD camcorder, and while it uses a different recording format, it also records using MPEG2 encoding. In terms of handling, it is not as simple to use as the GZ-MG77. You’ll need to keep track of DVD media, and won’t be able to slip it so easily into your pocket. Its video performance was comparable, though slightly better than the JVC while its still performance was the clear winner with a maximum resolution of 2304x1736 vs. the maximum resolution of 1632x1224 for the GZ-MG77. We don’t expect many users on the market who are searching for an ultra-compact camcorder like this JVC to look at a DVD camcorder like the DC40, but the comparison is worthwhile since the two camcorders offer comparable overall performance, use the same compression method, and retail for around $900. Choosing the better camcorder is a toss-up, but for buyers who are looking for something small they will be better off with the GZ-MG77.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (6.5)
The JVC MG-77 is very easy to use in auto mode, and performs well in well-lit shooting environments. However, when the light gets low, performance suffers making Sony’s DCR-SR100 a better overall choice with its very competent auto functionality. Then again, the JVC GZ-MG77 does cost $200 less…

Budget Consumers (2.5)
For the budget consumer, this camcorder probably won’t enter the running with its $900 price tag when MiniDV camcorders offering much better performance are available for a fraction of the price. However, for a HDD camcorder market where there are no low-priced options, the GZ-MG77 may seem like a deal in comparison to Sony’s DCR-SR100.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.0)
The GZ-MG77 is not a bad hybrid camcorder, offering up photos at a respectable if not stellar 1632x1224. But for those who are really looking for a camcorder that can do it all, there are better options including the Canon DC40 DVD camcorder, and JVC’s own impressive GZ-MC500 (Review, Specs, $669.99).

Gadget Freaks (8.0)
This isn’t a bad camcorder for gadget freaks who want a capable HDD model that they can slip into a pocket. The nifty Everio Share Station is a nice add-on that should be attractive to those who want to impress friends or first dates with their own instant copies of the weekend’s exploits.

Manual Control Freaks (4.0)
The manual control freak will find a decent manual control feature set on the JVC GZ-MG77, including gain up, white balance, exposure, focus, and shutter speed. There are many Panasonic camcorders that best this particular JVC in terms of the refinement and flexibility offered by their manual controls, but there are few that can pack so many adjustments into such a tiny package. In the end, however, this group would be advised to look for a camcorder that turns in better performance along with manual adjustability.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
This Everio is a stronger performer than its lower-priced cousins, and it does have a decent manual control feature set, but it is too little too late for the JVC GZ-MG77. Pros and serious hobbyists tend to be concerned with video performance above all else, and MiniDV camcorders like the Panasonic PV-GS500 (Review, Specs, $1040) offer much more for the price. To make matters worse for JVC, Sony has just announced its HDR-SR1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99), an HDV (high definition) HDD camcorder that should put the GZ-MG77 to shame in just about every measure.

Conclusion
The JVC GZ-MG77 may have seen some improvements since last year, but a few minor upgrades and slightly reduced price does not rezone this camcorder into the “pricey, but worth it” neighborhood. We all give credit to JVC for leading the pack on HDD camcorders. They offer great convenience and ease of use, which is clearly the direction digital imaging is headed. But the cost of launching such an effort has prevented them from following through with the means to bulk up supporting elements such as image quality and next-generation innovation.

That’s precisely where Sony has taken over, first with the DCR-SR100 HDD camcorder, which simply walloped the Everios in quality, and then followed it up seven months later with the HDR-SR1, an HDD camcorder utilizing the new high definition format AVCHD.

We haven’t yet seen the top-end Everio, the JVC GZ-MG505 (Review, Specs, $829.95) (don’t worry, it’s on its way), but if history has anything to say about it, the camcorder will still leave us yearning for a Sony. Sorry, JVC.