JVC Makes the Everio GZ-HD3 Official

Key features on the new GZ-MG3 include a mic input, a 10x optical zoom, and a 2.8” LCD (207K resolution). The camcorder includes three 1/5” progressive CCDs, each with a gross pixel count of 530,000 (430,000 effective pixels). It will not, however, output progressive footage, only interlaced. Pixel shifting is used to increase total resolution.   

 

The GZ-HD3 records in only one resolution: 1440 x 1080. Three different quality settings correspond to bit rates. Two of the settings use a variable bit rate, meaning that frames with less moving objects in them will record at a slower rate, maximizing recording time. These include XP (26.6 – 30Mbps) and SP (19 – 22Mbps). A third setting, CBR, uses a constant bit rate of 27Mbps and is compatible with HDV file streams. Footage taken in this setting can be outputted through the Firewire connection. The 60GB HDD can record approximately 5 hours of XP, 7 hours of SP, and 5 hours of CBR.

 

The form factor of the GZ-MH3 is small, significantly smaller than the GZ-HD7 (by 27%). It weighs 670g (1.5 lbs.) with the BH-VF815 battery, and measures 82 x 75 x 154mm (3.25” x 3” x 6.125”). Some elements have been retained from the GZ-HD7, including the removable lens hood, the front mounted Focus Assist button, and the joystick on the LCD panel. Unfortunately, the mic jack has been placed in the front, under the lens. Audio wires running out from this port run the risk of getting in the way of a shot.

 

Still photos can be taken in four resolutions: 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. Stills can be shot to SD or SDHC cards. The higher speed SDHC cards are required to record video to a removable media.

 

As the JVC GR-HD3 is a downgrade from the GZ-HD7, some features appear to have been lost. Optical image stabilization has been replaced with a digital system. The GZ-HD3 does not look to have a focus ring. The area where the HD7 had a manual Focus on/off button has been replaced by an LED light on/off button. The GZ-HD3 has, however, retained the Focus Assist button, which we found to be tremendously beneficial in the HD7 by coloring the in-focus part of the shot in either red, green, or blue. Zebra striping has been retained, but the information available does not offer much hope for the Sharpness control or Color Bars. The camcorder will retain Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, but the external buttons to activate them have been lost.

 

The JVC GZ-HD3 includes a 10x Konica Minolta lens, f/1.8 – 2.4, with a focal range of 3.2 – 32mm in video (35mm equiv = 42 – 422mm). The filter diameter measures 46mm. Digital zoom extends to 200x. The shutter speed ranges from 1/2 – 1/4000. Ports on the GZ-HD3 include a mini mic input, HDMI-out, component-out, composite-out, DV (Firewire) -out, S-Video-out, USB 1.1/2.0, DC power, and an SD/SDHC card slot.

Ports. The camcorder automatically down-converts video for the AV-out signal. All the same ports were found on the GZ-HD7. For full comparisons, see this chart.  

 

The JVC GZ-HD will retail for an expected price of $1300 and is expected to begin shipping in early September. More information and a flash presentation of the camcorder can be seen here.