JVC GZ-MG20 review

Verdict:

The GZ-MG20's image quality isn't perfect, but it's supremely easy to use. It's ideal for occasional users, as you could store an entire year's worth of birthday parties or events and transfer them easily to a PC. At this price it's a good buy.

Review Date: 21 Feb 2006

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Our Rating 5 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

We reviewed this model in What's New, Shopper November 2005 and gave it our Best Buy award. We've been using it regularly ever since and still think it's great for casual use.

FEATURES

Hard disk camcorders make a lot of sense if you plan to edit your footage on a computer. Simply plug the GZ-MG20 into any USB2 port and you can drag and drop video to your computer for editing. The camera can store four-and-a-half hours of video at its highest quality setting.

Although it's shaped like a traditional camcorder, the GZ-MG20 is the smallest and lightest device here. The battery lasted for just 65 minutes, but there is space to fit a larger pack.

With no viewfinder you have to use the LCD display to frame shots. It hinges out from the left-hand side, revealing the other controls and the S-video output. A small joypad controls the menu system and playback. Playback is easy, as you can browse through thumbnails of each clip and select the one you want.

PERFORMANCE

Unfortunately the GZ-MG20's video quality is only on a par with the budget MiniDV camcorders. There's little noise, but video appears soft and lacks detail. We could also see compression artefacts around moving objects.

Image stabilisation wasn't very good, and the device's light weight doesn't help, resulting in a jittery picture when the zoom lens is moving. Performance in low light was acceptable, but the built-in light could have been stronger.

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