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207 of 213 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
JVC GZ-MG255 is the best camcorder for low light videos because it has the largest F1.2 lens, April 14, 2007
Length:: 0:11 Mins
Update August 2009: This is still the best.
I have happily owned my JVC GZ-MG255 camcorder since April 2007, and knowing it is the best standard definition camcorder for low light videos.
In 2007, I have compared the three camcorders side by side: JVC GZ-MG255, Sony DCR-SR82, and Sony DCR-SR80. I compared for the ability to videotape in low light or natural night light conditions, and without video lights, and in Automatic mode. The JVC GZ-MG255 is the winner and takes best low light videos because it has the largest F 1.2 lens, and largest 1/4 inch CCD. I still have the videos to prove this.
The bad news is that the JVC GZ-MG255 are no longer made any more due to high cost, and low profit margin, and are hard to find.
Sony DCR-SR80 has smaller F1.8 lens, and the CCD is smaller 1/5.5 inch, 1 MP Gross Pixels, 0.690 MP Effective Pixels. Bright light videos were okay, but the low light videos were poor, and grainy, and I returned for refund in 2007.
Sony DCR-SR82 has smaller F1.8 lens, and the CCD is smaller 1/6 inch, 1 MP Gross Pixels, 0.690 MP Effective Pixels. Bright light videos were okay, but the light videos were poor, and grainly, and I returned for refund in 2007.
JVC GZ-MG255 has largest F1.2 lens, and the CCD is the largest 1/4 inch, and 2.18 MP Gross Pixels, 1.23 MP Effective Pixels. Bright light videos are great, and low light videos are the best. I still enjoy using my JVC GZ-MG255 to record in low light (and in fact, I bought two JVC GZ-MG255 while prices were low, and since they are now out of stock).
This is a short video clip from my JVC GZ-MG255 camcorder that I took in April 2007 at a dimly lighted nightclub at closing time, and this is a great low light video. The camcorder setting is Full Automatic (I am not using the "Night Alive" nor any other Manual settings.) The back wall is a full width mirror and is reflecting and showing a small TV screen on left side, and the main entrance door. (Note: My original of this video actually looks better and is clear and sharp; however Amazon condensed this video to 1/10 the original size, and therefore the quality is lower.)
I rank my JVC GZ-MG255 camcorder as #1 and the best because it takes great low light videos due to its largest F 1.2 lens, and large 1/4 inch CCD. Here below is a comparision of 20 other camcorders,
My Rank # 1: Best, Superior Low Light Performance.
-- JVC GZ-MG255: Zoom 10X. F1.2 lens; 1/4 inch CCD, Effective 1.23 MP = 1280x960, (Gross 2.18 MP).
Rank # 2:
-- Sony DCR-SR200: Zoom 10X. F1.8 lens; 1/3" CMOS, Effective 1.08 MP = 1200x900, (Gross 2.1 MP).
Rank # 3:
-- Panasonic SDR-H200: Zoom 10X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" Three-CCDs, Effective 0.64 MP X 3CCDs, (Gross 0.80 MP X 3CCD).
Rank # 4:
-- JVC GZ-MG155: Zoom 32X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 690KP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR85: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6 inch CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR65: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR82: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR62: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR80: Zoom 12X. F1.8 lens; 1/5.5" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR60: Zoom 12X. F1.8 lens; 1/5.5" CCD, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720, (Gross 1.07 MP).
Rank # 5:
-- JVC GZ-MG365: Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- JVC GZ-MG360: Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- JVC GZ-MG335: Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- JVC GZ-MG330: Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- Panasonic SDR-H18: Zoom 32X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR45: Zoom 40X. F1.8 lens; 1/8" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR42: Zoom 40X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- Sony DCR-SR40: Zoom 20X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
Rank # 6:
-- JVC GZ-MG130: Zoom 34X. F2.0 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.68 MP).
-- Panasonic SDR-H60: Zoom 50X. F2.0 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.40 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.80 MP).
-- Panasonic SDR-H40: Zoom 42X. F1.9 lens; 1/6" CCD, Effective 0.40 MP = 640x480, (Gross 0.80 MP).
My footnotes for these Technical Specifications Facts:
1) "Effective MP" is an industry "standard" used for comparision; and is the actual pixels through lens for recording.
2) For fair comparison, only listed "Effective MP" for 4:3 Aspect Ratio. ( And not 16:9 Aspect. )
3) "MP" = Mega Pixels = 1,000,000 pixels = 1,000 Kilo Pixels (KP).
4) "Gross MP" is total pixels on CCD sensor, but all used for lens recording, and should not be used for standard comparisons.
5) F1.2 lens is larger aperture hole than F1.8 lens. F1.2 lens captures two times the light than F1.8 lens.
6) Only comparing video recording in full "Automatic" mode; and not using any "Manual" or "low light" settings.
7) Only comparing mid-priced hard disk drive camcorders in "Standard Definition"; and not comparing "High Definition".
8) For equal comparisons, I am only listing "Optical" Zoom; and not "Digital" Zoom.
9) I researched these facts from the Internet and User Manuals, and I challenge anyone to find any errors.
Zoom: Do not get fooled by the manufacturer's current optical zoom "game" or "contest". Manufacturers are now making new camcorders with the highest optical zoom. For Low Light Performance, a zoom "bigger" is NOT "better". A lower zoom 10X means better Low Light Performance, and more complex lens, and more expensive lens. The higher zoom 25X, 34X, 40X means poorer Low Light Performance, less complex lens, and less expensive lens. Probably a rule of thumb, is that the higher the zoom, then the lower lens complexity, and the poorer Low Light Performance. Also, "zoom" is not a same "standard" for all camcorders; zoom is the ratio of the lowest focal length ("wide" setting) and the highest focal length (at highest zoom), and is like comparing "apple" and "oranges" for different camcorders models. The better, more expensive, camcorders will have 10X zoom (and that is fine with me).
JVC GZ-MG255 GOOD THINGS ( Pluses + ):
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has the largest F1.2 lens which captures two times more light than the other smaller F1.8 camcorders, and larger 1/4 inch, 2.1 MP CCD for great low light video recordings.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 comes with a Remote Control (size 3 1/2 x 1 5/8 inches) can: 1) Turn Record On and Off; 2) Zoom Video; 3) Snap Still photos; 4) Video Play, Pause, Forward, Reverse.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 videos tracks and audio tracks are exactly synchronized.
+ I like my JVC GZ-MG255 "Stick Control" better than the Sony DCR-SR80 / DCR-SR82 "Touch Screen".
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a USB jack built into the front of the camcorder, and that is always 100% accessible, and also a USB jack on the docking station. (The Panasonic SDR-H18/H200 USB jack is hidden under its battery, and its battery must be removed to connect USB.) (The Sony DCR-SR80/SR82 do not have a USB jack on the camcorder, but is only on the docking station.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a built-in manual internal sliding lens cover. Also, I purchased and use an extra external snap-in lens cover, as extra protection.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 takes good 2 MP still pictures. (The Sony DCR-SR80/SR82 takes lower resolution 1 MP still pictures.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a built-in great very bright white light Flash for taking still pictures. And with a 10 second Flash self-timer. (The Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not have a built-in Flash for still pictures.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 also can use SD/SDHC 4 GB memory cards to record BOTH videos AND still pictures. (Sony DCR-SR82 can use a Memory Stick Duo card to record still pictures, but CAN NOT record videos. The Sony DCR-SR80 can not use any memory card.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has "Quick Re-Start" which turns on camcorder in one second when the LCD is re-opened.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has great low light manual feature setting called "Night Alive" which increases brightness of low light videos. Note: This GZ-MG255 review is based on using the full "Auto" mode for low light recording which turns "Night Alive" off; I do not use "Night Alive" for low light recording since the "Auto" mode is good enough for low light video recording, and is more "natural".
+ JVC GZ-MG255 comes with a convenient neck strap, to help minimize accidental dropping. (The Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not come with a neck strap.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has Firewire (aka, i-Link, IE-1394) jack on the JVC Docking station. (Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not have Firewire jack.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has "Analog Input", which can input and record your old VHS tapes into the camcorder, and turn them into digital format files.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has 10X optical zoom. And 40X and 300X digital zoom, and I am satisfied with my JVC optical and digital zoom quality. The Sony 12X DCR-SR80 and 25X SR82 has higher optical zooms. However, I like my JVC GZ-MG255 better due to its better low light video recordings.
+ Why the lower JVC 10X versus the higher Sony 12X/25X optical zoom? Answer: the JVC has larger F1.2 lens which only...
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87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent camera with just a few flaws, May 24, 2007
Let's start off with the good.
GOOD
----
1) Easy to use. The learning curve for the menus and actual operation is pretty shallow. 15-20 minutes tops.
2) Solid AV quality.
3) Compact and sturdy construction.
4) Joystick-based menu controller. None of the fears of LCD breaking that's associated with touch screens.
5) Easy to download any video files to your PC, with or without the software
6) Included Dock
7) Still camera flash
8) MOD video files are simply renamed MPGs, which makes editing easy as pie.
9) Lots of space to record
10) Built-in USB
11) No recorded noise (that I could detect) coming from either the HDD or the zoom.
12) 16:9 widescreen recording. Great feature to have access to even if its not hi-def.
An now for the bad...
BAD
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1) Included battery only lasts 1hr 15min. You'll definitely need to shell out $150-$200 more for a longer lasting battery and a separate charger.
2) Flash for stills, but no persistent light for video.
3) Low light shooting enhancements come at a price, mainly aperture speed.
4) No viewfinder.
5) MOD files have a small bug that improperly sets the 16:9 flag. The widescreen tag can be easily fixed by a free 3rd party tool though.
6) Placement of the power knob makes turning the unit on or off awkward. The problem stems from an inset push button lock in the knob. Simultaneously pushing the lock and turning the knob is usually best done with your free hand. It's just easier that way.
7) Somewhat flimsy feeling to the AC adapter.
8) Digital zoom is pretty much a waste of time. Compared to the optical, why bother? Way too grainy and over-processed. Then again, what would you expect from digital zoom?
9) Image stabilization for handheld shooting could be better. The jumping becomes more noticeable as you zoom in. A good tripod or monopod is a must.
10) 10x optical zoom is nice, but some people might wish for more - without investing in a telephoto lense.
11) It's small. REALLY small. Almost toy-like in size actually. Imagine stacking 3 or 4 iPods. =) Some newbies might be scared of breaking it, even if it is quite sturdy feeling.
12) Only 1 CCD.
With as many drawbacks as I mentioned, you'd think I'd rate the camera lower. Nah. It's a good product. The drawbacks are relatively small and easily forgiven in the grand scheme.
As far as price is concerned, for what you do get, the GZMG255 is actually worth the full list price of $700. So, at the sub-$550 price that many resellers are charging, the GZMG255 is a steal.
Not a pro camera, but definitely not a budget camera either. Spec-wise, it performs nicely in the mid-range. If this is your first camcorder then you could do far worse than the GZMG255.
One particular online review (cnet) was harsh on this camera (6.4/10). I firmly disagree. The GZMG255 is not meant to be a pro-level camera and shouldn't be judged by those standards. Based on a simple price to feature ratio, I'd give it a solid 4/5 (8/10 on their scale.) I might even give it a 4.5/5 or 8.5/10 based solely on practical use.
The GZMG255 offers a high degree of bang for the buck, more so at the recently discounted prices. Not an average cam.
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39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mac Users Rejoice, June 3, 2007
Although missing from the product description, this camera (via the included dock) has Firewire. So I got a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable, hooked up to my Mac, and iMovie instantly recognized the camera and imported the clips. No conversion or intermediate steps required. This capability also comes standard with the GZMG155, but the 255 has superior resolution and a flash instead of the light. I started with the GZMG130, but the still camera was worthless. The 255 has great capability for video and stills. The USB port is still available for file transfer, and iPhoto opens right up when you connect.
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