Image quality in brightly lit situations was very good in our 16:9 test footage, with nice detail and sharpness, accurate color reproduction, and little discernable noise or artifacts. When switching to 4:3 mode, color reproduction remained solid. However, image artifacts, mostly in the form of shimmering along straight edges, became much more noticeable.
In low light, image quality is better than that of many other cameras in the GR-D650's class, thanks to the camera's automatic gain control. This reduces noise significantly in low-light conditions, though it also causes color to lose saturation as well as a noticeable amount of detail. Still, the result is preferable to the grainy images offered by many competing camcorders. Close subjects can be lit by the camera's built-in video light. You can also sacrifice frame rate--and image stabilization--for increased color saturation using the Night-Alive mode.
In bright conditions, the camcorder's 1.2-megapixel stills show accurate color reproduction and enough detail for acceptable quality 4x6 printouts. However, shots in typical nighttime room lighting are extremely grainy.
This no-frills, easy-to-use MiniDV camcorder delivers solid video at a rock-bottom price. If you're looking for a good value on a tight budget, the JVC GR-D650 will do the job.
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