JVC Everio GZ-MG21
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"Easy to Use, Not Disks Needed, Small Size" on by jl54
Pros: Size, Nice Screen, Sound on Playback Good
Cons: Assoc software diificult to use, Playback sound on camera lousy
Summary: I bought the camera to film my son and his rock band and for the family. I liked the no disk req'd. Found it very easy to use, produced great video, and the compact size lets's me put it in my coat pocket. Intitial setup was easy though instructions are a little confusing. You get a set for 5 languages, a waste of paper. Zoom is great and focus was always right on. Picture color was realistic and I'm very happy with the camcorder. I'm not too happy with the software included. It's a "lite" version and it has conflicted with other programs, hung, and is difficult to get a disk burned to just a straight DVD format. Upgrading the software is expensive. Support is through a Japanese website and voice support is through Cyberlink for a fee. Support is limited on the software given.
If you're looking for a great little camcorder I would recommend this one, but find another software to use to make DVDs or produce movies with. -
"Great choice if you like to edit on PC" on by M_L_Weiland
Pros: No disks/tapes, image quality, features
Cons: No viewfinder, low-res stills
Summary: Had bought a mini DVD camcorder, thinking that would be an easy way to get video from camera to computer for editing and backup in better than real time like a tape would require. The problem was reliability - as often as not the DVDs failed to write, and I lost some irreplaceable video as a result. So I exchanged the mini DVD and got the Everio. This hard-drive recorder is solid and it's very easy to copy the image files from camera to computer with USB 2.0. The files are MPEGs (though with a ".MOD" suffix, have to rename as .MPG for my editing tools to handle). Both video and stills (640 x 480 max) can go to the hard disk and/or an SD card. Video image quality is excellent -- no compression artifacts like with the mini DVD recorder -- and it will hold 4+ hours at that highest quality setting, Haven't felt a need to try the lower quality settings. The recording capacity TONS better than the 20-60 minutes on a mini DVD. Only quibble so far: no viewfinder, only the LCD screen; in bright light I'd prefer a viewfinder. Do get an extra battery since the disk holds 4+ hours but one battery only will give an hour or so. The CNET review about image stabilization is misleading -- it's fine at medium zoom levels, as good as any other camera. Can't expect IS to give rock-steady pictures hand-held at 33X zoom!
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"Disappointment" on by docism
Pros: No tapes to mess with - Size
Cons: Video quality
Summary: I really had high hopes for this camera. Ive owned a Canon GL2 and a couple of Sony's so Ive seen the quality end of camcorders. I read all the reviews and with so many positive reviews I assumed that the negative reviews were from people that didn't know how to set it up correctly. The video quality isn't even as good as my Panasonic Lumix digital still camera. Its a great concept but the technology isn't quite up to snuff. Ill be returning my JVC tomorrow.
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"Great camcorder, but only if you live your life outdoors." on by lnlester
Pros: Great sound, easy to use, great recording capacity-no disks or tapes to worry about.
Cons: Forget about shooting indoors in normal room lighting. Video is very dark, can't hardly see who people are.
Summary: I bought this camcorder with great expectations. The idea of a camcorder with a hard drive, and a large one at that sounded really good. It was'nt until we tried to watch our sons kindergarten play that we realized that we'd made a big mistake. It was in the school cafeteria, which is not dark, but the video sure was! Back at home, my wife tried panning around the living room, and the picture was so dark. Many things were unrecognizable. The little light on the front puts out less light than my mini-mag lite--MUCH LESS! We are VERY disapointed. As I said before, this is a great camcorder, but only if you live your life OUTDOORS!
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"expensive, with poor battery and hard disc capacity" on by yogiseema
Pros: handy size and easy to operate.
Cons: poor battery life.
cannot be used as a webcam.
files cannot be deleted from the computer(only through the camera).
zippers of camera case of very poor quality.
lens gears got worn out in three months.
spares available a month after placing the order.Summary: a very poor experience
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