JVC Picsio GC-FM1 (blue)
Starting at: $50.49
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Nice size; macro mode; electronic image stabilization; takes SDHC cards.
The bad: Garish-looking design with hard-to-use buttons; lame software.
The bottom line: The JVC GC-FM1's impractical design and poor software hobble an otherwise competent mini camcorder competitor.
When jumping into a crowded market, especially one with a couple of strong players in the lead, a company has to work hard to distinguish its entries from the field. JVC successfully manages that with its debut product, the Picsio GC-FM1--unfortunately, not often in a good way.
On sight, you'd certainly never confuse this mini camcorder with comparably priced competitors like the sleek, first-generation Flip MinoHD or the bulky but top-notch Kodak Zi8. Though it comes in three attractive colors--deep purple, royal blue, and black--and an almost perfect size (a bit thicker than ... Expand full review
When jumping into a crowded market, especially one with a couple of strong players in the lead, a company has to work hard to distinguish its entries from the field. JVC successfully manages that with its debut product, the Picsio GC-FM1--unfortunately, not often in a good way.
On sight, you'd certainly never confuse this mini camcorder with comparably priced competitors like the sleek, first-generation Flip MinoHD or the bulky but top-notch Kodak Zi8. Though it comes in three attractive colors--deep purple, royal blue, and black--and an almost perfect size (a bit thicker than but otherwise smaller and about as light as a BlackBerry Pearl), its shiny faceted plastic face and wavy chrome-colored accent strip are about as sparkly as you can get without actually going the Swarovski-encrusted route. And while testing it in the park, I thought I had developed some magic squirrel-whispering powers until I realized that it was the camcorder that they were climbing the fence to see. Adult humans were less impressed, based on my casual office survey.
The wavy silver sort of camouflages the exposed USB, miniHDMI, and composite video jacks on one side and the macro switch on the other. Unlike many competitors, the FM1 doesn't have a built-in USB connector, though it includes a cable; nor does it bundle an HDMI cable like the Zi8. On the bottom is a tripod socket, hand strap connector, and a door covering the SD card slot and built-in battery.
The back--the side with the 2-inch LCD screen and buttons-- is quite attractively designed, but the controls are horribly annoying; they're too flat with no travel or feedback. You have to press the tiny power button with your nail, and there's always a pause before it registers so you're not sure if you have to press it again. With the four-way switch you control the digital zoom (never use it) as well as cycle through the different resolutions. The latter is incredibly frustrating. You press, hard because you don't feel anything, and nothing happens. Press and nothing happens. Press and nothing--wait, did that setting just change? At least there's no menu system to navigate with that control.
Hide Review Senior Editor Lori Grunin has been covering digital imaging and all types of tech for two decades and photographing for four, but the stat she's proudest of is the approximately 5,000 photos she's taken of cats (and some dogs) for the animal rescue where she volunteers.
User Reviews
See all user reviewsRating Breakdown
Most recent user reviews
Showing 2 of 2 reviews
"Good and Bad" By horsebits
Pros: Small, easy to use, clear HD video, even at lower resolution. Sound not great, but OK . I like that there is a tripod mount. I was able to record over 20 min. of VGA video on a 2GB SD card. Minimum recommended is 4GB HCSD card up to 32GB.
Cons: The software not good, doesn't do much. Can't even add a title. Video is only in .mov so I had to download a video converter program to edit the videos from the camera. Don't see a way to replace the rechargeable battery. Only charges via USB cable.
Summary: This is a decent entry level camera. I want a camera that takes a good image. Otherwise what is the point of having it? It has a very decent movie image, including HD. I haven't tried the still camera yet, but at 8MP, should be fine. The camera is ... Expand full review
"Better than they've told you!CNEt" By Pak.Hanafi
Pros: High quality video. Small size. Ease of use.
Cons: Buttons take getting used to, but once that's done, they are responsive. Software is no so good, but LOTS of free applications are available to edit videos as needed.
Summary: I like it, in spite of the heavy criticism from the CNET reviewer. I think it's an attractive device, as well. The reviewer doesn't like the way it looks, but everyone I show it to thinks it looks pretty cool. You'll have to get additional software, but ... Expand full review
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Optical sensor type: CMOS
- Effective sensor resolution: 8.0 megapixels
- Flash type: Built-in
