JVC Everio GZ-MC200 review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Chris Stevens

Reviewed on: 17 May 2005

Tags: JVC, JVC Everio GZ-MC200, DV tape, holiday, editing software

We like:

Incredibly small size; simple point-and-shoot functionality; image stabilisation; removable microdrive

We don't like:

Limited 60-minute record time on included 4GB microdrive; low-light performance could be better

You might also need:

You'll probably want to buy additional removable microdrives to extend the available record time

CNET UK judgement:

It's largely thanks to the massive success of the iPod that microdrives have become so affordable. It was about time some great DV camcorders turned up with hard disks tucked away in their bellies, so we were pleased to find the JVC MC-200 is such a small and elegant use of this technology. Although you'll need to buy additional microdrives to store more than 60 minutes of footage on location, hard disk really is the future of DV

Full review:

While tape-based music formats died a rapid death in the '90s, tape-based camcorders have managed to delay their inevitable lynching for many years. Because of the enormous amount of data a few seconds of video can generate, it's only recently that there's been any option but DV tape to store video on. The JVC GZ-MC200 uses a tiny 4GB internal hard disk drive to store digital video. In effect, you skip the part of the editing process where you use FireWire to transfer footage to a hard disk for editing. Continue Reading...