Typical price: £800
What is it: Pocket-sized, 3CCD, hard-disk DV camera
What we think: Miraculous. It seems like only yesterday that 3CCD camcorders were the size of tanks, but JVC has stuffed one into a chassis no larger than a mini-bar can of Coke
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 22 July 2005
Tags: JVC, JVC Everio GZ-MC500, capacity, CCD, manual focus
We like:
Gorgeous styling; professional-grade picture; easy operation; ambitious recording format
We don't like:
No remote; no FireWire; hard to import MPEG-2 footage; recording time is limited to around 60 minutes on the bundled 4GB Microdrive
You might also need:
Additional Microdrives will extend the available record time
CNET UK judgement:
Not only does it look like a professional camcorder, but the MC500's performance matches its appearance. Instead of the more common single CCD, the MC500 uses three separate CCDs to capture a far better clarity of colour. The biggest benefit of the MC500, however, is the size of the thing -- it's tiny
Full review:
We've previously reviewed this camcorder's cheaper sibling, the MC200. The MC500 exceeds it in performance and image clarity by a noticeable margin. This is largely down to the MC500's three CCDs (Charge Coupled Device) -- it uses three entirely separate sensors that respond independently to red, green and blue light. Because of this colour separation, the picture recorded to the MC500's internal microdrive is better than anything a single-CCD system is capable of. Continue Reading...
JVC Everio GZ-MC500 History
31 Aug 2007 in Reviews
Hard-drive camcorders record video footage straight to the memory on your camcorder, rather than to a disc or other removable media. Here we round up some of the best
24 Nov 2006 in Reviews
Looking for some of the smallest camcorders in the world, to capture moments where a bigger camcorder would get jammed in the hole you just crawled through? Here's our pick of the best small camcorders...
26 May 2006 in Reviews
If you've been watching the rich and famous bask in the glamour of Cannes and can see yourself appearing on the credits at next year's screenings, you'll need a 3CCD camcorder. The price tag may be higher but the quality is worth it
21 Nov 2005 in Crave
Tired of getting tangled up in sprawling reams of camcorder tape that slither and twist around your body like electromagnetic triffids? Need to escape into a miniDV-free existance? JVC's GZ-MG20 may be the hard-disk camcorder you're looking for
13 Oct 2005 in Digital Living
Gear Envy: JVC Everio GZ-MC500
It seems like only yesterday that 3CCD camcorders were the size of tanks, but JVC has stuffed one into a chassis no larger than a mini-bar can of Coke. Do you want one to help you get your latest project together?
5 Jul 2005 in Crave
Citizen Vain: The best looking filmmaker's camcorder
Are you an amateur moviemaker with tiny pockets but a big bank account? JVC's smallest 3CCD camcorder might be the perfect gift to yourself
13 Apr 2005 in Crave
JVC Everio GZ-MC500: dirty pretty thing
The new JVC Everio 3CCD camcorder -- it's so small you might accidentally inhale it
Latest user reviews
November 12, 2006
Posted by: Morten Lindstrom
"A nice little camcorder, with a big problem..."
August 30, 2006
Posted by:
"Excellent all in one in a small package"
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