JVC Everio GZ-MG330 Camcorder Owners Review.

by Capt. Sutanu Dutta
(Dubai, U.A.E.)

JVC Everio GZ-MG330 camcorder owners review.

To all people interested in purchasing their 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th camcorder, I recommend to go for the Everio GZ-MG330 without hesitation, It is the Best as of 2008.

If you are either of the following, this camcorder is meant for you:
1. Anyone shopping for his/her 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th camcorder.
2. Anyone who is not interested in Hi-Def technology yet.
3. Anyone who is not a video pro and wants a ready-to-shoot camcorder.
4. Anyone who wants the best video quality output both in day and night.
5. Anyone who believes in a slim, small & compact camcorder.
6. Anyone who wants to hold the latest gadget, which has beautiful ergonomics
7. Anyone who has a big TV but is not ready for a HD camcorder yet.
8. Anyone who wants easy editing & DVD burning of his recorded video.
9. Anyone who desires the best technology but easy on pocket.
10. Finally, anyone who loves a good looking thing!

I had 6 camcorders before, starting from Mini-DV tape ones, to SD Card ones. However, none of them lived-up to my expectations vis-à-vis picture quality, especially at dim-light conditions. Thus, I researched, tested and took the Everio GZ-MG330, which is my 7th, also hopefully Final one in SD until I get the Best HD model.

Firstly, in today’s scenario I would recommend everyone to go for a HDD camcorder, what with the tapes, SD Cards getting messed-up, making countless back-ups to cater for. The GZ-MG330 has a 30 Gb HDD, which is quite good enough for all the recordings we will ever need in SD format. No extra baggage to keep track of, beside HDD is easier and faster to download into your PC, edit and then burn your DVD at will. With my GZ-MG330 I copied, edited & burnt DVDs of 6 Gb recording in just over 1 hour.

The GZ-MG330 is the smallest camcorder in the market today (besides the Sanyo-Xacti series) and yes, the smallest HDD one. At nearly the size of a Pepsi Can, it surprisingly packs in all the features needed for a camcorder. You would have guessed from its pictures, the GZ-MG330 is a stunner in looks dept. What with the very cool colour choices (the only one such in the market), all buttons neatly placed, easy to reach and smooth to handle. The laser guided scroll function on its LCD is unique. Besides, it is very easy to operate, the menu is simple, no unnecessary features, which generalists like me actually do not need.

The picture quality of GZ-MG330 is very good compared to all the cams I had before and definitely very-very good compared to its size. I recorded both day & night shots. The ones I did inside my house at night, in the general lighting we all have in our homes, was “splendid”. Though not exactly like a daytime outside shot, however the GZ-MG330 delivers the best night picture quality in the market. And believe me, no consumer camcorder gives the perfect picture in low light conditions. This I learnt with my experience, as well as reported by the specialists’ is camcorder websites. I viewed the GZ-MG330 shootings in my 42” LCD TV and to be frank, I was surprised at such a good resolution. The picture was sharp, the colours were nearly original and there were no ghosts. Albeit, the day shots were great, as any camcorder which delivers good at low light would do even better at daylight. The GZ-MG330 delighted me when I saw my footage in the TV. The picture was stunning, absolutely clear-cut, sharp, focused and rightly coloured. I must say, the GZ-MG330 is well ahead in the SD technology, even though there are many SD Camcorders, which have quite better configurations like 3 CCD, 5 Mp, 1.2f Lens and the jargon. Though the GZ-MG330 is just about 1Mp CCD with a 1.8f Lens (which is about half the light capture of 1.2f), it delivers quite clear video. And mind you, I was viewing in a 42” TV. Surely, with smaller TVs the output will be flawless, just like a HD recording.

Inside the house, at night time, with conventional lighting, I kept a newspaper at about 22 feet away and zoomed my GZ-MG330. The output was astounding. Even the smallest type print was crystal clear. And the colour photos looked exactly the same as on newsprint. Remember, the general pages in a newspaper carry dull photos compared to glossy prints of a magazine. Thus, capturing that in white contrast is a difficult task for any camcorder without added light. At day I also zoomed into a building, about 500 yards away, I could clearly look inside their living room and could see their wall murals. And all these I did hand-held, without a tripod. The GZ-MG330 has 35x Optical Zoom, the highest ever in a camcorder, plus the digital zoom. In this category the GZ-MG330 is a market leader.

The GZ-MG330 has an DIS, which performs delicately well. Unlike many other models (also JVC) here is a camcorder which does its job well. Everytime I zoomed or shaked the camera, within micro seconds it gave me the clarity I needed. This is a silent worker, strong on inside, cool on outside.

The GZ-MG330 is a perfect example of KISS cameras. No manual control, nothing to set here or there, fully auto-focus (and a good one at it), not even the instr. booklet is needed to be read. Just set the date & time and start shooting. You may like to change the initial settings later like the video & still quality to “Superfine” modes, but that is entirely up to you, JVC doesn’t need it. And the recordings would anyway be picture perfect.

The GZ-MG330 is beautifully sculptured. It advocates desire; one feels like holding it, move around, show off and go on shooting. And I guess, that’s what home camcorders are meant for. I have the Ruby-Red model and I have fallen in love with it. SIZE MATTERS: Oh yes, in the gadget world it really does… everything small & sleek is trendy. And the Pepsi Can sized GZ-MG330 is definitely a leader.

TECHNICAL SPECS.: I don't need to discuss here, as it is well covered in every site. Basically, it is well packed with all necessary features, very sturdy and cute.

PROs & CONs: GZ-MG330 has more pros than cons. Some being, it is just a 1 CCD, 1.8f Lens, less than 1Mp, no opitcal stabilization etc. Though doesn’t matter, as the video is too good anyway.

CONCLUSION: The GZ-MG330 is the best Camcorder ever produced in my opinion. My recommendation is GO FOR IT… and you will never regret it. Actually, you might not need a HD camcorder for a long-long time, until the HD market develops further.

FINAL RATING: I'll give the Jvc Everio GZ-MG330 “Five Star” rating (“10/10” or “A++” if you like). GO BUY IT.

Capt. S. Dutta
*Ps.: I think JVC would be surprised by my views.