At the bottom rung of JVC’s Everio hard disk drive (HDD) ladder sits the petite GZ-MG130 ($499 MSRP). This entry-level camcorder offers convenience and a decent set of automatic and manual controls. The GZ-MG130 is the cheapest HDD camcorder on the market, and is highly portable and easy to use – all persuasive features that might sway people to overlook its middling video performance.
Under the hood, the GZ-MG130 looks a bit scrawny, featuring the standard entry-level specs: a 1/6-inch, 680,000 CCD. A chip this size does not generally yield the most optimal video. In fact, the GZ-MG130 produces a soft, almost blurred image, and colors have a washed-out look. In this price range, Sony and Panasonic camcorders tend to offer slightly better performances.
Shooting in low light is a challenge for all entry-level camcorders. Fortunately, the GZ-MG130 comes equipped with shutter speed control to give it some flexibility. Though the similarly-priced Sony DCR-DVD308 produces a better image under most lighting, it has no such manual controls.
When it comes to manual controls, JVC Everios are well equipped. The essentials are present: focus, exposure, shutter speed, white balance, and a small gamut of one-touch adjustments make it easy for beginners to feel like they’re in control. The GZ-MG130, like all standard definition Everios, is equipped with an LCD-mounted joystick. While the joystick is conducive to rapid menu navigation, it can prove cumbersome for some tasks. Focusing, for example, is daunting because the joystick is simply too small and finicky for smooth adjustment.
On the plus side, the GZ-MG130’s automatic control is on par with most other camcorders in its class. Auto exposure, gain, and shutter speed work efficiently in bright lighting conditions. The GZ-MG130 includes a host of Auto Exposure (AE) modes that can be applied to a specific shooting environment. There is a Snow setting for the slopes, a Twilight setting for the clubs, and a Sports mode for the ball field, to name a few. The GZ-MG130 is the lightest, most compact HDD camcorder out there. Therefore, you might experience difficulty acquiring a proper grip around its near pocketsize frame.
The GZ-MG130 is considered a hybrid camcorder, meaning it records video and stills to two different forms of media. The GZ-MG130 can record more than seven hours of video in the highest quality to a 30GB non-removable disk drive or a removable SD/SDHC memory card. Hard drives are popular for their large capacities and simplicity – nothing to remove, lose, or scratch. SD/SDHC cards are the size of a postage stamp and can hold a considerable amount of material. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to transport.
Editing footage from the GZ-MG130 is not its strong point. The supplied software, PowerDirector and PowerCinema, do the job of producing basic home movies, but is sluggish and rudimentary. If you plan on using other software, be sure it’s compatible with JVC’s file types (most software from 2006 or later is fine).
The JVC GZ-MG130 has all the ingredients of a good point-and-shooter camcorder: tiny size, friendly recording media, and simple construction. On the down side, the GZ-MG130 offers entry-level video performance – particularly in low light – and scarce editing options. The GZ-MG130 is the cheapest HDD camcorder out there, but it would be wise to test drive the Panasonic SDR-H20 and JVC GZ-MG155 before you shell out $500.
For a more in-depth review, visit the JVC GZ-MG130 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com
