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  • Introduction

  • Design

  • Front

  • Back

  • Left

  • Right

  • Top

  • Bottom

  • Size & Weight Comparison

  • In the Box

  • Performance

  • Color

  • Low Light Color

  • Noise

  • Low Light Sensitivity

  • Low Light Noise

  • Low Light Color

  • Motion

  • Video Sharpness

  • Testing Samples

  • Usability

  • Ease of Use

  • Auto Mode

  • Auto Controls

  • Handling

  • Portability

  • Battery Life

  • LCD

  • Stabilization

  • Manual Focus

  • Manual Exposure

  • Miscellaneous Controls

  • Auto Controls

  • Audio Controls

  • Editing

  • Features

  • Compression

  • Media

  • Slow Motion Modes

  • Still Features

  • Lens & Imaging System

  • LCD

  • Connectivity

  • Battery

  • Media

  • Still Features

  • Other Features

  • Canon Vixia HF S21 Comparison

  • JVC GZ-HM400 Comparison

  • COMP 3

  • Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Introduction
  • Design
  • Front
  • Back
  • Left
  • Right
  • Top
  • Bottom
  • Size & Weight Comparison
  • In the Box
  • Performance
  • Color
  • Low Light Color
  • Noise
  • Low Light Sensitivity
  • Low Light Noise
  • Low Light Color
  • Motion
  • Video Sharpness
  • Testing Samples
  • Usability
  • Ease of Use
  • Auto Mode
  • Auto Controls
  • Handling
  • Portability
  • Battery Life
  • LCD
  • Stabilization
  • Manual Focus
  • Manual Exposure
  • Miscellaneous Controls
  • Auto Controls
  • Audio Controls
  • Editing
  • Features
  • Compression
  • Media
  • Slow Motion Modes
  • Still Features
  • Lens & Imaging System
  • LCD
  • Connectivity
  • Battery
  • Media
  • Still Features
  • Other Features
  • Canon Vixia HF S21 Comparison
  • JVC GZ-HM400 Comparison
  • COMP 3
  • Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Introduction

Design

Front

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Back

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Left

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Top

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Bottom

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Size & Weight Comparison

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In the Box

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Performance

Color

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The GZ-HM1 put up good numbers in our color test, which is something we almost always see from JVC camcorders. The model registered a color error of 3.55 and a saturation level of 86.32%. While these numbers are very good, Panasonic did step up its game this year and produced more accurate colors with the HDC-TM700 than JVC was able to do with the GZ-HM1. Still, the HM1's performance is top-notch and it is nearly identical to the strong color accuracy we saw on last year's JVC GZ-HM400. More on how we test color.

The Color Error Map above shows that the GZ-HM1 did best when rendering blues and certain red colors. The camcorder had some trouble with greens, browns, and yellows, however. Unfortunately, the GZ-HM1 does not have any color modes or alternate color presets. So, what you see in auto mode is basically what you get as far as color and saturation levels are concerned (certain scene modes may tweak the colors, but none of them offer manual color controls). The GZ-HM1 does have a sharpness adjustment option, which we show examples of in the Image Controls section of this review.

Overall, we're rather fond of the way the GZ-HM1 rendered colors in our test—just as we were with its predecessor, the GZ-HM400. The Panasonic HDC-TM700 offered more accurate colors with a higher saturation level, but to the naked eye this distinction is difficult to discern. Besides, what constitutes a 'good' color performance is largely based on personal preference. We suggest you take a look at the comparison images below and be your own judge.

Of the four camcorders shown above, the only one that didn't earn an excellent score in this test was the Canon HF S21. In its defense, the HF S21 also has the most options for manually adjusting color settings while you shoot, plus it offers a high number of color presets.

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Low Light Color

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The GZ-HM1 earned a color error of 6.24 in our low light testing with a matching saturation level of 70.23%. These numbers aren't excellent—and they are a far cry from the great numbers the camcorder managed in our bright light testing—but they aren't much lower than average for a camcorder of its class. As we've seen in many of our tests, the GZ-HM1 again performed very similarly to last year's JVC GZ-HM400 in our low light color test. More on how we test low light color.

The Color Error Map above does a good job showing where the GZ-HM1 had the most trouble rendering accurate colors. Just like we saw in bright light, the camcorder had difficulty with greens and yellows, but in low light the problems were more pronounced (notice the longer line lengths in the Error Map). Looking at the comparison images below you can see that the GZ-HM1 doesn't have the green hue that coats the image captured by the JVC GZ-HM400.

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Noise

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The GZ-HM1 averaged 0.465% noise in our bright light test, which is a very good performance—even for a high-end HD camcorder. This noise level is nearly identical to what we measured on the the Panasonic HDC-TM700, while the other two models in this set had a bit more noise in our testing. More on how we test noise.

You can really see how the sharpness these HD camcorders are capable of capturing by looking at the cropped images above. Each of these models captured an extremely sharp image in bright light, but you can see some differences when you look closely. The Canon HF S21's image isn't quite as fine as the rest of the camcorders—a fact you can particularly see by looking at the left side of the horizontal trumpets near the bottom of the cropped image.

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Low Light Sensitivity

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The GZ-HM1 required just 17 lux of light to reach 50 IRE on our waveform monitor—a light level that is nearly half that of what the JVC GZ-HM400 required on the same test last year. While this does represent a very strong improvement for JVC, the GZ-HM1 still comes out slightly behind the rest of the high-end camcorders in this test. More on how we test low light sensitivity.

The GZ-HM1's alternate frame rate options have very limited functionality and they don't capture HD video, so we couldn't use them in our low light sensitivity test. We do list the sensitivity results for other camcorders and their alternate frame rates in the table below, but we always use the results from 60i (or 60p) shooting to calculate our low light sensitivity score. If you're looking for a reason why the GZ-HM1 showed an improvement over the GZ-HM400 in this test, it probably has to do with processing updates and JVC's new back-illuminated sensor that is featured on the HM1.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Sensitivity Comparison", attribute="Low Light Sensitivity Score", xLabel="Low Light Sensitivity Score"}}

Low Light Noise

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We measured the noise levels on the GZ-HM1 to be 1.1675% in our low light test, which is a strong performance. The GZ-HM1 didn't have the lowest noise scores in this testing set (the Panasonic HDC-TM700 did), but its noise levels were quite a bit better than average for a camcorder of its class—and its overall low light image looked a whole lot better than last year's GZ-HM400. More on how we test low light noise.

With the crops above you can really see the problems that came up with last year's JVC GZ-HM400 when we tested it in low light. The green tone is very prominent in the image and there is a ton of noticeable noise. The JVC GZ-HM1 has a far cleaner image, although it too has some noticeable noise. The Panasonic HDC-TM700 managed the best overall low light performance in this set, with the JVC GZ-HM1 and Canon HF S21 each putting up a strong fight for second place.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Noise Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Noise Score", xLabel="Low Light Noise Score"}}

Low Light Color

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The GZ-HM1 earned a color error of 6.24 in our low light testing with a matching saturation level of 70.23%. These numbers aren't excellent—and they are a far cry from the great numbers the camcorder managed in our bright light testing—but they aren't much lower than average for a camcorder of its class. As we've seen in many of our tests, the GZ-HM1 again performed very similarly to last year's JVC GZ-HM400 in our low light color test. More on how we test low light color.

The Color Error Map above does a good job showing where the GZ-HM1 had the most trouble rendering accurate colors. Just like we saw in bright light, the camcorder had difficulty with greens and yellows, but in low light the problems were more pronounced (notice the longer line lengths in the Error Map). Looking at the comparison images below you can see that the GZ-HM1 doesn't have the green hue that coats the image captured by the JVC GZ-HM400.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Color Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Color Score", xLabel="Low Light Color Score"}}

Motion

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The JVC GZ-HM1 rendered smooth, crisp motion in our testing, which is just what we expect to see from a high-end HD camcorder. Our only complaint is that the GZ-HM1 doesn't have a 30p or 24p record mode like you get on the Canon HF S21, and it also lacks a 60p record mode like the Panasonic HDC-TM700 has. The GZ-HM1's lone alternate frame rates are all low-quality slow motion modes that are limited to recording just a few seconds of video. More on how we test motion.

Video Sharpness

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Like its predecessor (the GZ-HM400), the JVC GZ-HM1 managed to produce one of the sharpest images we've seen from a consumer camcorder. In our test, the HM1 measured a horizontal sharpness of 1000 lw/ph and a vertical sharpness of 650 lw/ph (identical numbers to what the GZ-HM400 put up). Even with these impeccable scores, the GZ-HM1 was beaten out by the Panasonic HDC-TM700 thanks to its new 60p record mode with ultra-sharp HD video. We should mention, though, that all of the camcorders in this set did exceptionally well on this test, so you really shouldn't be disappointed by the video sharpness capabilities of any of them. More on how we test video sharpness.

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Testing Samples

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Usability

Ease of Use

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The GZ-HM1 has a dedicated auto mode that turns on most of the camcorder's automatic controls. You can still access the main menu in this auto mode, and certain things like stabilization, zoom settings, and video quality controls can still be adjusted (this is different from many dedicated auto modes that simply bar you from accessing any menus or turning any features on and off). The dedicated auto mode on the GZ-HM1 does block you from opening the Manual Controls submenu, however.

The menu on the GZ-HM1 is fairly simple and everything is located under one long list, although there are numerous submenus as well. This long list of menu options can be quickly navigated using the Laser Touch Strip, but we found the strip to be an annoyance when we tried to select a specific menu item. Due to the presence of multiple submenus we found certain options to be buried in hard-to-find locations. The fact that the GZ-HM1's instruction manual isn't all that detailed also adds to this problem.

Auto Mode is confusingly called Dual Shot mode

There is a bit of scrolling text that runs along the bottom of the menu screen to give tips and details about the menu items you are selecting. We don't like how the text scrolls (it is a bit slow and hard to read), but we're happy to see this helpful information on the menu screen. The presence of JVC's one-touch buttons isn't as exciting as the company makes them sound. You must activate these modes before you begin shooting, which severely limits their usability.

Auto Mode

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In auto mode the GZ-HM1 functions decently, but the camcorder clearly has less impressive automated controls than the competition. Yes, the GZ-HM1 has a dedicated auto mode and a variety of scene modes, but it doesn't have any autofocus/auto exposure tracking features like you'll find on the Panasonic HDC-TM700 and Canon HF S21. The lack of an LCD touchscreen makes tracking a difficult feature to incorporate, and this also explains why the GZ-HM1 doesn't have a spot focus or spot exposure option as well (a useful feature that allows you to tap the portion of your image that you want to focus or expose properly).

The GZ-HM1 does have two photometry options, however, so you can choose how the camcorder determines exposure levels between whole screen or center spot evaluation. The autofocus system on the GZ-HM1 works at a quick pace, but we found the camcorder occasionally popped in and out of focus at times (and focus adjustments weren't always very smooth).

The auto exposure and auto white balance both worked adequately on the GZ-HM1. We noticed less discoloration problems on the HM1 than we did with last year's GZ-HM400, which tells us that JVC worked hard to improve the white balance on its new models. Auto exposure adjustments were usually very gradual and accurate, and the camcorder has an optional backlight compensation setting that can be turned on or off manually.

Strangely, JVC advertises the GZ-HM1 as having an 'auto record' feature on the company's website—but the feature is nowhere to be found on the camcorder itself (and it isn't mentioned in the instruction manual). This setting, which is present on some of JVC's mid-range models, allows the camcorder to automatically begin recording when a new subject enters the frame.

The iAuto mode button is difficult to find, but when you do find it the option for turning on the mode looks like this.

Auto Controls

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Gain - You can't set the gain levels on the GZ-HM1 manually, but you can turn auto gain control (AGC) on and off. With AGC off, the camcorder provides no gain boost; this option will get you a cleaner, noise-free picture, but it also renders the GZ-HM1 essentially useless in low light situations. There's also an option for setting AGC to auto, which does the same thing as turning AGC on, but also lets the camcorder use a 1/30 of a second shutter speed in low light situations.

Handling

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Since the GZ-HM1 is the same exact size, weight, and shape as last year's JVC GZ-HM400, there isn't much new ground to cover in terms of handling. The GZ-HM1 still has an odd right-side design that doesn't offer the most comfortable grip, and its hand strap is a bit less plush than what you'll find on models from Sony, Canon, or Panasonic. There's also the problem with the built-in mic being placed to far back on the camcorder, which often results in it accidentally being bumped or covered by your fingers while you're recording.

On the plus side, the GZ-HM1 does have an excellent zoom rocker that works very well for producing precise, even zooms. The camcorder's body, while it is prone to scratching, also has a nice matte finish that doesn't attract greasy fingerprints. The GZ-HM1's front-mounted control dial is the best method for adjusting manual controls on the camcorder, but it feels cheaply constructed when compared to the dials and rings found on the competition.

We also must reference the Laser Touch Strip on the GZ-HM1, which has been featured on most JVC models for the past couple years. The strip is good for some things (like scrolling through long menu lists), but it is very frustrating to use for making small, precise adjustments. Even though the control dial isn't the best, it's a whole lot better than using the Laser Touch Strip to set things like focus, exposure, shutter speed, or aperture.

The presence of the Laser Touch Strip does make the GZ-HM1 the only major flagship camcorder to not utilize a touchscreen interface. This may appeal to users who have a strong disdain for touchscreens, but we feel the Laser Touch system is just as annoying to use.

Compared to the flagship models from other manufacturers, the GZ-HM1 has the smallest LCD and it's one of the few high-end models to not include an electronic viewfinder. The camcorder does have one customizable button (the 'User' button) that can be set to a variety of functions.

These dedicated buttons give you quick access to aperture and shutter speed controls.

Portability

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Looking at the table below the first thing that should jump out at you is the fact that the GZ-HM1 is the exact same size and weight as last year's GZ-HM400. The only difference as far as portability is concerned is that the GZ-HM1 has double the internal memory (64GB as opposed to 32GB on the GZ-HM400). The weight of the GZ-HM1, which is 485g, puts the camcorder smack dab in the middle of the pack compared to other high-end HD models. The Canon HF S21 is a bit heavier and larger, the Panasonic HDC-TM700 is lighter and more compact, and the Sony HDR-CX550V has roughly the same size and weight as the GZ-HM1. None of these camcorders would be comfortable to carry around in your pocket, but all of them are small enough to pack them in a small bag or large purse without much discomfort.

Battery Life

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The GZ-HM1 passed our battery life test with flying colors. The camcorder managed 167 minutes (2 hours, 47 minutes) of continual recording with its provided battery—a length that is more than double the amount of time the Canon HF S21 lasted in the same test. JVC has often shown excellent battery life capabilities, as the GZ-HM400 lasted for nearly the same length when we tested it last year. More on how we test battery life.

If 167 minutes of record time still isn't long enough, you can purchase larger batteries from JVC that should give you even longer battery life. The GZ-HM1, just like most high-end camcorders, has an open battery compartment that can easily accommodate larger battery packs.

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LCD

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Compared to the other new high-end models that were released in 2010, the JVC GZ-HM1 appears to be quite lackluster in the LCD and viewfinder department. For starters, the HM1 is one of the few flagship models that does not offer any sort of electronic viewfinder. We're not saying the viewfinders on the competition are all that great or anything, but at least Panasonic, Sony, and Canon chose to include that feature (and a viewfinder can be very useful in certain situations).

The GZ-HM1 also has the smallest, lowest-resolution LCD of the 2010 flagship models. While Panasonic, Canon, and Sony each chose to increase the size of their screens, JVC kept its LCD at 2.8 inches with a 207,000-pixel resolution—the exact same size as the screen on last year's JVC GZ-HM400. The GZ-HM1 is certainly large enough to accommodate a bigger screen or an electronic viewfinder, but it seems JVC chose to save money by avoiding any design changes or updates.

Another thing that stands out with the GZ-HM1 is the fact that it is the only 2010 flagship model that does not use a touchscreen interface. Instead, the HM1 uses JVC's Laser Touch strip for menu navigation and adjusting certain manual controls. The strip is similar to a touchscreen in some ways (it is touch-sensitive after all), but you don't actually have to touch the screen with the tips of your fingers.

Stabilization

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The GZ-HM1 is equipped with an optical image stabilization system (OIS), and the camcorder also has an additional stabilization called Active mode. According to JVC, Active mode should offer more stabilization in high-shake situations, but we found this not to be the case. In our testing, the regular OIS on the GZ-HM1 worked wonders: it reduced 66% of the shake in our low shake situation and 57% of the shake in our high shake setup. Active mode, on the other hand, only improved things by 19% in our low shake test and by just 31% in our high shake test. More on how we test stabilization.

The stabilization results for the GZ-HM1's OIS are very good when compared to other camcorders. Only Panasonic and Sony have done better in our testing—and neither of them managed to be better than the GZ-HM1 by all that much. We also should note that the GZ-HM1 appeared to be an incredibly stable camcorder even without OIS turned on. Something about its shape or design must have helped the camcorder maintain its balance, as it shook very little even during our high shake test. You can see what we're talking about by looking at the example video below (notice how little the camcorder shakes with OIS on and off).

Manual Focus

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The adjustment dial makes accurate focus adjustments easy.

Manual Exposure

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The manual exposure controls are only found on the Contour app, not on the camcorder itself.

Miscellaneous Controls

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x.v. Color

Lets the camcorder record video using the xvYCC expanded color gamut. You'll only see a difference if you view the footage on an xvYCC compatible television, however.

Sharpness

Sharpness can be adjusted manually on the GZ-HM1 with an incremental range from -5 to +5.

Grid

Displays a 9-sector grid on the LCD to assist with framing. The grid won't end up in your recorded footage since it is for framing purposes only.

Zebra

In attempt to assist with maintaining proper exposure levels, Zebra will display striped patterns on overexposed areas within the frame. The sensitivity for these 'Zebra Patterns' can be set to 70% or 100%.

Tele Macro

Tele Macro allows you to bring close up images into focus that the camcorder would normally not be able to focus on.

Auto Controls

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Gain - You can't set the gain levels on the GZ-HM1 manually, but you can turn auto gain control (AGC) on and off. With AGC off, the camcorder provides no gain boost; this option will get you a cleaner, noise-free picture, but it also renders the GZ-HM1 essentially useless in low light situations. There's also an option for setting AGC to auto, which does the same thing as turning AGC on, but also lets the camcorder use a 1/30 of a second shutter speed in low light situations.

Audio Controls

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The JVC GZ-HM1 isn't stacked with audio features, but it does have all the basics. The camcorder is equipped with both a headphone output and an external microphone jack, although we're a bit upset with JVC's obscure labeling of the mic jack. Both jacks are located on the back of the camcorder, albeit in different spots (the mic jack is above the battery compartment, while the headphone port is on the left side).

The built-in mic on the HM1 records 2-channel stereo audio, but the placement of the mic is very poor. When we gripped the camcorder in our right hand we found our pinky finger continually rubbed up against the edge of the microphone—something that spells disaster if you're trying to capture pristine, unadulterated audio. The GZ-HM1 is equipped with K2 audio recording technology, which, according to JVC, offers improved sound quality. If you want really good audio, however, you're best off using an external microphone with the camcorder.

The GZ-HM1 has a limited audio level control feature that lets you manually adjust the recording levels from -2 to +2. This is a far cry to the large range of audio level adjustment you get on the Panasonic HDC-TM700 or Canon HF S21. The GZ-HM1 does also have the ability to adjust the volume level for the headphone-out terminal. A complete overview of the HM1's audio features—along with that of the competition—is listed in the table below:

Editing

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In addition to having a number of in-camera editing features, the GZ-HM1 ships with Everio Media Browser HD. This is the same software that JVC has been including with its camcorders for quite some time now and it assists you with importing video clips, uploading footage to the internet, and burning DVDs.

The GZ-HM1's 'one-touch' Upload, Export, and Disc burn buttons that are located inside the LCD cavity are also a hot talking point for JVC. As we've noted in previous reviews of JVC camcorders, these buttons aren't all that useful as you must press them before you begin recording in order for them to be functional. This means they don't save you much time, as you can always select videos for upload, export, or DVD burning after you import them with the provided Everio Media Browser software. For an overview of the software that ships with this and other camcorders, see our article: Video Editing Software For Your Camcorder{{product.brand.name}}-Included-Software.htm.

Features

Compression

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The JVC GZ-HM1 uses the AVCHD compression system, which has become the standard for consumer camcorders that record HD video. The camcorder has four recording quality options, each of which captures Full HD video at a 1920 x 1080 resolution.

There are no standard definition recording options on the JVC GZ-HM1. The camcorder's three high-speed frame rate settings can be used to capture slow-motion clips, but the resultant videos are extremely low-quality and have stringent clip length limitations. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.

Media

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The GZ-HM1 comes with 64GB of non-removable flash memory that can be used to store both video or photos taken with the camcorder. You also have the option of recording to removable SD/SDHC memory cards via the card slot located on the left side of the camcorder (near the top of the LCD cavity).

The table below lists the approximate record times for the JVC GZ-HM1 and its four video quality settings. The 64GB of internal memory should be enough space to hold videos from a long vacation or numerous events—unless you're an obsessive video hound. You can always record at a lower quality setting if you feel like you may run out of space and don't have any SDHC memory cards to back you up. JVC does not yet officially support the new higher capacity SDXC memory cards. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Slow Motion Modes

Still Features

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We're not sure if 'loaded' is the best term to describe the GZ-HM1's amount of still features, but one thing is clear: the HM1 does have more still image controls than most consumer camcorders. In addition to the camcorder's native 10-megapixel still image capability, the GZ-HM1 also has a built-in flash, multiple continuous shooting modes, three self-timers (including one that snaps a photo when a new face is detected), and manual ISO control. The GZ-HM1 also has a number of image size options (offering both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios), and all of the manual controls that are available in video mode can also be set in photo mode on the camcorder.

Whether all these still features will be any use to you is another question entirely, but we must say that the GZ-HM1 is one of the most impressive camcorders we've seen when it comes to still image performance. Is the camcorder as good at snapping photos as a dedicated digital camera? Not quite... but it does come close.

The GZ-HM1 did well in our still color test, coming in with a color error of 2.98 and a saturation level of 106.4%. You might notice that these numbers are a notch better than what the camcorder registered in our bright light video testing, but that isn't too unusual—all of the other camcorders in this testing set showed the same phenomenon.

Looking at the comparison images below, you'll see that the GZ-HM1's sample still photo looks very similar to what we took with the JVC GZ-HM400 before it (although the HM400's image is a tad darker). We like the quality of the HM1's still photos very much—the colors are deep and vivid and the image is very sharp. The GZ-HM1 (along with the GZ-HM400) is one of the best camcorders we've ever reviewed when it comes to overall still image performance.

In our still noise test, the GZ-HM1 averaged 0.97% noise. Ideally, we'd like this noise level to be a bit lower, but it is really no different (in fact, it's better) than the numbers put up by most camcorders in this test. Of the competitors in this set, only the Panasonic HDC-TM700 had lower noise levels in its still images than the JVC GZ-HM1.

Still sharpness is probably the most important of our three still image tests because it gives us a good idea of how much detail the camcorder is capable of capturing in its photographs. The JVC GZ-HM1 measured a horizontal sharpness of 2262 lw/ph with 13.4% oversharpening and a corresponding vertical sharpness of 1703 lw/ph with 0.8% undersharpening. These numbers are very good—and they match what we measured on the JVC GZ-HM400 previously—but we expected the sharpness numbers to be a bit higher. The GZ-HM1 does, after all, boast a 10.62 megapixel resolution, which is nearly as high as what you'll find on most digital cameras.

Lens & Imaging System

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If you just glance over the specs on the GZ-HM1, it may look like the camcorder has the same lens and sensor combination as its predecessor, the JVC GZ-HM400. While this is mostly true—the lens and sensor are the same size—JVC has incorporated new technology on the GZ-HM1 in the form of a back-illuminated CMOS sensor. This repositioning of the sensor is something that numerous other manufacturers have been incorporating over the past couple of years, and it is said to result in better low light performance and a cleaner video image (which is definitely the case with the GZ-HM1).

LCD

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Compared to the other new high-end models that were released in 2010, the JVC GZ-HM1 appears to be quite lackluster in the LCD and viewfinder department. For starters, the HM1 is one of the few flagship models that does not offer any sort of electronic viewfinder. We're not saying the viewfinders on the competition are all that great or anything, but at least Panasonic, Sony, and Canon chose to include that feature (and a viewfinder can be very useful in certain situations).

The GZ-HM1 also has the smallest, lowest-resolution LCD of the 2010 flagship models. While Panasonic, Canon, and Sony each chose to increase the size of their screens, JVC kept its LCD at 2.8 inches with a 207,000-pixel resolution—the exact same size as the screen on last year's JVC GZ-HM400. The GZ-HM1 is certainly large enough to accommodate a bigger screen or an electronic viewfinder, but it seems JVC chose to save money by avoiding any design changes or updates.

Another thing that stands out with the GZ-HM1 is the fact that it is the only 2010 flagship model that does not use a touchscreen interface. Instead, the HM1 uses JVC's Laser Touch strip for menu navigation and adjusting certain manual controls. The strip is similar to a touchscreen in some ways (it is touch-sensitive after all), but you don't actually have to touch the screen with the tips of your fingers.

Connectivity

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Most of the ports on the GZ-HM1 are located on the back of the camcorder. Running vertically along side the battery compartment you'll find a large, flip-open port cover that houses the following connectivity terminals (from top to bottom): Headphone, Component-out, HDMI, and DC-input. The thick cover protecting these ports is fairly strong, but it doesn't open all that far, which is something that could lead to some cramped spacing issues if you have lots of cables connected at once.

Above the battery there's another port cover that runs horizontally, although this one is much smaller than the one to the left of the battery compartment. Here you'll find a regular AV-output port and a 3.5mm microphone jack. The mic jack doesn't have the classic red color code that is usually associated with external mic inputs and it is confusingly labeled with 'plug in power.' In JVC's defense, however, the jack is labeled as 'Mic' on the outside of the port cover.

Inside the LCD cavity there's one more lonely port: the USB terminal. This port isn't covered by any protector, but it is indented into the camcorder's body a bit—and the LCD panel does cover the port when it is closed. Also on this side of the camcorder is the SD/SDHC memory card slot, which springs open via a small, black switch.

The GZ-HM1 does have an accessory shoe, but the shoe is cold (not powered) and it requires the use of a provided screw-in adapter. The plastic adapter screws into the top of the camcorder in the area beneath the sliding door just behind the built-in microphone. We're not crazy about this adapter—it feels cheap and it is easy to lose—but we do like the fact that the accessory shoe doesn't use any kind of proprietary fit or design (it should work with any regular shoe accessory).

Battery

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If 167 minutes of record time still isn't long enough, you can purchase larger batteries from JVC that should give you even longer battery life. The GZ-HM1, just like most high-end camcorders, has an open battery compartment that can easily accommodate larger battery packs. Find out how the product:model/product:model performed in our battery life test.

Media

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The GZ-HM1 comes with 64GB of non-removable flash memory that can be used to store both video or photos taken with the camcorder. You also have the option of recording to removable SD/SDHC memory cards via the card slot located on the left side of the camcorder (near the top of the LCD cavity).

The table below lists the approximate record times for the JVC GZ-HM1 and its four video quality settings. The 64GB of internal memory should be enough space to hold videos from a long vacation or numerous events—unless you're an obsessive video hound. You can always record at a lower quality setting if you feel like you may run out of space and don't have any SDHC memory cards to back you up. JVC does not yet officially support the new higher capacity SDXC memory cards. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Still Features

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We're not sure if 'loaded' is the best term to describe the GZ-HM1's amount of still features, but one thing is clear: the HM1 does have more still image controls than most consumer camcorders. In addition to the camcorder's native 10-megapixel still image capability, the GZ-HM1 also has a built-in flash, multiple continuous shooting modes, three self-timers (including one that snaps a photo when a new face is detected), and manual ISO control. The GZ-HM1 also has a number of image size options (offering both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios), and all of the manual controls that are available in video mode can also be set in photo mode on the camcorder.

Whether all these still features will be any use to you is another question entirely, but we must say that the GZ-HM1 is one of the most impressive camcorders we've seen when it comes to still image performance. Is the camcorder as good at snapping photos as a dedicated digital camera? Not quite... but it does come close.

The GZ-HM1 did well in our still color test, coming in with a color error of 2.98 and a saturation level of 106.4%. You might notice that these numbers are a notch better than what the camcorder registered in our bright light video testing, but that isn't too unusual—all of the other camcorders in this testing set showed the same phenomenon.

Looking at the comparison images below, you'll see that the GZ-HM1's sample still photo looks very similar to what we took with the JVC GZ-HM400 before it (although the HM400's image is a tad darker). We like the quality of the HM1's still photos very much—the colors are deep and vivid and the image is very sharp. The GZ-HM1 (along with the GZ-HM400) is one of the best camcorders we've ever reviewed when it comes to overall still image performance.

In our still noise test, the GZ-HM1 averaged 0.97% noise. Ideally, we'd like this noise level to be a bit lower, but it is really no different (in fact, it's better) than the numbers put up by most camcorders in this test. Of the competitors in this set, only the Panasonic HDC-TM700 had lower noise levels in its still images than the JVC GZ-HM1.

Still sharpness is probably the most important of our three still image tests because it gives us a good idea of how much detail the camcorder is capable of capturing in its photographs. The JVC GZ-HM1 measured a horizontal sharpness of 2262 lw/ph with 13.4% oversharpening and a corresponding vertical sharpness of 1703 lw/ph with 0.8% undersharpening. These numbers are very good—and they match what we measured on the JVC GZ-HM400 previously—but we expected the sharpness numbers to be a bit higher. The GZ-HM1 does, after all, boast a 10.62 megapixel resolution, which is nearly as high as what you'll find on most digital cameras.

Other Features

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High Speed Recording

This feature is relatively unchanged from what was available on last year's high-end models from JVC (the GZ-HM400 and GZ-X900). The GZ-HM1 has three high-speed record modes—120fps, 300fps, and 600fps—each of which captures video at very low-quality. When we say the video is low quality, we mean compared to what the camcorder is capable of capturing in its regular shooting mode. Each of the slow motion settings produce video with lots of artifacting, discoloration, and the recording resolutions are very small.

| Speed Mode | Resolution | Record | Playback Time |
| 120fps | 480 x 270 | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
| 300fps | 480 x 116 | 4 seconds | 20 seconds |
| 600fps | 640 x 72 | 2.4 seconds | 24 seconds |

In addition to the quality of the video being very poor, each high-speed record mode has a time limit for how long a recorded clip can be. See the table below for complete details.

Time Lapse Recording

The Time Lapse Recording function will capture one frame of video at whatever interval of time you choose. You can set the recording intervals to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 seconds. You must capture at least one second of video in order for the clip to save properly. As with most time lapse features, this recording option is best for capturing things like a flower blooming or a sunrise/sunset.

Register Event

A staple on JVC's camcorders, Register Event allows you to tag your videos with a specific label in order to organize them better. The tags on the GZ-HM1 include Vacation, Holiday, Sports, Anniversary, Congratulations, Baby, Sony, Daughter, Birthday, and Graduation (with three numbered tags for each).

Image Effects

The camcorder features a basic set of image effects that digitally alter the look of your video. There are settings for Sepia, Monotone (black and white), Classic Film, and Strobe. Classic Film offers a slow shutter speed to create an old, choppy film style, while Strobe uses an even slower shutter speed to create an even choppier effect.

Canon Vixia HF S21 Comparison

Pitting the JVC GZ-HM1 head-to-head against the Panasonic HDC-TM700 makes for some tough competition. The HDC-TM700 is currently our #1 ranked consumer camcorder in 2010—a position that it might maintain until year's end. The GZ-HM1, on the other hand, put up some shockingly good numbers in our testing and the camcorder did beat out the Panasonic in a few of our tests (still sharpness and battery life). It didn't do quite enough to unseat the HDC-TM700 as the leader in our rankings, however, so we can't really recommend the GZ-HM1 over the TM700 based on video performance.

Adding to the HDC-TM700's value is the fact that it lists for roughly $200 less than the GZ-HM1. This difference in price does have to do with the fact that the TM700 only has 32GB of internal memory (compared to the GZ-HM1's 64GB), but we're still extremely impressed with Panasonic's ability to keep the cost of its flagship camcorder under $1000. The HDC-TM700 also has a few features the GZ-HM1 does not have: a viewfinder, larger LCD, 1080/60p recording, and a 24p Digital Cinema mode.

Unless you find the JVC GZ-HM1 for a bargain price, there really isn't much of a reason to purchase it over the HDC-TM700. Yes, the GZ-HM1 did slightly better in the still image department, but we doubt that will factor into the decision-making of many would-be consumers. This doesn't mean the GZ-HM1 isn't an excellent camcorder... it is. It's just that the Panasonic HDC-TM700 is even better. The Panasonic's main advantage comes in the form of its 1080/60p recording mode, which enabled the camcorder to capture a sharper video image than the competition.

JVC GZ-HM400 Comparison

The Canon HF S21 is a loaded camcorder that comes with a huge 3.5-inch LCD, an electronic viewfinder, and a number of alternate frame rates for capturing HD video (60i, PF30, PF24, and a native 24p mode). The Canon HF S21 did well on much of our testing, but the JVC GZ-HM1 actually beat it out in color accuracy and stabilization. The biggest differences between these two models, however, may be the fact that the Canon costs $200 more (while offering the same amount of internal memory as the GZ-HM1).

While we like the design and feel of the HF S21 more than the GZ-HM1, we must concede that the JVC is actually the better camcorder when it comes to video performance. The GZ-HM1 does not record HD video in any frame rates other than 1080/60i, however, so if you have the need for a 24p mode then you should go with the Canon HF S21 instead. Don't be fooled by the GZ-HM1's three high-speed frame rate recording options—they don't capture high-quality video (and the clips are limited to a specific length).

Making the choice between these two models comes down to what you need from your camcorder. If you require alternate frame rates or a viewfinder, then the Canon HF S21 should be on your radar. If you're just going to be recording footage at 60i and you don't care too much about durability and chic design, then the JVC GZ-HM1 is the better choice. (And it'll save you some cash.)

COMP 3

JVC made three significant changes to the GZ-HM1 over last year's GZ-HM400: it doubled the internal memory, increased the price by $200, and significantly boosted low light performance by offering a back-illuminated sensor. While the GZ-HM400 toiled in our low light testing, the GZ-HM1 performed quite admirably—even for a flagship model. For this reason alone, the GZ-HM1 is a far better camcorder than its predecessor. We are a bit upset to see the price go up so much on the GZ-HM1, however, particularly when Panasonic was able to keep the price of the HDC-TM700 so low ($999).

On the surface, the GZ-HM1 and GZ-HM400 look nearly identical. Both camcorders have the same weight, size, and most of the same features, although JVC did add a time-lapse record function to the GZ-HM1. Due to the HM1's superior video performance in low light there's simply no reason for us to recommend the GZ-HM400 over JVC's new model—unless you're planning to shoot solely in well-lit locations. Both camcorders put up nearly identical numbers in bright light, so it's really only in low light where JVC made the big improvements with the GZ-HM1.

Conclusion

With the GZ-HM1, JVC took a look at its flagship camcorder from last year and made only the slightest of updates: the implementation of a back-illuminated CMOS sensor. While this adjustment may only sound minor, the resulted improvement in low light performance was quite drastic. The JVC GZ-HM1 offered much better low light sensitivity, less noise, and produced none of the green discoloration we saw on JVC's flagship camcorder from last year (the GZ-HM400).

Other than this sensor redesign, the only significant differences between the GZ-HM1 and last year's GZ-HM400 are a new silver paint job and a doubling of internal memory to 64GB. The two camcorders have the same shape, weight, and button design, and there are only a few features—like a Time Lapse Record setting—that are newly implemented on the GZ-HM1. We don't bemoan the fact that JVC didn't offer a plethora of updates to the GZ-HM1, as the GZ-HM400 was already a very solid camcorder with a glaring weakness in low light. The fact that JVC put all of its energy into addressing this low light issue is rather impressive, and the improved low light performance on the GZ-HM1 speaks for itself.

Still, the GZ-HM1 does fall behind the competition when it comes to design. It doesn't have an electronic viewfinder and it features the smallest LCD among flagship camcorders from the major manufacturers. The GZ-HM1 also feels rather cheap, and its control dial isn't as smooth or precise as what you get on models from Sony, Canon, and Panasonic.

We're also somewhat surprised that JVC upped the price on the GZ-HM1 to $1199, which is roughly $200 more than the list price of last year's GZ-HM400 (our runner-up for best value camcorder in 2009). This puts the GZ-HM1 in the middle of the pack as far as the cost of flagship camcorders go, and it makes it difficult to recommend the GZ-HM1 over the cheaper (and more impressive) Panasonic HDC-TM700. If only JVC had kept the price low like it did last year we'd be able to recommend the GZ-HM1 more readily.

{{photo_gallery "Front Photo", "Left Photo", "Left Open Photo", "Back Photo", "Right Photo", "Top Photo", "Bottom Photo", "Lens Photo", "Lens Photo 2", "3D Lens Photo", "Media Photo", "Easy Mode Photo", "Manual Controls Photo", "Zoom Photo", "Zoom Photo 2", "Ease of Use Photo", "Battery Photo", "LCD Photo 1", "LCD Photo 2", "EVF Photo 1", "EVF Photo 2", "Mic Photo", "Mic Photo 2", "Ports Photo 1", "Ports Photo 2", "Ports Photo 3", "Ports Photo 4", "Ports Photo 5", "Ports Photo 6", "Handling Photo 1", "Handling Photo 2", "Handling Photo 3", "Handling Photo 4", "Box Photo"}}

Meet the tester

Jeremy Stamas

Jeremy Stamas

Managing Editor, Video

@nematode9

Jeremy is the video expert of our imaging team and Reviewed.com's head of video production. Originally from Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he graduated from Bard college with a degree in film and electronic media. He has been living and working in New England since 2005.

See all of Jeremy Stamas's reviews

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