JVC has taken the wraps off no fewer than ten new Everio camcorders at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show, ranging from inexpensive consumer-oriented models to feature-laden high-end, high-resolution shooters. Although the sheer number of camcorders may be a little daunting, one of the primary reasons for all the different models is storage options: some save video to hard drives, some to SD/SDHC memory cards, and others to flash memory. JVC has also introduced its new Super LoLux technology, offering improved low-light shooting thanks to a back-illuminated CMOS sensors (in HD models) or a high-sensitivity CCD (in standard-definition models. All told, the company is rolling out six high-definition models, and four standard-definition camcorders.
At the front of the pack is the GZ-HM1 HD Everio, offering a 10.6 megapixel CMOS sensor, 64 GB of onboard flash memory (it also sports an SD/SDHC card slot), optical image stabilization, and a 16× dynamic zoom. The HM1 can shoot “real” 10 megapixel still images down to ISO 6400, and can shoot 15 10 megapixel stills a second, so users can be sure to get those critical action shots. The camera can also shoot full HD video while taking 5.7 megapixel still images, and the camcorder also sports face detection, one-touch export and upload to YouTube, and an accessory shoe for adding on the peripherals. But the HM1 is not for the faint-of-pocketbook: expect to see it in March for a suggested price of $1,199.95.
Next up, the GZ-HM550 HD Everio offers 32 GB of onboard flash storage, a 10.6 megapixel CMOS sensor, and a 16× dynamic zoom: it can handle 9.3 megapixel stills and also JVC’s advanced image stabilizer and Bluetooth for pushing photos (and even video) to nearby computers and devices—plus there’s still that handy one-touch upload to YouTube. Expect to see the HM550 in February for a suggested price of $799.95.
The Everio GZ-HD6320 and HD550 store video to integrated hard drives—120 gb and 80 GB, respectively; the HD620 sports a 3.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 30× optical zoom, and JVC’s Super LoLux technology; the HD500 steps back to a 1.37 megapixel CMOS sensor and a 20× optical zoom—although both cameras offer JVC’s advanced image stabilization, face detection, face-flow thumbnailing, and (yes) one-button YouTube uploads. They should be available in February for $649.95 and $549.96, respectively.
Finally, rounding out JVCs HD offerings are the Everio GZ-HM320 and GZ-HM300: each sport 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensors, 20× optical zooms, advanced image stabilization, face detection, and time-lapse and auto-record modes. The main difference between the units is that the HM320 offers 8 GB of flash storage along with an SD/SDHC card slot. Both should be available in February for $449.95 and $399.95, respectively.
