JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Ease of Use (6.0)

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 stabilisation, 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.

All options are located under the main menu...		... but there are numerous submenus as well.

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.

Handling (7.0)

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.

The control dial isn't great, but it is a lot more precise than the Laser Touch Strip.		The Laser Touch Strip definitely takes some getting used to.

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.

The GZ-HM1 doesn't have the most comfortable grip.

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.

You have to squeeze your fingers together to avoid rubbing your pinky up against the built-in mic near the front of the camcorder.

The presence of the Laser Touch Strip does make the GZ-HM1 the only major flagship camcorder to not utilise a touch-screen 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.

The GZ-HM1 is the same exact size and weight as last year's JVC GZ-HM400.

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 customisable button (the 'User' button) that can be set to a variety of functions.

Stabilisation (9.5)

The GZ-HM1 is equipped with an optical image stabilisation system (OIS), and the camcorder also has an additional stabilisation called Active mode. According to JVC, Active mode should offer more stabilisation 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 stabilisation.)

JVC GZ-HM1 Stabilisation Effectiveness

66% correction at low shake (above) 57% correction at high shake (below)

The stabilisation 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).

Stabilisation Score Comparison		Compare the JVC GZ-HM1 to the Panasonic HDC-TM700
		Compare the JVC GZ-HM1 to the Canon HF S21
		Compare the JVC GZ-HM1 to the JVC GZ-HM400

Portability (6.47)

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.

	JVC GZ-HM1	Panasonic HDC-TM700	Canon HF S21	JVC GZ-HM400
Primary Media	64GB internal flash memory	32GB internal flash memory	64GB internal flash memory	32GB internal flash memory
Secondary Media	SD/SDHC memory card	SD/SDHC memory card	2x SD/SDHC card slots	SD/SDHC memory card
Weight	485g (with battery)	440g (with battery)	520g (with battery)	485g (with battery)
Size	67 x 72 x 141mm	66 x 69 x138mm	75 x 74 x 148mm	67 x 72 x 141mm

Battery Life (8.35)

The GZ-HM1 passed our battery life test with flying colours. 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.

Battery Life Comparisons

The camcorder was able to continually record for a whopping 167 minutes when we tested it with JVC's provided battery pack.

LCD & Viewfinder (8.07)

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 2.8-inch LCD has lackluster specs for a flagship camcorder.

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 touch-screen interface. Instead, the HM1 uses JVC's Laser Touch strip for menu navigation and adjusting certain manual controls. The strip is similar to a touch-screen 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.

	JVC GZ-HM1	Panasonic HDC-TM700	Canon HF S21	JVC GZ-HM400
LCD Size	2.8 inches	3 inches	3.5 inches	2.8 inches
LCD Resolution	207,000 pixels	230,400 pixels	922,000 pixels	207,000 pixels
Touchscreen	No	Yes	Yes	No
Viewfinder	No	Yes	Yes	No

JVC GZ-HM1 Comparisons
Panasonic HDC-TM700	Canon HF S21	JVC GZ-HM400