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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Colour & Noise Performance
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03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Compression & Media
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06.Manual Controls
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07.Still Features
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08.Handling & Use
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09.Playback & Connectivity
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10.Audio & Other Features
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11.Panasonic HDC-TM700 Comparison
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12.Canon HF S21 Comparison
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13.JVC GZ-HM400 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Specs and Ratings
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16.Comments
JVC Everio GZ-HM1
Previous: Part 12
Canon HF S21 ComparisonNext: Part 14
Conclusion
JVC GZ-HM1 versus JVC GZ-HM400
• The £200 price increase might be worth it: the GZ-HM1 is a far superior camcorder to the GZ-HM400.
• Improved low light performance is the main advantage of the GZ-HM1 (thanks to the back-illuminated sensor).
• The GZ-HM1 also features double the internal memory and a few new settings (like Time Lapse Record).
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.
| Comparison Specs | ||
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| JVC GZ-HM1 | JVC GZ-HM400 | |
| Price | £1,093 | £749.99 |
| Primary Recording Media | 64GB internal flash memory | 32GB internal flash memory |
| Secondary Recording Media | SD/SDHC memory card | SD/SDHC memory card |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.3-inch CMOS | 1.233 inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixel Count | Unknown (gross pixel count: 10.62 megapixels) |
Unknown (gross pixel count: 10.3 megapixels) |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | 2.8-inch with 207,000 pixels | 2.8-inch with 207,000 pixels |
| Viewfinder | No | No |
| Weight | 485g | 485g |
| Dimensions | 67 x 72 x 141mm | 67 x 72 x 141mm |
| HD | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rates | 1080/50i (with three low-quality slow motion modes) | 1080/50i (with three low-quality slow motion modes) |
| Compression | AVCHD | AVCHD |
| Maximum Bitrate | 24Mbps | 24Mbps |
| Optical Zoom | 10x | 10x |
| Stabilisation | Optical with active mode | Optical |
| Scores | ||
| JVC GZ-HM1 | JVC GZ-HM400 | |
| Colour | 9.86 | 9.89 |
| Noise | 11.32 | 9.59 |
| Video Sharpness | 12.53 | 12.53 |
| Low Light Sensitivity | 2.77 | 0.21 |
| Low Light Colour | 5.7 | 5.67 |
| Low Light Noise | 9.75 | 7.14 |
| Stabilisation | 9.5 | 7.53 |
| Battery Life | 167 minutes | 163 minutes |
| Low Light Comparison | |
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| JVC GZ-HM1 | JVC GZ-HM400 |
| Low Light Noise Score Comparison |
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