JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Auto Mode (8.8)

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 touch-screen 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 centre 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 discolouration 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.

Zoom (8.5)

The GZ-HM1 has the same large, top-mounted zoom rocker that we loved using on last year's JVC GZ-HM400. The rocker is great for adjusting zoom speed variably because its design allows you to easily control how much pressure you apply to the rocker. The only downside is that you must use two fingers to zoom comfortably with the rocker—something you don't have to worry about with a traditional zoom toggle.

The zoom rocker is quite handy for controlling zoom speed.

You can also use the Laser Touch Strip to adjust zoom on the GZ-HM1, but this method isn't very effective. Using the strip does not allow you to control zoom speed variably (the zoom will remain at a constant, slow speed), and it is definitely not as precise or as sensitive as the zoom rocker.

Zoom Ratio (3.77)

The GZ-HM1 has a 10x optical zoom lens. There are a few flagship models out there with slightly larger optical zooms than this (like the 12x zoom on the Panasonic HDC-TM700), but, for the most part, high-end HD models are usually outfitted with 10x optical zooms. Many mid-range HD models have much higher zoom ratios (up to 30x or so).

In addition to the 10x optical zoom, the GZ-HM1 also has a 16x dynamic zoom setting that shouldn't result in much loss of image quality when used. There's also a 200x digital zoom option, but using that setting will degrade the quality of your recorded video.

Zoom Comparisons
Wide Angle	Mid Zoom	10x Zoom

Focus (8.0)

It's quite easy to adjust focus manually on the GZ-HM1, but the camcorder's front-mounted control dial isn't as well-designed as the dials and rings you'll find on flagship camcorders from other manufacturers. The dial on the GZ-HM1 is a bit too slick, which makes it difficult to adjust focus in a smooth, precise manner. You can also set focus using the Laser Touch Strip if you want to, but we found that system to be more frustrating than the control dial.

On the bright side, the GZ-HM1 is equipped with a peaking feature to assist with manual focus. With peaking turned on, the camcorder will highlight the edges of your subject with fine, colourful specks. As you focus, the specks become crisper when your image is focused properly. The colour of the peaking specks can be set to blue, red, or green in the camcorder's Display Settings menu.

Manual focus adjustment on the JVC GZ-HM1		The control dial can be used to set a variety of controls manually.

Exposure (7.5)

Basic exposure can be set by flipping the small switch near the front of the camcorder (behind the control dial) to 'Bright.' After doing this, a vertical bar appears on the LCD and you can use the control dial or Laser Touch strip to adjust the exposure setting. Flipping the switch back to 'Bright' again will return the camcorder to automatic exposure control.

Exposure control on the JVC GZ-HM1

Exposure Control Comparison JVC GZ-HM1 -6 to +6 (13 increments) Panasonic HDC-TM700 -5 to +5 (11 increments) Canon HF S21 -11 to +11 (23 increments) JVC GZ-HM400 -6 to +6 (13 increments)

Aperture (7.0)

You can set aperture values manually on the GZ-HM1, but the camcorder only has four different aperture values available. This pales in comparison to the multiple f-stop values that you can choose from on the Panasonic HDC-TM700 and Canon HF S21. To set the aperture manually on the GZ-HM1, you must press the 'A' button on the top of the camcorder and then use the control dial or Laser Touch strip to change the f-stop value. You can set aperture independently from shutter speed this way, but you have to switch between the controls by pressing the 'A' and 'S' buttons on the top of the camcorder.

Aperture control on the JVC GZ-HM1

Aperture Control Comparison JVC GZ-HM1 Manual Aperture: f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4, f/5.6 Panasonic HDC-TM700 Manual Aperture: f/1.5 (open), f/1.7, f/2.0, f/2.4, f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.8, f/8.0, f/9.6, f/11, f/14, f/16 Canon HF S21 Aperture Priority Mode: f/1.8, f/2.0, f/2.4, f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.7, f/8.0 JVC GZ-HM400 Aperture Priority Mode: f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4, f/5.6

Shutter Speed (9.6)

Thankfully, the GZ-HM1 has more shutter speed options than it does aperture controls—including five shutter speeds below 1/30 of a second that can be chosen manually. Shutter speed is set in almost the exact same way as aperture on the GZ-HM1. Instead of pushing the 'A' button on the top of the camcorder, you select the 'S' button. You can then begin manually adjusting the shutter speed using the Laser Touch Strip or the control dial.

Shutter speed control on the JVC GZ-HM1

Shutter Speed Control Comparison JVC GZ-HM1 Manual Shutter Speed: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/80, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000 Panasonic HDC-TM700 Manual Shutter Speed: 1/50, 1/100, 1/120, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, 1/8000 (plus 1/30 with Auto Slow Shutter) Canon HF S21 Shutter Priority Mode: 1/2, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 JVC GZ-HM400 Shutter Priority Mode: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/80, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000

White Balance (7.25)

There's only a few white balance presets on the GZ-HM1, but the camcorder does have the all-important manual white balance option. Unfortunately, the manual white balance feature is a bit confusing to use: you must press and hold the white balance button while the camcorder manually adjusts the colour tones. With most camcorders, you simply tap the white balance button once and let the camcorder do its thing. If you do this on the GZ-HM1, however, you might end up thinking that you've successfully set the white balance, but in reality, you've done nothing.

White Balance options on the JVC GZ-HM1

White Balance Control Comparison JVC GZ-HM1 Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, Halogen Panasonic HDC-TM700 Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor 1, Indoor 2, Manual, WB Shift Canon HF S21 Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom JVC GZ-HM400 Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, Halogen

Gain (2.0)

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.

The GZ-HM1 allows you to turn AGC on or off.

Gain Control Comparison JVC GZ-HM1 AGC on/off, ISO control in still image mode Panasonic HDC-TM700 Set only when aperture is fully open: 0dB, 3dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, 15dB, 18dB Canon HF S21 AGC Limit can be set to: Auto, 0dB - 24dB in 1dB increments JVC GZ-HM400 AGC on/off, ISO control in still image mode

Colour & Image Controls (4.0)

JVC GZ-HM1 Sharpness Examples
Sharpness -5	Sharpness +5	Auto

Other Manual Controls (3.5)

Manual Controls Summary
Control	JVC GZ-HM1	Panasonic HDC-TM700	Canon HF S21	JVC GZ-HM400
Focus	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exposure	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Aperture	Manual	Manual	Aperture-priority	Aperture-priority
Shutter Speed	Manual	Manual	Shutter-priority	Shutter-priority
White Balance	Manual	Manual, WB Shift	Manual	Manual
Gain	AGC on/off	Manual (with aperture opened fully)	AGC Limiter	AGC on/off