JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Part 3

| | | | | _Canon HF S21_ _click here for large HD version_ _JVC GZ-HM400_ _click here for large HD version_ |

Motion & Sharpness Performance Summary | • The GZ-HM1 managed one of the better motion performances we've seen, although we don't like the fact that the camcorder doesn't offer a 25p or 30p mode. • The camcorder's three high-speed frame rates (for slow motion video) each record at very low quality settings—and the modes have stringent clip length limitations. • Video sharpness was excellent: among the best scores we've seen. | Colour & Noise Performance (Page 4 of 17) Low Light Performance |

• The GZ-HM1 managed one of the better motion performances we've seen, although we don't like the fact that the camcorder doesn't offer a 25p or 30p mode. • The camcorder's three high-speed frame rates (for slow motion video) each record at very low quality settings—and the modes have stringent clip length limitations. • Video sharpness was excellent: among the best scores we've seen. | Colour & Noise Performance (Page 4 of 17) Low Light Performance |

Colour & Noise Performance (Page 4 of 17) Low Light Performance |

Colour & Noise Performance (Page 4 of 17) Low Light Performance |

(Page 4 of 17) Low Light Performance |

Low Light Performance |

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p.   p. The GZ-HM1 did better on this test than last year's GZ-HM400, but the difference wasn't all that huge. Both camcorders had very little artefacting in their motion videos and each produced some of the smoothest video we've seen other than what the Panasonic HDC-TM700 was capable of with its 1080/50p mode. All of the camcorders in this set did very well in this test, with the only big difference between the models being the various frame rates available on each. p.  

JVC GZ-HM1

Panasonic HDC-TM700

Canon HF S21

JVC GZ-HM400 |

Frame Rate(s)

50i

50p, 50i, 25p Digital Cinema Mode

50i, PF30, PF24, 25p (native)

50i |

Artefacting

Very little artefacting—on par with the Panasonic HDC-TM700's 50p mode.

Almost no artefacting noticeable in 1080/50p mode, but 50i settings show some artefacting.

Minimal artefacting; one of the best consumer camcorders in this category

Just a bit more artefacting than the GZ-HM1, but very good performance here overall. |

Smoothness

Video looked incredibly smooth, just like what we saw from the HDC-TM700.

Extremely smooth video, particularly when using 50p mode.

Motion video was very smooth, although not as good as the HDC-TM700's 50p setting.

Smoothness was excellent in our motion test—essentially the same thing that we saw from the GZ-HM1. |

Trailing

There was some trailing in our test video, but not much.

Trailing was noticeable in all shooting modes.

Some trailing was present, but it wasn't a big problem.

A little more trailing than the GZ-HM1, but not much of an issue. |

Frequency Interference

The camcorder's motion test showed no major problems with interference.

We noticed some interference in the black and white pin wheel in our test.

Some minor interference with tight vertical and horizontal lines.

There weren't any signs of interference problems in this test. |

Slow Motion Mode(s)

120fps, 300fps, 600fps low-quality modes

Time Lapse Record

None

120fps, 300fps, 600fps low-quality modes |

p.   p. *Video Sharpness* _(12.53)_

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p. 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 50p 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.) p.  

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_JVC GZ-HM1_ _click here for large HD version_

_Panasonic HDC-TM700_ _click here for large HD version_ |

Video Sharpness Score Comparison		Compare the JVC GZ-HM1 to the Panasonic HDC-TM700 |	|
				Compare the JVC GZ-HM1 to the Canon HF S21 |