JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Still Features (14.0)

We're not sure if 'loaded' is the best term to describe the GZ-HM1's amount of still features, but one thing is clear: the HM1 does have more still image controls than most consumer camcorders. In addition to the camcorder's native 10-megapixel still image capability, the GZ-HM1 also has a built-in flash, multiple continuous shooting modes, three self-timers (including one that snaps a photo when a new face is detected), and manual ISO control. The GZ-HM1 also has a number of image size options (offering both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios), and all of the manual controls that are available in video mode can also be set in photo mode on the camcorder.

The built-in flash has a red-eye reduction setting.		The photo/video mode switch is inside the LCD cavity.

Whether all these still features will be any use to you is another question entirely, but we must say that the GZ-HM1 is one of the most impressive camcorders we've seen when it comes to still image performance. Is the camcorder as good at snapping photos as a dedicated digital camera? Not quite... but it does come close.

Still Colour (11.74)

The GZ-HM1 did well in our still colour test, coming in with a colour error of 2.98 and a saturation level of 106.4%. You might notice that these numbers are a notch better than what the camcorder registered in our bright light video testing, but that isn't too unusual—all of the other camcorders in this testing set showed the same phenomenon.  (More on how we test still colour.)

The still photography colour error map: the length and direction of each line indicates how the camcorder processed each particular colour.

Looking at the comparison images below, you'll see that the GZ-HM1's sample still photo looks very similar to what we took with the JVC GZ-HM400 before it (although the HM400's image is a tad darker). We like the quality of the HM1's still photos very much—the colours are deep and vivid and the image is very sharp. The GZ-HM1 (along with the GZ-HM400) is one of the best camcorders we've ever reviewed when it comes to overall still image performance.

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

Still Colour 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

Still Noise (3.06)

In our still noise test, the GZ-HM1 averaged 0.97% noise. Ideally, we'd like this noise level to be a bit lower, but it is really no different (in fact, it's better) than the numbers put up by most camcorders in this test. Of the competitors in this set, only the Panasonic HDC-TM700 had lower noise levels in its still images than the JVC GZ-HM1.  (More on how we test still noise.)

Still Noise 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

Still Sharpness (9.48)

Still sharpness is probably the most important of our three still image tests because it gives us a good idea of how much detail the camcorder is capable of capturing in its photographs. The JVC GZ-HM1 measured a horizontal sharpness of 2262 lw/ph with 13.4% oversharpening and a corresponding vertical sharpness of 1703 lw/ph with 0.8% undersharpening. These numbers are very good—and they match what we measured on the JVC GZ-HM400 previously—but we expected the sharpness numbers to be a bit higher. The GZ-HM1 does, after all, boast a 10.62 megapixel resolution, which is nearly as high as what you'll find on most digital cameras. (More on how we test still sharpness.)

Still Sharpness 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