JVC Everio GZ-HM1 First Impressions Camcorder Review

Auto Mode

Switch between Manual and Auto mode using a button on the LCD panel. (Careful, though... you have to push the button twice to switch modes.)

The HM1 has an Auto mode, just like last year's models. Auto mode essentially hides the entire Manual Controls menu, forcing the user to rely on the camcorder to automatically select white balance, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure for you. Of course, you could also keep the camcorder in Manual mode and let auto controls do all the work. Or you can choose just a single option to control manually and leave the rest to automatic adjustment.

There didn't seem to be any noticeable difference between the HM1's auto controls and last year's HM400. Autofocus worked well, though sometimes it was slow when we moved from close-up shots to wide angle. Face detection, coupled with AE/AF face priority helps ensure that faces within your frame are sharp.

Auto exposure worked great, adjusting quickly to even the most drastic changes in lighting. Though the shift was always quick, it was never too jarring either. As with the HM400, AE/AF face priority and backlight compensation can help you achieve the exposure that you want.

Last but not least, there's white balance. Among all the auto features, white balance was probably the weakest. The various fluorescent lights on the CES show floor were a bit more that the HM1 could handle. Fortunately, the manual white balance seems to result in accurate colors.

Low Light Modes
The GZ-HM1 doesn't have any dedicated low light modes. It does have a few scene modes you can use in low light situations (Twilight and Night), or you can turn the camcorder's auto slow shutter on by setting the AGC to Auto.

Scene Modes
The HM1 has the same scene modes that were present on last year's HM1: Portrait, Landscape, Twilight, Night, Snow, Beach, Sports, Spotlight, Fireworks, and Sunset.

Zoom

The HM1 has the same impressive zoom rocker that was on last year's HM400. This control gives an unprecedented amount of control over zoom speed for a consumer camcorder. You can also use the Laser Touch strip as a secondary zoom control, but speed is fixed and the control itself is finicky. We suggest you stick to the excellent zoom rocker.

The fantastic zoom rocker is one of the most unique features of the HM1.

Zoom Ratio

The HM1 offers a 10x optical zoom, 16x dynamic zoom, and digital zoom that can be limited to either 64x or 200x. The 16x digital zoom is an advanced zoom feature that supposedly causes no image degradation. Dynamic zoom is limited to 15x whenever the new Advanced Image Stabilizer is active.

Focus

We were very happy to see the return of last year's excellent control dial. This makes it possible for the user to have extremely precise control over manual focus. If you prefer, you can still use the Laser Touch controls to adjust manual focus. But if you prefer the Laser Touch to the dial, you have eccentric tastes indeed. As with last year's HM400, there is a focus assist tool to aid you in performing an accurate manual focus.

Exposure

Exposure can be controlled manually, with either the Laser Touch controls or dial. To use the dial for adjusting exposure, you have to flip a small switch located on the dial itself. While scrolling with the dial, a bar display appears on the left side of the LCD that shows you how much of an adjustment you've made to the exposure.

If you'd prefer to rely on auto exposure, you can restrict the camcorder to whole screen or spot metering.

Aperture

Aperture can only be controlled in aperture priority mode, which means you can manually set the aperture while the camcorder automatically adjusts the shutter speed accordingly. Once you've entered Aperture Priority mode, you can use either the dial or the Laser Touch strip to select one of four aperture settings. The widest aperture available is f/2.8.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed may be manually selected in Shutter Priority mode. A small 'S' button on the top of the camcorder allows you to select this mode, in which thirteen options are available. Once shutter priority mode is activated, the Laser Touch panel is used to select a shutter speed.

White Balance

Three white balance presets are available in addition to auto and manual. The manual white balance setting seemed to work fine on the show floor, so hopefully JVC has improved this processing since last year. Unfortunately, the manual white balance is still confusing to operate, as it requires the user to use the Laser Touch strip in an unusual fashion.

Gain

There's no direct gain control on the GZ-HM1, but it does offer JVC's usual choice between AGC auto, on, and off. AGC (Auto Gain Control) is simply the automatic gain shift that the camcorder typically engages in dimmer lighting scenarios. Turning AGC off entirely mean that there will be no gain employed at all. Even in moderately low light, footage is very dark with AGC off.

When AGC is set to auto, the camcorder will use as much gain as it thinks is necessary, including activating an auto slow shutter. AGC on will accomplish the same thing, only it will not resort to auto slow shutter. The HM1 does have ISO control, but only for photos in still mode.

Color & Image Controls

The HM1 seems to have the same color and image controls as last year's GZ-HM400:

Other Manual Controls