JVC Makes a Surprise Addition to Its HD Everio Lineup: The GZ-HM340

February 2, 2010 – Today, JVC announced one more addition to its high definition camcorder lineup: the Everio GZ-HM340. The HM340 is now the top-of-the-line offering for mid-range flash memory camcorders at JVC. It joins the GZ-HM300 and GZ-HM320, announced last month at CES. The HM340 has 16GB of built-in flash memory and will be available later this month for an MSRP of $499.95.

The 16GB of internal storage will extend possible record times to about 80 minutes on the highest quality. In every other respect, however, the HM340 is identical to the previously announced GZ-HM300 (memory card only) and GZ-HM320 (8GB). All three feature a new 1/5.8-inch, 1.37-megapixel CMOS sensor. The size and resolution of the sensor are a new offering for JVC, but these mid-range models will not get the improved back-illumination technology that the company's high-end camcorder will receive.

The 300-series will, however, get the new Advanced Image Stabilizer, time lapse and auto record features, and two-way grip belt. All three models will also have 20x optical zoom, like last year's mid-range camcorders from JVC.