Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 JVC GZ-MG255 has best Superior Low Light Performance because of largest F 1.2 lens April 14, 2007
199 out of 205 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3807VA2C1Z2ON Here is a 11 second video clip ".MOD" file straight from my camcorder that I took in April 2007 at a dimly lighted nightclub at closing time. The camcorder setting is Full "Auto" mode, in 4:3 Aspect, 30 frames/sec (I am not using any "Manual" settings such as "Night Alive".) The back wall is a full width mirror and is reflecting and showing a small TV screen on left side, and the main entrance door. (My formerly owned Sony DCR-SR80 and Sony DCR-SR82 hard disk drive camcorders would not have been able to take a good video like this.) (Note: This 11 second video was originally 6,200 KB when I uploaded and was very clear and sharp, but after upload Amazon condensed this video 1/10 its original size to 560 KB to "FLV" Flash, RealPlayer video format, and so the viewing quality is reduced.)
My JVC GZ-MG255 camcorder, when compared to below 20 other camcorders, has Superior Low Light Performance, because of its largest F 1.2 lens, and large 1/4 inch CCD.
Rank #1: Best, Superior Low Light Performance.
-- JVC GZ-MG255: Zoom 10X. F1.2 lens; 1/4 inch CCD, Gross 2.18 MP, Effective 1.23 MP = 1280x960.
Rank #2:
-- Sony DCR-SR200: Zoom 10X. F1.8 lens; 1/3" CMOS, Gross 2.1 MP, Effective 1.08 MP = 1200x900.
Rank #3:
-- Panasonic SDR-H200: Zoom 10X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" 3-CCD, Gross 0.80 MP X 3CCD, Effective 0.64 MP X 3CCD.
Rank #4:
-- JVC GZ-MG155: Zoom 32X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR85 (New 2008): Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6 inch CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR65 (New 2008): Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR82: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR62: Zoom 25X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR80: Zoom 12X. F1.8 lens; 1/5.5" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
-- Sony DCR-SR60: Zoom 12X. F1.8 lens; 1/5.5" CCD, Gross 1.07 MP, Effective 0.69 MP = 960x720.
Rank #5:
-- JVC GZ-MG365 (New 2008): Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- JVC GZ-MG360 (New 2008): Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- JVC GZ-MG335 (New 2008): Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- JVC GZ-MG330 (New 2008): Zoom 35X. F1.8 lens, 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- Panasonic SDR-H18: Zoom 32X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- Sony DCR-SR45 (New 2008): Zoom 40X. F1.8 lens; 1/8" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- Sony DCR-SR42: Zoom 40X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- Sony DCR-SR40: Zoom 20X. F1.8 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
Rank #6:
-- JVC GZ-MG130: Zoom 34X. F2.0 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.68 MP, Effective 0.34 MP = 640x480.
-- Panasonic SDR-H60 (New 2008): Zoom 50X. F2.0 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.80 MP, Effective 0.40 MP = 640x480.
-- Panasonic SDR-H40 (New 2008): Zoom 42X. F1.9 lens; 1/6" CCD, Gross 0.80 MP, Effective 0.40 MP = 640x480.
My footnotes for these Technical Specifications Facts:
1) These facts are from the Internet and User Manuals, and I challenge anyone to find my facts to be wrong.
2) F1.2 lens is larger aperture than F1.8 lens, and F1.2 captures two times the light.
3) "MP" = Mega Pixels = 1,000,000 pixels = 1,000 KP.
4) "Gross" MP is the total pixels on CCD sensor, but not all Gross total pixels are used for actual video recording through lens.
5) "Effective" MP is an industry camcorder comparison standard, and is the actual pixels through the lens that is used for recording.
6) For fair comparison, only listed "Effective" MP for 4:3 Aspect. ( And not 16:9 Aspect. )
7) Only comparing video recording in full "Automatic" mode. ( And not using "Manual" low light aperture or shutter settings. )
8) Only comparing mid-priced hard disk drive camcorders in "Standard Definition". ( And not "High Definition". )
9) For equal comparisons, I am only listing "Optical" Zoom (and not "Digital" Zoom).
10) Do not get fooled by the manufacturer's current optical zoom "game" or "contest". Manufacturers are now making new 2008 camcorders with the highest optical zoom. For Low Light Performance, a zoom "bigger" is NOT "better". A lower zoom 10X means better Low Light Performance, and more complex lens, and more expensive lens. The higher zoom 25X, 34X, 40X means poorer Low Light Performance, less complex lens, and less expensive lens. Probably a rule of thumb, is that the higher the zoom, then the lower lens complexity, and the poorer Low Light Performance. Also, "zoom" is not a same "standard" for all camcorders; zoom is the ratio of the lowest focal length ("wide" setting) and the highest focal length (at highest zoom), and is like comparing "apple" and "oranges" for different camcorders models. The better, more expensive, camcorders will have 10X zoom (and that is fine with me).
February 2007: I purchased a new Sony DCR-SR80 F1.8 lens, 1/5.5 inch 1 MP CCD hard disk drive camcorder. For a week at home, I tested and took many videos in bright light and in low light. The bright light videos were okay, but the low light videos were very poor and grainy and very disappointing, and therefore I returned the Sony DCR-SR80 for a refund (and decided to buy the "just released" newer Sony DCR-SR82 below).
March 2007: I purchased a new, just released 2007 model, Sony DCR-SR82 F1.8 lens, 1/6 inch 1 MP CCD hard disk drive camcorder. For a week at home, I tested and took many videos in bright light and in low light. The bright light videos were okay, but the low light videos were very poor and grainly and very disappointing, and therefore, I returned the Sony DCR-SR82 for a refund. I was especially looking for a camcorder to record videos in low light like indoors, dim light ballrooms, etc. Specific reason, was that the Sony DCR-SR82, during a dim light ballroom, and when I switched from the Sony "Night Shot Plus" to the infrared "Super Night Shot Plus", that my my previously focused dim light people, then became very blurry and unfocused, due to lost of Autofocus. I made more tests at an outside street at nightime with some lighted night street lamps, and the same disappointing "loss of focus" happened, and everything became blurry and unfocused when I switched from "Night Shot Plus" to the infrared "Super Night Shot Plus". I was very unhappy with this Sony DVR-SR82 "loss of focus", and so I returned it.
April 2007: I purchased my JVC GZ-MG255 F1.2 lens, 1/4 inch 2.18 MP CCD camcorder due to JVC's advertisement that the JVC GZ-MG255 has "Superior Low Light Performance" because of its largest "F1.2" lens. I made many home test videos with my JVC GZ-MG255 in bright light and in low light. My JVC GZ-MG255 bright light videos were, and still are, very great in color and look absolutely very beautiful. And the JVC GZ-MG255 low light videos were, and still are, comparatively very good, and much better than my two returned Sony DCR-SR82 and SR80 camcorders.
JVC GZ-MG255 GOOD THINGS:
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has the largest F1.2 lens which captures two times more light than the other smaller F1.8 camcorders, and larger 1/4 inch, 2.1 MP CCD for great low light video recordings.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 comes with a Remote Control (size 3 1/2 x 1 5/8 inches) can: 1) Turn Record On and Off; 2) Zoom Video; 3) Snap Still photos; 4) Video Play, Pause, Forward, Reverse.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 videos tracks and audio tracks are exactly synchronized.
+ I like my JVC GZ-MG255 "Stick Control" better than the Sony DCR-SR80 / DCR-SR82 "Touch Screen".
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a USB jack built into the front of the camcorder, and that is always 100% accessible, and also a USB jack on the docking station. (The Panasonic SDR-H18/H200 USB jack is hidden under its battery, and its battery must be removed to connect USB.) (The Sony DCR-SR80/SR82 do not have a USB jack on the camcorder, but is only on the docking station.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a built-in manual internal sliding lens cover. Also, I purchased and use an extra external snap-in lens cover, as extra protection.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 takes good 2 MP still pictures. (The Sony DCR-SR80/SR82 takes lower resolution 1 MP still pictures.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has a built-in great very bright white light Flash for taking still pictures. And with a 10 second Flash self-timer. (The Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not have a built-in Flash for still pictures.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 also can use SD/SDHC 4 GB memory cards to record BOTH videos AND still pictures. (Sony DCR-SR82 can use a Memory Stick Duo card to record still pictures, but CAN NOT record videos. The Sony DCR-SR80 can not use any memory card.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has "Quick Re-Start" which turns on camcorder in one second when the LCD is re-opened.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has great low light manual feature setting called "Night Alive" which increases brightness of low light videos. Note: This GZ-MG255 review is based on using the full "Auto" mode for low light recording which turns "Night Alive" off; I do not use "Night Alive" for low light recording since the "Auto" mode is good enough for low light video recording, and is more "natural".
+ JVC GZ-MG255 comes with a convenient neck strap, to help minimize accidental dropping. (The Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not come with a neck strap.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has Firewire (aka, i-Link, IE-1394) jack on the JVC Docking station. (Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 do not have Firewire jack.)
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has "Analog Input", which can input and record your old VHS tapes into the camcorder, and turn them into digital format files.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 Instruction Book is available free at the JVC website.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has 10X optical zoom. And 40X and 300X digital zoom, and I am satisfied with my JVC optical and digital zoom quality. The Sony 12X DCR-SR80 and 25X SR82 has higher optical zooms. However, I like my JVC GZ-MG255 better due to its better low light video recordings.
+ Why the lower JVC 10X versus the higher Sony 12X/25X optical zoom? Answer: the JVC has larger F1.2 lens which only permits 10X optical zoom; and the Sony has smaller F1.8 lens which permits 25X optical zoom.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 records videos in Standard Definition (SD), which is fine with me. I am satisfied with Standard Definition. I do not want High Definition (HD) because it requires two to three times more bytes per second space on the hard drive. HD may cause people to be unhappy because HD shows every facial flaw and body imperfections. SD smooths out and hides any facial flaws.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has 30 GB hard drive, and is fine for me. The Sony DCR-SR80 and SR82 have larger 60 GB hard drives. However, I prefer my JVC GZ-MG255 because of its superior low light video recordings.
+ JVC GZ-MG255 comes with a "70 minute" JVC BN-VF808 Data Battery. I purchased four more larger "150 minute" JVC BN-VF815 batteries (which are twice the capacity of the VF808) for recording long events like weddings.
+ "Mod" files are no problem. "Mod" files are actually newer, but are still standard MPEG format, but which some older software may not recognize. Just rename and add ".MPG" to the Mod filename to use. I have made hundreds of DVD+R's from my JVC GZ-MG255 low light videos "Mod" files. To make DVD's, I purchased and use Nero 8. I also purchased and own Premiere Elements 3.0; VideoStudio 9 and 11; ShowBiz DVD2; DVD Movie Factory 2; AutoProducer 5; DivX Author 1.5, AVS Bundle including AVS Video Editor. I use the free "SDCopy.exe" by "Sektionschef" to set the 16:9 Flag (it does not "convert" the video file format).
+ JVC GZ-MG255 has four video "Quality" setting choices:
-- 1) Ultra Fine . (DVD Movie) .. 720x480, 8.5 Mbps, 7 hours.
-- 2) Fine ........ (DVD) .......... 720x480, 5.5 Mbps, 10 hours. (Factory Setting is "Fine")
-- 3) Normal ..... (TV) ........... 720x480, 4.2 Mbps, 14 hours. (I use "Normal")
-- 4) Economy .. (Internet) .... 352x240, 1.5 Mbps, 37 hours.
(I just use "Normal" because I can not visually tell the difference between "Fine" and "Ultra Fine" modes, and the higher modes will use up more computer hard drive space. The higher modes are probably better, but the "Normal" is good enough for me, and uses less hard drive space bytes per second.)
December 2007 Update: Yes, I have seen the two "professional" reviews:
1) I disagree with the May 21, 2007 Review of JVC GZ-MG255 by Will Greenwald on CNET, in which he said the JVC GZ-MG255 was "terrible for low-light shooting", and "fares horribly in low light". I disagree with Greenwald, and I say he is wrong, because he did not review and did not compare the other 20 camcorders on my list of 21 camcorders, and he only reviewed JVC GZ-MG255 and the higher model JVC GZ-MG555. I bet that if he reviewed all the 21 camcorders on my list, that he would have ranked the JVC GZ-MG255 at the top of the list for better Low Light Performance.
2) I agree with the Aug. 16, 2007 Review of JVC GZ-MG255 by Michael Perlman at CamcorderInfoDOTcom, in which he says "The GZ-MG255 will grace you with improved handling and superior low light performance". Perlman's Review is more positive of the JVC GZ-MG255. Also, CamcorderInfoDOTcom has better, more objective standards of comparisons using video charts.
January 2008 Update: I just looked at the JVC website and the new 2008 model JVC hard drive camcorders, and the new 2008 models are all mostly smaller F1.8 lens (and apparently no more F1.2 lens) and the highest model GZ-MG730 had a smaller F3.5 lens. So the JVC GZ-MG255 is the only one with the largest F1.2 lens.)
February 2008 Update: I disagree with Amazon suggesting that the JVC GZ-MG "255" has a "newer" model of the JVC GZ-MG "335". The JVC GZ-MG255 does not have newer 2008 model. The JVC GZ-MG255 is the best, and is in a special class of its own due to its largest F1.2 lens, and Superior Low Light Performance. (I tried to contact Amazon using the "Update" form below, but my suggestion was "rejected", so I give up.)
December 2008: I am still glad that I purchased this JVC GZ-MG255 camcorder because it has best Superior Low Light Performance. The JVC GZ-MG255 is not manufactured anymore, so Supply and Demand will determine price and availability. Comparatively, I like the simplicity of making Standard Definition DVDs (and I am not interested in High Definition complexities such as 2 to 3 times storage space and software problems). I have seen the latest hard drive and flash memory camcorders and I would still buy the JVC GZ-MG255; and I would not buy the 20 camcorders on my comparison list, nor 1) all High Definition camcorders, 2) JVC GZ-MG555, 3) JVC GZ-MG730, nor any 3-CCD, nor others.
January 2009: Now since this hard-to-find JVC GZ-MG255 is now completely sold out at Amazon, it may probably be okay for me to reveal to you that Sears online has this rare camcorder "in stock" and new at the regular list price MSRP of $699.99 (Supply and Demand), and is still a good value.
Mac Users Rejoice June 3, 2007
39 out of 43 found this review helpful
Although missing from the product description, this camera (via the included dock) has Firewire. So I got a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable, hooked up to my Mac, and iMovie instantly recognized the camera and imported the clips. No conversion or intermediate steps required. This capability also comes standard with the GZMG155, but the 255 has superior resolution and a flash instead of the light. I started with the GZMG130, but the still camera was worthless. The 255 has great capability for video and stills. The USB port is still available for file transfer, and iPhoto opens right up when you connect.
JVC Everio GZ MG255U February 10, 2008
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I rarely post reviews like this, but I put allot of time into purchasing this camera and I am sure there are other people out there in the same boat as I was. I wanted a camera for the primary purpose of shooting some video of my newborn son. I wanted to be able to quickly edit the clips and I wanted to be able to easily get the clips onto sites like YouTube. Compared to what is out there I am not aware of a better camera for this purpose.
This is the first camcorder that I have ever purchased. I have used many, even going all the way back to ones that recorded on a full size VHS tape and hung on your shoulder. The times surely have changed. For my purposes this camera is absolutely perfect. I have a few very minor gripes, but overall I could not be more happy with it.
PROS: Controls: They are easy to navigate and make sense even to a novice.
Size: This thing is as tiny as people describe. It fits into the palm of my hand and even fits into my pocket with ease.
Connections: Everything from a flash card, to USB, to firewire. I am not aware of another camera out there with as man connections as this one.
Price: The cost of this thing has dropped considerably. I picked mine up off of e bay for 340. A pretty sweet deal I think. When you start to factor in the cost of other formats, tapes dvr's, etc. I think it is a no-brainer to go HDD.
CONS: The dreaded .mod file. This next paragraph will save you hours and hours of time. Yes, this camera records in .mod in some apparent trick to get you to commit to JVC's software package which based on every review I have read stinks more than seeing the Giants win the Superbowl. Fear not though, because I have spent the better part of a snowy day bashing through this dreaded format. Do some searches and you will find more than enough information than you need to circumvent this file issue, but if you want to save your time searching here are the steps that I use.
1.Rename the files from .mod to .mpg A program such as (better file rename) makes this time consuming task an absolute breeze. You will have it done in seconds.
2.Delete the .moi files (you do not need them).
3.I have successfully been using NeroVision from Nero 7 Ultra Edition. It works well and is quite simple. You can edit your clips, add effects, and do whatever you want with them. I believe you can obtain this version on the cheap now.
4.The pause button. When you pause and restart it starts a new file, so later you end up with many files if you pause often. (This a minor annoyance).
I have read this camera getting pretty negative reviews other places and I just cannot see why. Granted I am not a professional, nor do I calim to be one, but for what I wanted, this camera is perfect. I would not hesitate to purchase one again. If you are on the fence, look no further.
Wow - Very nice and easy to use. January 2, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I recently purchased this camcorder after much research and it has been everything I had hoped. I had a few requirements, compact, inexpensive, easy to use and ability to create DVD's. Well, this camcorder does the trick. Right out of the box, I installed the battery and charged it for a few hours and then began filming. I could not believe the quality, it comes out very nice, even in the low indoor lighting. The still shots I took we not awesome, but about the same as my digital camera. I have yet to see a great indoor/low light picture from a digital camera. The feature that I enjoy the most, is the ease of creating DVD's. I have never worked with video editing software much less make a DVD. You just load the software and plug in your camcorder to the usb cable and follow the prompts. I have to say for the price, this has been a great purchase and would recommend this camcorder.
C681 is DEAD ON - AMEN!!! May 1, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I agree 100% with previous reviews - I tested, side-by-side, the 255, the new 330, and the new 730. Hands-down, under every possible scenario and lighting condition, the older 255 is BY FAR SUPERIOR. C681's review is 100% dead on.
See my review under GZ-MG330 for full details.
BUY THE 255 over any of the newer JVCs - none offer the larger f1.2 lens, and it IS the difference!!!
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