Looking for a camcorder to record your growing child's firsts? The GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder from JVC gives you true 1920 x 1080/60i recording, to your choice of the 60GB HDD or to microSD/SDHC memory cards. Every memory will come across beautiful and life-like on your HDTV, thanks to the 1/4.1" 3.05MP CMOS sensor, GENESSA processing, and the HD Gigabrid Premium video engine. The KONICA MINOLTA HD lens and 2.7" LCD help by giving you a lens specially designed for capturing HD video and a wide display on which to compose and playback your video. Let's not forget the AVCHD UXP mode with a bit rate of up to 24Mbps, for improved clarity and detail.
While you're out capturing all those videos, you'll probably want to shoot some photos as well. Don't worry about having to lug around a camera too; the HD300 doubles a digital still camera that boasts 1920 x 1080 resolution and Face Detection technology.
When you're ready to share little Johnny's first steps, uploading the special moment to the Internet, is easy. The camcorder features One-Touch Export to iTunes and One-Touch Upload to YouTube - taking the hassle out of the entire sharing process. The HD300 also features Direct DVD, which makes burning your video to DVD on your computer as simple as it gets.
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/3" 2.68Mp CMOS |
| Lens |
Focal length=4.5-45mm f/stop=1.8-2.2 |
| Zoom |
10x Optical 200x Digital |
| Filter Size | 30.5mm |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| System | NTSC |
| Format | AVCHD H.264, MPEG-2 |
| Audio | Dolby Digital 2 channel |
| Image Stabilization | Digital image stabilizer (electronic) |
| Lux | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Recording Media |
60GB Hard disk drive MicroSD memory card |
| Recording Time |
60GB HDD AVCHD: XP: 10 hours, EP: 33 hours MPEG-2: FHD: 6 hours, 1440CBR: 6 hours |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
| Display Size | 2.8" |
| Viewfinder | No |
| Camera Features | |
|---|---|
| Manual Controls | White balance, exposure, sharpness, shutter priority, aperture priority, brightness control |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Accessory Shoe | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Yes - flash Yes - light |
| Digital Still Mode | |
|---|---|
| Still Recording Media | micro SDHC cards |
| Resolution |
2432 x 1368 1920 x 1080 1824 x 1386 1440 x 1080 640 x 480 |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Inputs | N/A |
| Output |
A/V out Component out HDMI mini USB (type A & type B) USB 2.0 |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Headphone Jack | No |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Languages | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Compatible Operating Systems |
Windows XP Mac OS X 10.4.4-10.4.8 (via plug-in for MPEG-2 files to be used with iMovie HD 6 & Final Cut Pro 5 or 6) |
| Power Requirements | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2 13/16 x 2 11/16 x 4 7/8" (71 x 68 x 123mm) |
| Weight |
0.98 lbs (440g) 1.16 lbs (525g) with BN-VF815 battery |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 7 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-7
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
This is a terrible camcorder!!!! I bought it from [@] just before my daughter was born. Told the salesman I wanted something super easy to use, and this is what he recommended. It has been an absolute nightmare! First, the software is very poor. I couldn't even pay a professional camera place to transfer footage to dvd for me. They said it was nearly impossible. Then I had to go in and buy the JVC machine that transfers data to dvd for [$] It worked for a time, but now says the disc in incompatible. Battery worked ok when first bought , but before long charge would only last about 3 min. I am extremely dissapointed with this purchase and will never buy another JVC product again. I have missed out on capturing so many priceless moments because of this poorly made camcorder. First crawl, first steps, first words. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
Was willing to get a camcorder for casual use. More specificaly, due to save special moments forever. Things those, pitcures can't do.
I'm enjoying this model very much so far. Haven't gone into editions and/or further appliances, but believe it fits well to what i was looking for and what i could afford at the moment.
Image is very good, zoom capacity could be higher and data transfer seems to be easy for me.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
I bought this camcorder before the birth of my daughter to use at the hospital and to film my older kids doing what they do. The other reviewers were right about the film quality - when you are outdoors the quality is amazing, when you indoors it is just so-so. The camera is easy to use and is incredibly small. Many revieweres have complained about the files produced by HD camcorders not playing on PCs. I installed the included software on my Windows 7 machine at home and my videos play right in Windows Media Player. That was a pleasant surprise. The one negative that I didn't see in any other reviews is the battery life. I have used it pretty lightly so far and have already had to charge it several times. If you were filming an event like a soccer game or something I doubt the battery would make it through.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
I am a novice and have only had the unit for about 2 weeks. It does what it says it will do. I recorded the first time under the default settings and plyed it back on my HD Plasma TV and it looked quite grainy. I then looked at the setting and found that the component output is set at 480P by default. I changed that and it improved drastically. I have to purchase a mini HDMI cable to fully utilize the 1080P output because the component output is 1080I. The unit is small compact and easy to use. I have not had any other problems with the unit.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
I used it to take an indoor video. The picture quality was just as poor as the regular definition, or even worse. Oh, the battery life was not good either.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
Works well, in auto, manual mode is difficult, but not planning on doing anything fancy. No mic port, so you only have the on board mics. Software is not great, but works OK, and is fairly easy to use. I'm impressed with the picture quality.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC GZ-HD300 Everio High Definition Hard Disk Camcorder (Onyx Black):
Wanted camera for home/family use.
Size is great and appears sturdy, fits in hand well.
Picture quality is very poor unless in direct sunlight, files difficult to transfer to computer, supplied software is poor.
Am planning to return, would rate it zero if I could.
Displaying reviews 1-7