JVC GY-HM700U - Camcorder ProHD de Estado Sólido

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I bought this camera just as JVC was shipping them with the Canon 14x lens back in 2009. Since then I've tumbled through a series of build quality issues and frustrating optical problems. I use the camera mainly for documentary work.

The chromatic aberration that another purchaser mentioned in his review is hard to ignore. It's not apparent in all situations, but I've learned that I'll never be able to eliminate it fully, no matter how hard I work to avoid it. I'm not at all convinced that this problem stems from the lens alone (I actually really love the Canon lens) Other issues included a faulty viewfinder (which JVC fixed at no charge) and poor audio quality from the provided mic (picks up tons of noise from the camera).

On the other hand I've found this camera to be extremely agreeable on long days of shooting over the shoulder. The much bandied about work flow is also pretty great. I was shooting in Austin, TX just a few days ago on the street and I felt as though the camera had just become part of me. Walking and shooting simultaneously feels natural and easy. Low light issues are pretty normal given that this is a 1/3" chip (get used to using lights, people).

In other words, if JVC could just fix that awful chromatic aberration this would be a good camera. I could excuse the audio issue and a few defects (JVC has been very good with fixing defects) if the camera at least gave me acceptable image quality.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Though I've not had much time to work with this camera yet, the little bit I've been able to do has been wonderful. I love the ability to record to digital clips rather than the whole log and capture process of tape.

The form-factor is wonderful--very easy and comfortable to hold for a long time. Easy to operate controls in the usual professional spots.

Great camera!

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

What should be a good camera is ruined by what the manufacturer calls "slight chromatic aberration". We bought 12 of these, they all seem to have the same purple or green fringing that you'll find on the web. After 20 years in the business I think I know what I'm doing but have been treated poorly by the manufacturer with the after sales support. It took 4 weeks to finally get told this is what it is deal with it. Lens is the Fujinon 17x, but others seem to still have the same problem which points to the camera.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Currently I do weddings and event videos along with indie produced short films. Here are the great things.- amazing form factor- easy menus- great lens with little to no breathing- good size LCD- great codecThe Ugly- included microphone- stock settings- in included tripod plate. At [$] te tripod plate needs to be in the box

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Camera is mainly used in music video and documentary applications. High definition video attracts many clients for my business. [...]

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

After shooting on a DSR 500 the last several years we finally pulled the trigger and purchased the GY-HM700. The day after receiving it, we were already shooting breaking news (forest fires). Could not be happier with:
Image quality - Simply stunning
Form Factor - Felt good right off the bat
Weight - What a relief during run and gun news work. This entire camera w bat and lens weighs less than two of my old batteries.
SDHC Cards - purchased 2 32GB cards for $89 ea. You'll end up wanting several on hand.

Not so good - There is a longer pause after punching record before it is actually recording than I would like. There is a "pre-record" option I'll be turning on to avoid that. It was frustrating trying to shoot fast moving low flying slurry bombers and missing the first second or so.

Highly recommend this camera to anyone that has yet to make the move to HD.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I was amazed on how good the images was for a camera in this price range. and the work-flow is actually a breeze, the JVS software (comes with the camera)can come off a bit clunky, but after the 2nd try it was also a breeze. It is very difficult to go back to tape now that I am working in the(SSD) medium I plan on purchasing another one to complement my more complex shoots. THUMBS WAY UP!

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I am a freelance videographer. This camera is great for documentaries and indy films. The lens is great I don't know how JVC can afford to sell the camera at the price they. I feel like I bought a lens and got a camera for free.
The built in earphone is not placed well and is sort of useless. I was a little worried about going tapeless but know I don't give it a second thought.
I highly recommend this camera.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I made the switch from tape to tapeless recording with this camera and the quality of the pictures and the craftsmanship of this camera are awesome. I use Betacam/SX through work and when I brought in my new JVC GY HM 700u Everyone was impressed. To say that I'm very happy would be an understatement

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

The camera is no doubt one of the best on the market. I just wish I would have known that when you buy this package [...] that it does not come with a battery or a plug in to use it. You have to submit the rebate form for an IDX battery system. That's all well and good but it takes 6-8 WEEKS to get it back in the mail! So now I have a camera and no battery, no charger and no way to use it. Lame.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Will be using this camera on documentaries and is great for its size, weight, versatility, and quality of image!

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Great Camera, well worth the price

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I use the camera for shooting documentaries and general freelance camerawork. So far the tapeless workflow is flawless with Final Cut and the image is astounding. The canon lens is pinsharp. I also have an HM100U and together they are a great combo.

The battery life does not seem to be the best however and some of the controls like the ND filters do not feel very robust. But otherwise I am very happy with the buy.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

It's always a bit unnerving to spend thousands of dollars online for a piece of A/V that you can't actually handle before buying! That's why the first thing I tested with this JVC when it came out of the box was the zoom...and I was quite relieved. I found it to be smooth, steady, and capable of even very gradual zooming.

I do concur with other users who note that extreme low-light performance is a little weak with the gain kicked in, but we do most of our shooting under brighter conditions, and I think it delivers a very nice picture in more conventional settings.

Generous screen size is a plus (I don't feel like I always have to lug a field monitor everywhere now), and menus are readable and intuitive.

Having shot on tape for more than 20 years, it's a real luxury to finally go tapeless, and be able to swap out the cards on the fly (although in the limited shooting we've done so far, it seems to drop a frame or two when it transitions between the two cards). One other minor caution is that it does not accommodate the very common SDHC Class 4 cards: you gotta spring for Class 6 or 10.

Other very minor gripes are that I wish it had a little more powerful zoom, and one more XLR input. But so far, we have no "buyer's remorse" on this camera whatsoever!

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

I'm a 30 year professional shooter.
Its very poor in low light and the camera mic
noise isolation is terrible.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Great camera...I would say it offers the most for the price.Cannon lens gives you plenty of control, camera body is well design. the SDHC cards are not to be underestimated, they are high quality, reliable, and economic media cards. The camera has plenty of options, formats, and frame rates. Great picture quality, specially out doors during daylight, however it is not very good under low light environments...Awesome camera!It's the way to go, Totally worth it...[...]

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Comfortable to Operate, Durable, Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Great Sound, Simple Controls, Versatile

This camera is great is low lights, I get great details in dark areas and shadow, as well as in Highlight. With Picture Profiles I can tweak the heck out of the images that I want to shoot. A High-end Camera perfect As a Feature Filmmaker, Broadcast Television Producer and Events Shooter, It get me everything I could want to do an excellent job. I have done extensive resource before buying the JVC GY-700U, and I have found it to be the best, most versatile camera on the market at its price point. And I have use just about them all.

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

Been using a demo unit for a variety of tasks and I've been very happy with it. I come from a background using full size cameras and I felt right at home on this unit. All switches and adjustments were very nicely laid out and exactly where I expected them to be. The menu-driven camera options are useful, plentiful, and make sense. The picture looks great in full daylight, but can be a little grainy in low light. The viewfinder is pristine along with the flip-out screen. No Issues with using the SD cards. Copied to my FCP edit system and was good to go. Got about 1 hour per 16GB card. Stock lens is pretty decent, although if the budget is available, would recommend something wider with a doubler for a greater range.

Everything that I wondered if this camera was capable of doing, it could, and better than expected. For instance, It has HD-SDI, SD-SDI, Component and Analog out. Within those you can choose between 16x9, Letter Box 4x3 or Center Cut 4x3. Very nice feature.

Interesting note: shooting in full day light, running a 1/64ND filter, I was still at a f16. Doesn't leave much room for adjustments.

Pros:
Light Weight
A Real Lens with manual iris adjustments and servo zoom!
Adjustable Zebra
Spot Meter
Nicely Laid Out
Adjustable Eye piece (left/right, front/back)
Comfortable and adjustable shoulder Pad
Great Quality Viewfinder and Flip Out Screen
Good Battery life
Built in Speaker

Cons:
Low Light sensitivity is not the greatest (small chips)
Bit grainy in Low light
No Record light in Eye Piece
Camera microphone takes up one of the XLR inputs.
Could use a 12v out on camera

Overall Impression - For the price, it can't be beat!

Comments about JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Solid-State Camcorder:

First time Pro Camera user. Meets every expectation and was well worth the wait. Fantastic HD video in a small compact size.

Canon lens is a must. Pass it up, and you pass up on better quality HD.

Steve
Bethlehem, Pa.