JVC GR-D396 MiniDV Camcorder (.68MP, 32x Opt, 800x Dig, 2.5" LCD)

Among the positive factors, JVC throws in a second battery--and the battery life was already more than respectable: In our tests, a single battery lasted 106 minutes. The GR-D396's lens also has the longest optical zoom of the tested camcorders: At 32X, it lets you get much closer to distant objects than the 20X lenses of the Sony DCR-HC36 MiniDV Handicam and the Canon Elura 100. Unfortunately, at longer zoom settings, the edges of images became rather fuzzy and indistinct; and because there's only electronic image stabilization, the smallest camera movement leads to jittery, unpleasant-looking video.

The camcorder feels comfortable in the hand, with a tall, thin design that works well for people with large hands. The record button sits under the thumb, and the zoom control is under the index finger. The snapshot button (for taking still images) is right behind the zoom control. The GR-D396 can capture images at a maximum resolution of only 640 by 480, to an SD Card; as with the Sony DCR-HC36, this hardly seems worth the bother. Other control buttons are located underneath the 2.5-inch LCD, and a large auto button above the screen toggles between the automatic and manual modes. However, the latter name is somewhat misleading: This camcorder doesn't provide a full manual mode. Instead, you get some limited control over exposure, and access to manual focus. There is no shutter- or aperture-priority mode (not surprising, as the lens has a fixed aperture), and there's only limited control over shutter speed. The MiniDV tape is loaded from the bottom of the camcorder--a real pain if you're using a tripod: You have to remove the camcorder from the tripod before changing tapes.

Despite the enticingly low price of the JVC GR-D396, many users will find its lack of advanced controls limiting, and its poor video quality will put off all but the most budget-minded shooters.

Richard Baguley