01.JVC GC PX-10 first look
Price: $1099
Contact: www.jvc.com.au
The GC-PX10 is the latest attempt by JVC to deliver an all-in-one solution for people who want to take great still photos as well as HD video.
Ease of use
On first inspection, it looks and feels like a standard still camera, with a three-inch flip-out LCD screen, large barrel lens (10X zoom) and hefty weight (510g) making single-handed operation difficult.
When holding the body with the right hand with the left hand supporting the lens, the camera feels solid, and exposure and lens controls are within easy reach.
Performance
We tested this device primarily as a video camera that takes stills and found the overall performance across various exposure situations such as daylight, indoor lighting and low light to be comparable to many of the dedicated camcorders available for the same price.
Like most HD video cameras the GC-PX10 lets you extract a still from video, with each still equivalent to an image from a 2.7Mp camera.
But the GC-PX10 can also capture 8.3Mp still shots at a rate of up to 50 frames per second (fps) for up to 130 shots, which is a handy option for action photographers or anyone trying to get the perfect family shot as the kids run around. And when you need extra resolution, you can get 12Mp in still camera mode.
The camera also has a slow-motion mode capturing video at up to 250fps, creating the slow-mo video effect popular on sports programs.
When dealing with such high data rates, you may find the 32GB internal memory isn’t enough for a travel shoot, so you’ll need to pack a couple of removable SD cards. The camera supports SDXC cards up to 64GB.
CHOICE Verdict
While this hybrid camera’s main claim to fame revolves around its progressive HD video resolution and capture speed, it looks and feels like a still camera on steroids. If that’s the combination you’re looking for, the GC-PX10 may be the right fit.
For more information about Camcorders, see Cameras and camcorders.