The JVC GZ-MG330 features a smaller, lighter body than previous Everio units along with a choice of three stylish colors. It is the entry level unit in JVC's recent line of five Everio HDD DV camcorders. Clearly, JVC is aiming to make this unit as much of a fashion accessory as many cell phones have become. The camcorder is available in silver as model number GZ-MG330H, in red as model number GZ-MG330R and in blue as GZ-MG330A. Aside from the color, the three models are identical and carry the same retail price tag

In addition to the smaller and lighter design of the new Everio HDD camcorders, JVC has redesigned the menu control by introducing a new feature labeled Laser Touch Operation. This is somewhere between a laptop's touchpad and the touchscreen favored by many Sony DV camcorders.

Whereas a traditional touch screen can result in a build up of annoying fingerprints clouding the screen, the JVC design requires users to simply run their finger up and down a vertical strip at the edge of the screen in order to scroll through the camcorder's menu. To select an option, however, you still need to hit a separate button. While we were fans of the joystick control JVC incorporated into last year's Everio models, we were impressed with the touchscreen interface used in this year's range. It works smoothly, and menu navigation is intuitive. Is it superior to the joystick control? We think that will turn out to be a personal choice, so we recommend hands-on testing before opting for this camcorder.

The Everio GZ-MG330 features a basic 1/6-inch CCD with a gross pixel count of 680,000, a Konica Minolta lens and a 35x optical zoom capability. Only the top of the line GZ-MG730 offers an upgraded optical set up, which will undoubtedly disappoint many potential buyers.

As you would expect from such feature specs, video quality captured by the GZ-MG330 is average in good lighting conditions, poor in low light situations. The DV camcorder does offer an integrated video light to boost low light performance, but as is usually the case, this is only effective for illuminating subjects that are close to the lens.

Video is stored on the camcorder's built-in 30GB hard disk drive. This is large enough to store up to 37.5 hours of video footage at the lowest quality setting or just over seven hours at the highest quality Ultra Fine setting. The GZ-MG330 is also capable of capturing low resolution 640x480 stills and offers a micro SD card slot.

As well as automatic controls for point and shoot simplicity, the GZ-MG330 offers a manual control options for focus, gain, exposure and white balance for greater creative control. We liked the Data Battery feature that allows you to view the remaining battery power as well as the amount of recording time left. For design, portability and recording capacity we give the JVC Everio GZ-MG330 top marks, but we were far less impressed with the overall video and stills performance.

Pros: Excellent storage capacity; small and light; choice of colors; innovative laser touch operation.
Cons: Average video performance in good lighting; poor low light performance.

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor