The JVC Everio GZ-MG360 is a midrange model in the company's 2008 range of HDD DV camcorders. While the unit boasts the same compact design and optical setup as the lower end camcorders, it packs a larger hard disk drive for storing even more video and stills. There is no Everio docking station included with the GZ-MG360 and no choice of color. The DV camcorder is available in a smart black finish only.

The imager is a standard 1/6-inch with a gross pixel count of 680,000. The Konica Minolta lens delivers a 35x optical zoom function as well as an 800x digital zoom capability. As you would expect, the video performance of the GZ-MG360 is in line with the other Everio units we've tested--that is, it delivers average video quality when shooting in good lighting conditions, but poor video quality when recording in low light situations. Video tends to exhibit jagged edges, and colors quickly become washed out as the light deteriorates.

Like the entry-level Everio units, the GZ-MG360's still performance is basic. The camcorder can snap only low resolution 640x480 pixel stills. Once captured to the hard disk drive, stills or short video clips can then be transferred to memory card stored in the micro SD card slot. It's often useful to be able to snap a few stills with a DV camcorder, but as these specifications show, the GZ-MG360 is obviously no hybrid digital stills camera.

A far more impressive aspect of this DV camcorder is the unit's 60GB hard disk drive. The GZ-MG360 can hold twice the amount of video as the entry level Everio units, up to 75 hours worth at the lowest quality setting, or as much as 14 hours and 20 minutes at the highest ultra-fine setting.

We are also impressed by the new Laser Touch Operation. The camcorder's menu is navigated by simply scrolling a finger along a vertical strip at the edge of the 2-7/10-inch LCD screen. This displays the menu lists and options, any of which can be selected by pressing a separate button. The ease of navigation ranks up there with Sony's touchscreen system, but since you only have to touch the edge of the screen, there isn't the constant build up of messy fingerprints on the entire screen.

The Data Battery readout is another user friendly innovation. When using a JVC battery, the GZ-MG360 will display the percentage of the battery power remaining and the amount of shooting time left. We managed almost two hours of recording on the standard battery, but JVC also offers a longer life battery as an optional extra. Considering the amount of footage the camcorder's hard disk drive can hold, this might be a worthwhile investment.

Overall, this camcorder has sacrificed performance for compact styling. The JVC Everio GZ-MG360 HDD DV camcorder is aimed at users looking for portability and ease of use rather than obtaining top quality videos.

Pros: Huge storage capacity, small and light, innovative laser touch operation
Cons: Average video performance in good lighting, poor low light performance

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor