JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (red)

Product summary

The good: Good video quality for its class; manual controls; small, comfortable design.

The bad: No inputs; questionable YouTube friendliness; no optical image stabilization; thin grip strap.

The bottom line: The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder.

Specifications: Video input type: Camcorder ; Optical sensor type: CCD ; Optical zoom: 35 x

Keeping standard-definition minicamcorders competitive against cheaper pocket video cams capable of 720p HD video has basically come down to two features: storage and optical zoom. The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 packs the same 35x optical zoom as 2008′s MS100, and though the company left out internal storage from this model (the MS130 gets you 16GB of built-in memory for about $50 more), there are dual SD/SDHC card slots. That’s one slot more than the competition, letting you go up to 64GB of storage should you want it. Oh, and its video isn’t half bad either, considering its sub-$300 price.

Those thinking about getting a Flip-style minicamcorder but can live with a larger size should consider the MS120. Despite it not technically being in the same category and that it won’t fit in a pants pocket, you get much more camcorder for your money with this JVC (and not much more money, at that), and its video is YouTube-friendly, with some assistance from the bundled software.

source: cnet