JVC Everio GZ-MC500 reviewed: great video, bad photos
The AP's Ron Harris spent some quality time with the "world's smallest" Everio GZ-MC500 digital videocam, that 3CCD unit that records onto CompactFlash microdrives. JVC was touting their special "pixel-shifted" technology for the 5 megapixel still camera on this, but Harris totally slams on the quality of the still shots, claiming he gets better quality images from his 4 megapixel Canon S400. He gives full marks for crisp video, optical zoom, image stabilization, and audio quality ("This is simply the best audio I've heard from units in the sub-$2,000 range"), but is annoyed by the camera's design which tends to promote smudging up the LCD screen with one's thumb. He's also a bit down on the battery life and, of course, the still image quality — but overall recommends the device for its superior video and audio, storage format and compact size.
