Electronics / Camcorders / JVC Everio GZ-MG155

My friend and I are amateur filmmakers, releasing short films and sketches to Youtube and our home website every week or so. We had been doing this for several months before we decided to try to find a new camcorder that would suit our needs better. We eventually settled on the JVC Everio GZ-MG155, which seemed to offer most of what we wanted at the reasonable price of $600 (plus tax, of course).

One of the major problems with our older camcorders was audio. It was always either too loud or too soft. The MG155 fixes this problem almost completely, with a nicely-set stereo microphone right next to the lens. There is no background noise from the camera, the straps, the buttons, or anything else on the product. The only downside to the audio is the fact that there is no option to remove the mike from its pre-set place -- people closer to the camera will always sound louder than people farther away. However, since the MG155 seems to aim itself at hobbyists, this is not much of a flaw.

The picture quality for videos is great. There is no desynchronisation whatsoever, very little grain, and clear zoom. For lighting, the camera's auto setting will be sufficient for most occasions -- there are also modes for snowy conditions, dark areas, and some other select situations. The shutter speed can also be adjusted to properly record television or computer screens.

The main problem I have with the MG155 is the file format it writes to: MOD. Never have I encountered such a clunky, unsupported format. The vast majority of editing programs (Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Windows Movie Maker) don't support the use of MODs, and the only way to get around this effectively is to convert every file with the camera's packaged converter software. This software works, but it reduces the quality of the videos somewhat and adds an unnecessary step to the editing process. Why did this camcorder need to use MODs? It's just tedious.

With all that in mind, the MG155 is a pretty good camcorder. For $600, you will get your money's worth. It's perfect for hobbyists and amateur filmmakers to get a decent-quality camera for a relatively-low amount of money. If you're in its demographic, looking for a camera, and can get over the tedium of converting files, this camcorder might be for you.

For examples of this camera in action, you can watch the newest videos on RyanandBran.com