JVC Everio GZ-MG730 (30GB, black)
Manufacturer: JVC Part number: GZ-MG730B
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The JVC Everio GZ-MG730 produces acceptable standard-def video and good photos in bright light, but considering its price tag, it's ultimately disappointing.
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CNET editors' review
JVC Everio GZ-MG730 (30GB, black) price range: $359.00 - $399.95
- Reviewed by: Joshua Goldman
- Edited by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 10/31/2008
- Released on: 05/19/2008
The good: Solid standard-definition video quality; above-average photo quality; manual controls; small, comfortable design; dock and remote included.
The bad: Tricky menu navigation and polarizing interface; no external mic, headphone jacks; overpriced; unnecessarily uses too-small microSD media.
The bottom line: The JVC Everio GZ-MG730 produces acceptable standard-def video and good photos in bright light, but considering its price tag, it's ultimately disappointing.
Standard-definition camcorders tend to have relatively low-resolution image sensors, but JVC bucks that trend with its top-of-the-line Everio G-series hybrid hard-drive/flash-memory camcorder, the GZ-MG730. Instead of a more typical 1-megapixel or 680,000-pixel sensor, the MG730 uses a 7-megapixel model with the goal of giving consumers a combination camcorder and a still camera in a single body. The MG730 succeeds to a limited extent, but unfortunately suffers from the same problems as many of its standard-def competitors, like the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 : it delivers merely average video quality with a price tag that's too close to last year's still excellent, but only a bit more expensive, HD models, such as the Canon HG10.
With a design closely matching the rest of the Everio G series camcorders, the MG730 is a coat-pocket-size 2.8 inches wide by 2.7 inches high by 4.7 inches deep; that's only slightly larger than JVC's Everio GZ-MS100 microSD card-based camcorder. That's impressive considering it has a 30GB hard drive as well as a microSD slot for storing both video and still images. It weighs 12.8 ounces with its 1460mAh battery that's rated for up to 2.5 hours of recording (it averaged closer to 2 hours in my testing).
The main controls are well placed. A thumb-reachable dial surrounding the record button on back changes modes, which include six scene options, Auto, Manual (Program AE), and Shutter and Aperture Priority--all of them work for both video and still images. The battery takes up most of the rest of the back, though above it is a switch for changing from video to still shooting. On top are the zoom rocker and a snapshot button. You cannot take stills while shooting video. Notably missing are external mic and headphone jacks.
Flip open the 2.7-inch LCD to access buttons on the body for jumping from record to playback, turning on the built-in neutral-density filter (which decreases light transmission to allow for slower shutter speeds in bright light), a power button, and Direct DVD and Direct Back Up buttons. You can also set the MG730 to power on when the LCD is opened.
Then there are the Laser Touch controls, a touch-sensitive strip down the left side of the LCD that sort of takes the place of a joystick or directional pad. However, those generally have five directions used for selecting things. The strip, while responsive and pretty for adjusting focus, exposure, and shutter speed--it lights up a brilliant blue when it's stroked--only handles vertical scrolling.
Below the display are five Laser Touch buttons: OK/display, three that are context-sensitive, and Menu. I'm sure after a couple months of use, you'll have no problem remembering to go from Menu to OK to scrolling to OK to scrolling to OK to scrolling and to OK one last time, but for me it seemed like a lot of jumping around to change the white balance setting. Aside from all the menu digging, the Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes are definitely a plus for the MG730, especially considering its increased photo abilities.
The MG730 records video in MPEG-2 and still images in JPEG. The Ultra Fine video setting comes in at 8.5Mbps, providing a little more than 7 hours of storage. Honestly, it's the only setting you'd want to use with the MG730, but there are three more options going down to Eco at 1.5Mbps for 37 hours and 30 minutes of recording time. Stills are 7 megapixels.
Overall, video quality looks good for standard definition in the MG730's class. Colors were pleasing with acceptable white balance in natural light. Indoors, the auto white balance turns overly warm, and like many camcorders it lacks incandescent or fluorescent presets. You can set manual white balance for better results. It did deliver better low-light quality than expected, but is slow to focus. Since it lacks optical image stabilization, extending out to 10x may result in a shaky mess without a tripod. The zoom rocker itself tends toward touchy, but with some practice can be steadily controlled. The package includes a remote control and docking station, making it easy to watch video on your TV or computer.
We usually say you're just as well off using a camera phone as a camcorder for stills. But the MG730 fares better than most camcorders, at least in well-lit conditions; the photos have some artifacts, look a bit oversharpened, and the colors are a bit off, but the exposures are good and they're high-enough resolution to be useful. But under cloudy skies or indoors quality degrades, increasing noise and losing detail, relegating your results to Web use at small sizes.
The JVC Everio GZ-MG730 disappoints primarily because it's overpriced, though its quality fares well compared with standard-def models like the SR85. Like that model, it also costs almost as much as better-performing HD models.
User reviews
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I love mine, but then I'm an amateur -
by prinsin2 on November 3, 2008
Pros: easy to use easy to load onto computer easy to put on dvd
Cons: there isn't anything that I don't like
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Good value, nice sound quality
by adrianTNT on July 22, 2008
Pros: A nice Dolby stereo sound recording, good video quality
Cons: Short battery life with default battery, around 80 minutes.
Summary: A good video quality, around 600-700px wide video, can be wide screen or normal ratio.
A very good stereo Dolby digital sound quality.
With the 30GB version you can record ...Summary: A good video quality, around 600-700px wide video, can be wide screen or normal ratio.
A very good stereo Dolby digital sound quality.
With the 30GB version you can record between 7 hours and 30 hours, which should be enough for most users, I personally don't need the 60GB version.
Default sized battery runs for around 80 minutes so it will be hard to fill 30 or 60 GB of video.
You can get a battery that is 3 times the size and will cost around 60-70$m which should give you a 3-4 hours of recording time.
If you ignore the software on CD you will see the camera as a memory stick and be able to copy/paste the videos and photos to your computer freely which is very nice.
Video files are saved as .MOD extension and (from what I heard and did...) can be safely renamed to .MPG files so your PC players will recognise the format.
My 30GB version was around 540$ including tax and shipping so I consider it a very good value.
I am not impressed with the photo quality but I was expecting this because it's made for video and not for photo.
The light on its right side is a flash for photo only and it doesn't seem to have a permanent light source for video recording, but it records very well in low light conditions, it has some feature for light boosting.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: JVC
- Part number: GZ-MG730B
- Description: This large CCD is packed with 7.38Mega high-sensitivity pixels for exceptional image sensing capabilities. Its primary color filter enables capture of vivid, rich color images that are amazingly true to life. The collective result is a clear, detailed picture with superior realism for both video and stills. With a full-fledged 7.38Mega CCD - the type of imaging device you'll find in stand-alone digital still cameras - pure, detailed photo-quality stills are made possible.
General
- Product Type Camcorder
- Enclosure Color Onyx black
- Digital Zoom 300 x
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.5"
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Digital Video Format MPEG-2
- Special Effects Sepia, Strobe, Classic Film, Black & White
- Image Stabilizer Electronic
- Digital Scene Transition Door wipe, Slide wipe, Black fader, Corner wipe, Scroll wipe, White fader, Window wipe, Shutter wipe, Black & white fader
- Min Shutter Speed 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Snow, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Fine, Cloudy, Halogen
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 7.38 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Digital Storage Media Hard disk drive - Built-in - 30 GB
- Image Storage JPEG 3072 x 2304, JPEG 3072 x 1728, JPEG 2592 x 1944, JPEG 2592 x 1456, JPEG 1920 x 1080, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 1280 x 720, JPEG 640 x 480
- Media Type Hard disk drive
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 6.3 mm - 63 mm - F/3.5
- Focal Length 6.3 mm - 63 mm
- Lens Aperture F/3.5
- Optical Zoom 10 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 6.3 mm
- Max focal length 63 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Features Built-in lens shield
- Filter Size 43 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
- Digital Still Camera Function Yes
- Additional Features DPOF support, Direct print, Auto power save, Date/time stamp, Built-in speaker, Histogram display, PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Backlight compensation, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
- Software Drivers & Utilities, CyberLink PowerCinema, CyberLink PowerDirector, CyberLink PowerProducer, JVC Digital Photo Navigator
- Included Accessories Docking station, Camcorder shoulder strap
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Features Wind noise reduction
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input, 1 x Docking station, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK)
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x MicroSD
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Cables Included A/V cable, USB cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery
- Supported Battery JVC BN-VF808
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 112,000 pixels
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.7 in
- Depth 4.7 in
- Height 2.7 in
- Weight 11.8 oz
Manufacturer info
- JVC
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse JVC products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.jvc.com/
- Address:
1700 Valley Rd.
Wayne, NJ 07470 - Phone: 800-526-5308









