Hitachi DZ-GX20A DVD Digital Camcorder Review (page 2)
Top Gun Image
The DZ-GX20's image sensor is the biggest of Hitachi's DVD camcorders and the results are especially pleasing. The highest recording quality yields a crisp, natural looking image. It's remarkable that it looks as good as it does, considering that there's a significant amount of compression used for recording to DVD.
The color reproduction is notably excellent as well. In outdoor settings, where there's plenty of light, colors are rich and bright. In scenes that are too dark the color production obviously doesn't perform as desired, but what's interesting is that there is very little noise and the image looks remarkably smooth.
Final Word
While DVD camcorders have their problems with its relative compression schemes, this camcorder seems to break the DVD frustration mold. Its excellent image quality and decent sound make it a great tool for casual shooters looking to capture family memories or the vacation of a life time. With the wireless remote, a two-hour battery, and the DVDCAM software for making movies, now you're looking at a complete camcorder solution that you can continue to use for a long time.
TECH SPECS
Format: DVD-RAM/-R
Number of CCDs: 1
Size of CCDs: 1 / 3.6"
Pixels on CCD: (k) 2,120
Video Effective Pixels (k): 1,230
Focus: auto/manual
Shutter Speed: auto/manual
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/4000
Minimum Shutter Speed: 1/4
Lens f Stop: f1.8-f2.3
Program Exposure Modes: 6
Optical Zoom: 10x
Focal Length: 4.5-45mm
Image Stabilization: Electronic
Manual White Balance: yes
Viewfinder: 0.2" color
LCD Monitor: 2.5" color TFT 120k
Progressive Scan: no
HD Modes: no
Video In: S-Video, Composite
Video Out: S-Video, Composite, USB
Mono/Stereo Recording: Stereo
Microphone In: Yes
VU Meters: no
Manual Audio Level Controls: no
Headphone Jack: no
Speaker: yes
Still Shot Media: SD memory card
Memory Card Included: no
Flash: Yes
Wireless Remote: Yes
External Battery Charger Provided: Yes
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Tape Loading Configuration: Side Tray
Onboard Video Light: no
Accessory Shoe: Yes, Hot
STRENGTHS
- Great image quality
- Mic input
- USB connector
WEAKNESSES
- EIS jerks during pans
- Blocky DVD compression at Low Quality Settings
- Mediocre low light performance
SUMMARY
Overall, the DZ-GX20A has one of the prettiest pictures from a DVD camcorder. It also has some nice in-camera editing options.
Mark Montgomery is Videomaker's Editorial Assistant and has worked on nationally televised productions.
$1,000
Hitachi
1855 Dornoch Ct.
San Diego, CA 92154
(800) HITACHI
www.hitachi.com
