JVC GZ-MG27US CCD 2.7" LCD 32X Optical Zoom HDD/Flash Memory Camcorder

Pros: The harddrive based camcorder is the best idea single the USB flash stick design, but this model really kills that notion

Cons: Horrible video quality results in almost black and white imagery Nasty, crude, unfinished menus.

Overall Review: Stay away from this model. Wait another two years until these companies figure this out. Seems like nobody makes a good harddrive based camcorder according to all the reviews online.

Pros: 1.) NO MORE TAPES! Hooray for HDD/SD recording! 2.) The little "joystick" on the LCD frame - VERY convenient for menu browsing. 3.) Ability to send still-frame captures to the SD card, while the video records onto the HD - in my line of work (real estate), this allows me to take quick shots of property details, in the middle / in between sessions, of the video walk-through, then pop out the card, put it into my Treo, and E-mail the images to the office immediately... without having to wait until I have the opportunity to unload the HDD contents (which could be several hours later). 4.) Small size & relatively light weight - fits into a small camera case. No protruding bits that can snag on anything. 5.) Great video quality and, surprising for a camcorder, good still-frame capture quality.

Cons: 1.) Menu item titles can be confusing for a 1st-time / occasional user - have to consult the manual due to some items being labeled in VERY ambiguous terms. Example: is the "SP" mode widescreen or not? Darn, have to check the manual... oh, it's 1440x1080... great, still doesn't answer my query... break out the calculator... divide by 2.25... yup, it's 640x480, that's 4:3. How hard was it to add "widescreen/non-widescreen" designations to the menu items? Grr. 2.) Records in .TOD format - must use JVC's software to export. Would be nice to have the flexibility to use it on other computers w/o having to bring the CD & spending time on installing it.

Overall Review: Overall, it's a GREAT cam for anyone who needs "more than the basics" but must stay within a reasonable budget. Suggestions for a first-time owner: as with all cams - get a good camera case, couple of extra SD cards (just in case), a spare battery, a car charger, and cleaning items. Also, make an extra copy of the software CD & drop in the user manual + revisions, and you'll be all set.