JVC GY-HM170UA 4KCAM Compact Professional Camcorder with Top Handle Audio Unit
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New Generation Camcorder
I love this little camcorder. I wish I had it on the last two weddings I just finished. And, for the set of interviews I did for my documentary class.Drop the handle, and they'll let you in anywhere. Put it back on, plug in a wireless receiver, and use it in the studio.People say its plastic. I say its small and lightweight, and I love that. People say its marginal in low light. I say give it a little light, and it will produce jaw dropping 4K im... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing for the price
When it comes to prosumer camcorders, I have been a loyal Panasonic customer for years. The HMC40 and AG-AC90 are great, but I decided to give this JVC a shot, as the features and ability to shoot in 4K at this price point are crazy. I've used it at basketball games with poor lighting, and the results are amazing. I would highly recommend the camera if you are on the fence.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I tried desperately to like this camera, but...
The image quality on the unit I purchased was absolutely abysmal. It is grainy in just about any indoor lighting. I tried increasing the gain, opening the iris, slowing the shutter speed. Nothing seemed to be able to address the horribly grainy image. I don't know if I got a bad unit or what, but I am sending it back and looking for a good replacement.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Cheep Camera
This camera is a descent buy for the price, but you do get what you pay for. Comparing this camera with our Cannon Xa20 that we also use for live streaming the services at our church... If you have any lightning issues of low light you are better off buying a different camera as the picture quality becomes very grainy. However, it does have good white balance with white balance presets. The zoom and focus control rings are also very nice. Phantom... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent outdoors, capable indoors
This is my first 4K camcorder. Previously I have been using my Panasonic Ac160a and a Canon XF200. After reading and watching what reviews I could find on this camcorder I decided to make my purchase. With the instant rebate JVC is offering, it was a no brainer especially getting the xlr handle and a shotgun mic for free. Being that I did my research prior to purchasing, I knew exactly what to expect. For example, I knew as I zoomed in the iris c... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The JVC 150 finally grows up.
Having shot successfully with a DVX100a and a JVC150u which I bought as a stop gap measure, until I found the right camera for me. The JVC150u did manage to pay for itself, but it lacked the configuration ability of the DVX and it's excellent glass.I have finally found the true successor to my DVX100a. This is the HD camera I have been waiting for. First off, let me point out this camera is not as dinky as some of the You Tube reviewers make it o... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great camera for beginners aspiring to learn more
I put considerable research into this purchase, and have been very pleased with it thus far. I was looking for a camcorder that made great video out of the box in full-auto mode, but also had professional features available that I can begin to use as I become more familiar and comfortable with them. I've been using this mostly for recording my kids' hockey games, and for that it's done a superb job. I haven't shot any 4K video because I don't hav... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very good camera!
The build quality feels solid, controls handy once you get use to them, easy to use, very nice picture quality, te built in microphone captures the near sounds to much (even the screen manipulation) the external mic hasn't arrive because it was out of stock, and the battery last aroud 2 hours, had to buy an extra but still need more for serious work.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very Poor Image Quality
From the specs and price I hoped this camera would be the new standard for entry-level pro quality 4K capture, but the image quality was shockingly poor. Compared to the Sony PXW-X70, the JVC that I got could not focus across the field, had higher noise, and poor color rendition. See attached frame grabs from 1080p capture. 4K didn't look any better. Maybe I got a bad one, but if the quality control is this bad I can't take a chance on another one being dependable. it's going back.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Chromatic distortion is unacceptable
I wish I could extol the wonders of this camera. I am on my 2nd one and it has the same chromatic distortion I had with the first one, so I'll be returning it, again. When zoomed all the way out, there are purple bands where dark objects meet a bright area. It doesn't happen towards the center of the frame or when the lens is zoomed in a bit. I had great hopes for this camera, but I can't live with artifacts that are this noticeable. The image quality is worse than my consumer JVC camera.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
If you can get over the cheap plastic feel...
My first impression was really influenced by the cheap plastic feel of the camera. That worried me but it is a sizable camera so it would be heavy for handheld otherwise but it just doesn't FEEL great to me. But this the new norm; plastic.My 2nd worry was that the lens hood didn't fit the camera. It would go on but only at an angle and definitely not like it should with the longer side on the bottom. I had a second person try to get it on and she... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
as a follow up to my 1st review
I've had this camera a few weeks and it is growing on me - after you get used to the menus and functions you will find it's more capable than you initally thought so give it time - I discovered a solution to the Windows NLE issue with the 4.2.2. Full HD .mov format compatability problem and it's Magix Movie Edit Pro the 2016 version - see the Q&A section for more information. One thing I forgot to mention is you will appreciate the B&H supplied X... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Keeping this short because ...
The only difference with this camera vs the previous GY-HM170 is that the handle is standard equipment - I bought the 170 vs 200 camera because I don't care about streaming video and wanted a entry level 4K camcorder for general use - the unit does have that plastic feel and that's not all bad because if there was a lot of metal the weight would be a factor as the case is fairly wide. The unit feels good in the hand and with the handle is quite s... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A good camera within its limitations
I've had the GY-HM170 for just over a month, and tested it extensively prior to putting it into service. I've now used it on two separate projects, and am fairly pleased with the camera's capabilities and image quality, but the HM170 does have some limitations. The camera itself has a reasonable feature set that can be customized and saved for future use. The controls are well laid out and accessible despite the camera's smaller size. Menus are f... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great deal for the price
So far I really like this camcorder. It was frustrating trying to find things out about the thing though..only a couple of reviews, and only a few more for the GY HM200. But I'm glad I pulled the trigger. Decent image, works with my lanc-controller, lightweight (a result of the infamous plasticky feel), and the images look pretty good, especially those in 4K. 4K! On a high-end pro/prosumer camera that costs less than 2K! Same specs (50mbits/sec, ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
