JVC PICSIO GC-FM1A HD Camcorder (Sparkling Purple)

After reading the specs I had high hopes for this camera. Unfortunately, it failed to perform in every way. The build quality was cheap and flimsy, the controls were awkward and counterintuitive, the video was unwatchable, and the stills weren't sharp. Thankfully, Amazon accepted my return.

First, the PROS:

--It is small.

Then, the CONS:

--The control buttons are recessed and difficult to press. Usually I would have to press a button several times before it actually worked. When in still camera mode there is no audio or visual confirmation that you have actually taken a photo so you never know for sure until you scan through the images and video saved.

--The video is violently shakey and not as sharp as 1080p should be. Even on a tripod the video shook and wobbled. Basically the video is unwatchable. Everything looks like "Blair Witch Project" outtakes.

--Video and stills are grainy in any light, indoors or out. Don't bother trying to use it in low light.

--The audio is average.

In short, a very disappointing product that has turned me off to the compact video camera segment.

I tried several similar gadgets and JVC PICSIO is one of them. Despite good overall design, there several problems that turned me off.

CONS:

good overall designe

low cost

CONS:

poor of image stabilization: practically absent

poor HD quality: image "wobbling"

not posible to use indoors: grainy picture; inaccurate colors; etc.

I returned my JVC PICSIO back to the store. Do not recommend anyone to buy this model.

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First: I really didn't expect the device to perform miracles and my expectations were set low given the price. It does what it's supposed to do. It does shoot higher quality video in better lighting. I was able to upload the videos easily and the still shots were decent. It is however better quality than a smart phone such as my blackberry storm. I wanted a dedicated device that would capture better than the blackberry and it did just that.

Second: I noticed very very poor quality on my laptop running vista which would only play through quicktime. The videos looked like crap. I connected the device to my desktop computer running windows 7 which is setup to display on my 42 inch 1080p TV and was very impressed with the video running through Window Media Manager/player. I also uploaded a my own video to Youtube and was again impressed with the quality. I firmly believe that the output quality has everything to do with the how your receiving device handles the videos.

PS3 does not support the device's captured format. Therefore you will need to convert the videos using a free converter downloaded from CNET.com

Conclusion Good affordable functional video camera that is highly portable and low maintenance.

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It only records for 29 minutes at a time. This makes no sense. What a waste of money.

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The User Guide's states:

"When the battery life is too low even if it is in full charge, the battery comes to the end of its life"

This statement should be rewritten:

"When the battery life is too low even if it is in full charge, the CAMCORDER comes to the end of its life"

The battery is internal meaning that you can't replace it when it begins to have trouble holding a charge (as they all eventually do).

So the question is: What is the life expectancy of the battery?

I have posted this question on the JVC site forum but, of course, never got published. They also removed another post somebody made to this forum in this regard.

Stay away from it..

Who wants to buy a camera with a 1-2 years (maybe less) lifespan?