JVC Camcorders Buyer's Guide (NTSC standard definition flash memory/hard drive/MicroDrive models)
All model numbers begin with GZ-
MC = MicroDrive model                        
MG = hard drive model                        
MS = flash memory model                    
Click on the model number to access the operating instructions manual for it.
LCD: diagonal size of LCD monitor in inches; W = Widescreen, L = Laser Touch
light: LED = LED video light; flash = strobe flash for taking still photos
remote: yes = equipped with infrared wireless remote control; no = not supported
mic/ear: external microphone/headphone jacks
zoom opt./ext.: amount of optical zoom / Extended Zoom
auto cover: yes = automatic lens cover; no = manual lens cover; cap = uses a lens cap
lens thread: diameter of lens thread for adding extra lenses or filters (if present)
recording media: capacity of hard drive or internal flash memory; SDHC = 32 GB maximum
mic type: number of audio channels of internal microphone; F = microphone on front; T = microphone on top
image stabil.: type of image stabilization
35 mm focal length: 35 mm equivalent focal length when recording 16:9 video; the lower the number, the wider the field of view
image sensor size/pixels: size of CCD (or CMOS) image sensor in inches; total number of pixels / effective number of pixels when recording 16:9 video
low light sens.: low-light sensitivity at 1/30 shutter speed; the lower the number, the better the low-light sensitivity
weight: weight of camcorder body (without battery and removable media)
MSRP: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price at time of introduction; actual retail prices were often discounted
*** 2004 *** 
Super Hi-Rez JVC lens, CCD image sensor, 130k pixel LCD; records video to 4 GB MicroDrive, CF card, or SD card
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length (4:3) size/pixels (4:3) sens. (1/60)
MC100 1.8 flash no no /yes 10x cap 30.5 mm 4 GB 2 ch T DIS 48.7 mm 1/3.6 2.12M/1.23M   245 g $1,199
                               
MC200 1.8 flash no no /yes 10x cap 30.5 mm 4 GB 2 ch T DIS 48.7 mm 1/3.6 2.12M/1.23M   285 g $1,099
                               
*** 2005 *** 
All except MC500: 112k pixel Clear LCD, RM-V730U remote control
MC500: 3 CCD image sensors, lens hood, manual focus ring, rotating grip
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length (4:3) size/pixels (4:3) sens. (1/60)
MG20 2.5 LED yes no /no 25x cap 27 mm 20 GB 2 ch F DIS 42.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   320 g $799
                               
MG30 2.5 LED yes no /no 25x cap 27 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 42.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   320 g $899
                               
MG35 2.5 LED yes no /no 25x cap 27 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 42.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   320 g U.S.
                              only
MG40 2.5 LED yes no /no 15x cap 30.5 mm 20 GB 2 ch F DIS 43.3 mm 1/4.5 1.33M/690k 15 lux 320 g $899
                               
MG50 2.5 LED yes no /no 15x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 43.3 mm 1/4.5 1.33M/690k 15 lux 320 g $999
                               
MG70 2.5 flash yes no /no 10x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 48.7 mm 1/3.6 2.12M/1.23M 22 lux 390 g  
                               
MC500 1.8 flash no no /yes 10x cap 37 mm 4 GB 2 ch T DIS 46.2 mm 3x1/4.5 1.33M/691k 18 lux 330 g $1,599
                               
*** 2006 *** 
MG505: 3 CCD image sensors, lens hood, accessory shoe
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length size/pixels sens. (1/60)
MG21 2.5 LED yes no /no 32x cap 30.5 mm 20 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   340 g  
                               
MG31 2.5 LED yes no /no 32x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   340 g  
                               
MG27 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x cap 30.5 mm 20 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   340 g  
                               
MG37 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   340 g $799
                               
MG39 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   340 g Canada
                              only
MG57 2.7W LED yes no /no 15x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/5 1.33M/746k (16:9)   350 g  
                                        691k (4:3)      
MG67 2.7W flash yes no /no 10x cap 30.5 mm 20 GB 2 ch F DIS 45.7 mm 1/3.9 2.18M/1.17M (16:9) 15 lux 370 g  
                                          1.23M (4:3)      
MG77 2.7W flash yes no /no 10x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 45.7 mm 1/3.9 2.18M/1.17M (16:9) 15 lux 370 g  
                                          1.23M (4:3)      
MG505 2.7W flash yes yes/no 10x cap 37 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   3x1/4.5 1.33M/774k (16:9)   450 g $1,299
                                              691k (4:3)      
*** 2007 *** 
MG135, MG155, MG255, and MG555: A/V input recording
MG135, MG155, MG157, MG255, and MG555: Everio Dock (not needed for USB), DV output
MG555: accessory shoe, ND filter
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length size/pixels sens.
MG55 2.7W LED yes no /no 15x cap 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/5 1.33M   350 g U.S.
                              only
MG130 2.7W LED yes no /no 34x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   320 g  
                               
MG135 2.7W LED yes no /no 34x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   320 g Canada
                              only
MG150 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 1.07M/690k   325 g  
                               
MG155 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 1.07M/690k   330 g $599
                               
MG157 2.7W LED yes no /no 32x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 1.07M/690k   330 g  
                               
MG255 2.7W flash yes no /no 10x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/3.9 2.18M/1.23M   355 g  
                               
MG555 2.7W LED, yes yes/no 10x no 46 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/2.5 5.37M/4.0M   425 g U.S.
    flash                         only
*** 2008 *** 
New: GZ-MS flash memory models, Konica Minolta lens, Laser Touch LCD with auto backlight
MG335, MG365, MG467, and MG730: Everio Dock (not needed for USB), A/V input recording, DV output
MG730: ND filter
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length size/pixels sens.
MS90 2.7WL no no no /no 28x no 30.5 mm SDHC 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   225 g  
                               
MS100 2.7WL LED no no /no 35x no 30.5 mm SDHC 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   225 g $330
                               
MG230 2.7WL no no no /no 28x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   315 g U.S.
                              only
MG330 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   315 g $449
                               
MG340 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x no 30.5 mm 40 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 680k/340k   315 g  
                               
MG360 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x no 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   315 g $549
                               
MG335 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   315 g $499
                               
MG365 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x no 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 680k/340k   315 g $599
                               
MG430 2.7WL LED yes no /no 32x no 30.5 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 1.07M/690k   315 g  
                               
MG467 2.7WL LED yes no /no 32x no 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS   1/6 1.07M/690k   315 g Canada
                              only
MG730 2.7WL flash yes no /no 10x no 43 mm 30 GB 2 ch F DIS 44.0 mm 1/2.5 7.38M/5.0M   335 g $799
                               
*** 2009 *** 
New: auto lens cover, Dynamic Zoom, 123k pixel LCD
MG645, MG650, MG670, and MG680: A/V input recording
MG645, MG670, and MG680: 1920x1080p HDMI output
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length size/pixels sens.
MS120 2.7WL LED no no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 2 x SDHC 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   240 g $299
                               
MS130 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 16 GB 2 ch F DIS 36.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   245 g $349
                               
MG630 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS 37.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   305 g $429
                               
MG650 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS 37.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   305 g  
                               
MG645 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 60 GB 2 ch F DIS 37.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   305 g  
                               
MG670 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 80 GB 2 ch F DIS 37.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   305 g $479
                               
MG680 2.7WL LED yes no /no 35x/40x yes 30.5 mm 120 GB 2 ch F DIS 37.0 mm 1/6 800k/490k   305 g $549
                               
*** 2010 *** 
New: Advanced Image Stabilizer, Super LoLux, Time Lapse, Auto Record
Remote control, auto lens cover, lens thread, A/V input recording, and HDMI output dropped.
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length size/pixels sens. (1/30)
MS110 2.7W no no no /no 39x/45x no no SDHC 1 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 195 g $229
                               
MS210 2.7WL LED no no /no 39x/45x no no SDHC 2 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 200 g Canada
                              only
MS230 2.7WL LED no no /no 39x/45x no no 8 GB 2 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 200 g $269
                               
MS240 2.7WL LED no no /no 39x/45x no no 16 GB 2 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 200 g  
                               
MS250 2.7WL LED no no /no 39x/45x no no 32 GB 2 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 200 g $369
                               
MG750 2.7WL LED no no /no 39x/45x no no 80 GB 2 ch F Advanced 41.5 mm 1/6 800k/550k 3 lux 250 g $399
                               
*** 2011 *** 
Konica Minolta HD lens, CMOS image sensor, 480p60 MP4 video, 128 kbps AAC audio, SDXC card slot, Intelligent Auto, face detection
model LCD light remote mic/ear zoom auto lens recording mic type image 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight MSRP
opt./ext. cover thread media stabil. length (16:9) size/pixels (16:9) sens.
MS150 2.7W no no no /no 40x/70x no no SDXC 1 ch F Advanced 45.6 mm 1/5.8 1.5M/1.05M   180 g