Digital Home Thoughts: JVC "Saw The Light" And Improved Low-Light Performance

"Probably my number one complaint about consumer camcorders is their poor low light performance. Most camcorders out there under $1,500 perform terribly indoors, and it's because of their poor low light performance. For years camcorder manufacturers have been shrinking CCD size and reducing the low light performance of their camcorders. Most consumer camcorders now feature 1/6 in. CCDs, the smallest size CCD available. In our 2003 tests, the JVC camcorders across the board had the worst low light performance when compared to models by Canon, Sony and Panasonic. However, in test results that will be released in camcorder reviews over the next few weeks, we will show that JVC successfully improved their camcorder's low light performance, beating all of the similarly priced Canon camcorders and some of the Sony camcorders with even bigger CCDs. JVC has turned their consumer camcorders from low light loosers into low light winners, at the top of the pack."

Robin Liss' editorial hits home on a sore spot for many video enthusiasts: low-light performance seems to be on the list of things that DV camera makers ignore with low-end cameras. And when you stop to consider how many birthday parties, school plays, and other indoor activities are likely to be filmed, low-light performance is perhaps the most important issue of all. Well said Robin! :way to go: