Last year JVC gave its Everio camcorders a rugged makeover, with the GZ-R10 and GZ-R70 models getting the same sort of protection as its ADIXXION actioncam. Now the firm has updated its tough camcorder offering with the new Quad Proof Everio GZ-R450 and GZ-R320, which boast improved battery life and performance, while still being dust-proof, water-proof, drop-proof and freeze-proof.
Both the GZ-R450 and GZ-R320 look like the sort of camcorder you would normally shelter from the rain rather than go swimming with. However, they feature JVC’s Quad-Proof structure, meaning they're waterproof to a depth of 5 m (16.4 ft), can withstand a drop from 1.5 m (4.9 ft), are freeze-proof down to -10°C (14°F) and dust-proof. Should you let go of them in the water, you'll be glad to know they also float.
The camcorders both measure 60 x 59.5 x 122 mm (2.4 x 2.3 x 4.8 in) and feature a fold-out 3-inch touchscreen. A 40x optical zoom Konica Minolta lens offers 40.5-mm to 1620-mm equivalent focal lengths and is paired with a 1/5.8-inch 2.5-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and a FALCONBRID image processing engine, which is the same processor used in JVC 4K professional cameras.
While both cameras are capable of Full HD video recording, the GZ-R450 distinguishes itself with 1920 x 1080/60p AVCHD progressive recording. The higher end model also has a built-in Auto Illumi Light and 32GB of internal memory (though both cameras also have a SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot). It also has a new Close-up Sub-Window function which simultaneously records a wider shot and a close-up, displayed in a sub-window on the touchscreen.
Both cameras also use an internal battery for superior water resistance, which offers five hours of use, and can be used with a portable battery and USB Charging. They are also capable of shooting 10-megapixel stills and time lapse videos, and have a digital image stabilizer for effective camera-shake compensation.
The new tough camcorders will be available from late July priced at US$400 for the GZ-R320 which comes in black or orange, and US$500 for the black-only GZ-R450.
You can check out a promo video for the new camcorders below.
Product pages: JVC Quad Proof Everio GZ-R320, GZ-R450
