Photography

JVC's latest camcorders can take a beating, survive harsh weather

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The JVC Everio GZ-R450 and GZ-R320 are a pair of new rugged camcorders
The JVC Everio GZ-R450 will be available from late July priced at US$500
The JVC Everio GZ-R320 will be available from late July priced at US$400
The JVC Everio GZ-R320 features a 40x optical zoom lens
The JVC Everio GZ-R450 and GZ-R320 are a pair of new rugged camcorders
The JVC Everio GZ-R320
The JVC Everio GZ-R320 boasts JVC’s Quad-Proof structure
The JVC Everio GZ-R320 features a 3-inch touchscreen
The JVC Everio GZ-R450 boasts 1920 x 1080/60p AVCHD progressive recording
The JVC Everio GZ-R320 is dust-proof, water-proof, drop-proof and freeze-proof
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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.

The JVC Everio GZ-R320 features a 3-inch touchscreen

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

View gallery - 9 images
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1 comment
Milton
Very cool.
I've got a goPro and a camcorder, and the camcorder produces noticeably better video and audio quality. That being said, I still hung onto my goPro for the under-watter footy... but perhaps no longer.