JVC GR D396

JVC GR D396
alaScore 77

12 reviews

May, 2013

  • No negative mentions yet

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the value for money and usability. The zoom and battery also get good feedback, whereas opinions about the memory and portability are different.

battery, zoom, usability, value for money

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the JVC GR D396 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 77/100 = Good quality.

See all JVC Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 12 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (33% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (25% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (33% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (no reviews)
 

Features

Battery
  Show positive (35%)(Show all)
Portability
  None yet(Show all)
Zoom
  Show positive (63%)(Show all)
Memory
  None yet(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (100%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (40%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 12 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 12 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (1)

Expert review by:

GR-D396 Minidv Camcorder

 

The old saying "You get what you pay for" certainly applies to the JVC GR-D396. It's the least-expensive camcorder we looked at ($380 as of 5/2/06), and the video it captured was distinctly lackluster. In addition, while the camcorder delivered good...

Despite the enticingly low price of the JVC GR-D396, many users will find its lack of advanced controls limiting, and its poor video quality will put off all but the most budget-minded shooters

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Expert review by:

JVC GR-D396US

 

Photograph: Chris Manners

Long optical zoom ; Low cost, comes with two batteries ; Good battery life

Low-quality still images ; Tape must be loaded from the bottom ; Low-quality video ; No optical image stabilization

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Expert review by:

JVC GR-D396US MiniDV camcorder

 

The JVC GR-D396US is one of the least-expensive camcorders available. However, many users will find that its lack of advanced control is limiting, and its poor video quality will put off all but the most budget-minded shooters.

Low cost, comes with two batteries; good battery life; long optical zoom

Low-quality video; low-quality still images; tape must be loaded from the bottom; no optical image stabilization

The GR-D396US's main problem is its video quality. It scored poorly in our tests, in both normal and low-light conditions: video colors lacked bite, and fine details got lost in haze. The low-light video was particularly unappealing; it looked almost...

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Consumer review by:

JVC GR-D396US

 

This product provides most commonly desired features for everyday use. I have used it in vacations and parties, and I love it! It is small in size and easy to carry. Pictures can be saved on both tape and memory card. Remote control makes it easier to...

Good video quality, 32x zoom, small size, easy to use, remote control, widescreen and multi-language modes

The lens cap falls off the lens easily. It gets tied to the device, so you won't lose it

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Consumer review by:

Amazon review summary for the JVC GR D396

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 4 user reviews of the JVC GR D396 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

50% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

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Consumer review by:

What a hassle...

 

I have the Ultra Zoom version of this and it's just a pain. The little on/off knob that you twist to record or play constantly turns on when you put the camera in the bag, so you almost never have a battery that you can use when you need it. (you can't...

I have the Ultra Zoom version of this and it's just a pain. The little on/off knob that you twist to record or play constantly turns on when you put the camera in the bag, so you almost never have a battery that you can use when you need it. (you can't...

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Consumer review by:

What a hassle...

 

I have the Ultra Zoom version of this and it's just a pain. The little on/off knob that you twist to record or play constantly turns on when you put the camera in the bag, so you almost never have a battery that you can use when you need it. (you can't...

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Consumer review by:

Great for recording...not so much for pictures...

 

Great for recording...not so much for pictures...

I've had this camcorder for quite some time now and so far so good. Tapes are easy to put in and take out, does use a lot of battery power, but you get two batteries so basically 2 hours worth or record. You can also place a memory card in for taking...

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Consumer review by:

Great for recording...not so much for pictures...

 

I've had this camcorder for quite some time now and so far so good. Tapes are easy to put in and take out, does use a lot of battery power, but you get two batteries so basically 2 hours worth or record. You can also place a memory card in for taking...

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Consumer review by:

Mixed Thoughts

 

I bought this camera after reading many reviews on similar models. The main problem listed on other reviews were the size of the battery and the low-light shooting. Here is a list of my impressions over the last 2 weeks with the camera : * I wish ...

RemoteZoom2 batteries

Low-light capabilitiesAuto feature to restricting

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Product Specifications

This product line is distinguished by several features, including selected models with a 32X optical zoom, 16:9 modes and a built-in tele-conversion lens. JVC's MiniDV camcorders are easier to use than ever thanks to the Auto button - just press the button to switch between manual and automatic operation. And all models feature a new on-screen menu system that sorts menu layers by category, making operation easier. Also offered are already-popular JVC features, such as a data battery that displays time remaining with and without LCD use; live slow, which records in slow motion while retaining real-time audio; JVC's Auto Illumi-Light for illuminating dark scenes; Power-Linked operation that turns on the power and puts the camcorder in standby mode simply by opening the LCD; and the company's Clear LCD Monitor that delivers a bright, clear image by reducing reflection and glares, even in bright sunlight.

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Manufacturer Battery Name:JVC BN-VF707U

Camcorder Features

Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes

Camera Flash

Type: None

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:4.5in
Height:3.7in
Weight:14.1oz
Width:2.3in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2.5in
Diagonal Size (metric):6.4cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Night mode / Snow / Sports mode / Spotlight / Twilight mode

Header

Manufacturer:JVC
Model:D396/D396US
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:JVC GR

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/1.2
Max Focal Length:73.6mm
Min Focal Length:2.3mm
Optical Zoom:32
Type:Zoom lens

Optical Sensor

Camcorder Effective Video Resolution:340Kpix
Camcorder Sensor Resolution:680Kpix
Optical Sensor Size:1/6"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):4.2 mm ( 1/6 ) / 4.2 mm ( 1/6" )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Qty:1CCD

Optical System

Image Stabilizer:Electronic

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Analog Video Format:NTSC
Digital Scene Transition:Black fader / Scroll wipe / Slide wipe / White fader
Digital Zoom:800
Media Type:Mini DV
Shooting Modes:Digital photo mode
Special Effects:Black & White / Classic Film / Sepia / Strobe
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Camcorder

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Color Support:Color
Viewfinder Type:LCD
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