JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder

271 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (115)
portability (46)
price (41)
size (22)
image quality (20)

Negative
battery (34)
reliability (6)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 271 reviews of JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder. The average rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviews about the size and image quality are generally positive. The portability and price also get good feedback, but some have doubts about the reliability and battery.

usability, price, portability, image quality, size

battery, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 271 reviews)

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Review Ratings

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Showing 1 - 71 of 131 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (140)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder

alaTest has collected and analyzed 33 user reviews of JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Opinions about the design and image quality are on the whole positive. The portability and price are also appreciated. Reviews are divided on the size. There are some critical comments about the battery.

usability, price, portability, image quality, design

battery

67% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder

alaTest has collected and analyzed 28 user reviews of JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the durability and image quality. The size and portability are also appreciated. Many are less positive about the price and reliability.

usability, portability, size, image quality, durability

reliability, price

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : John Neely (camcorderinfo.com)

JVC GZ-MG130 Camcorder Review

JVC was the company that pioneered HDD camcorders on the consumer market with their Everio series, and until last year, the company had a virtual monopoly on self-contained camcorders. Enter Sony, who in 2006 entered the market aggressively with the...

After watching the camcorder industry for as long as we have, you begin to see trends that play out from year to year. Sadly, 2007 is not the year for JVC's entry-level Everios to make a break for greatness. Once again, video performance was only fair,...

May, 2007

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Expert review by : Michael Perlman (washingtonpost.com)

JVC GZ-MG130

Under the hood, the GZ-MG130 looks a bit scrawny, featuring the standard entry-level specs: a 1/6-inch, 680,000 CCD. A chip this size does not generally yield the most optimal video. In fact, the GZ-MG130 produces a soft, almost blurred image, and...

Shooting in low light is a challenge for all entry-level camcorders. Fortunately, the GZ-MG130 comes equipped with shutter speed control to give it some flexibility. Though the similarly-priced Sony DCR-DVD308 produces a better image under most...

Oct, 2007

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Expert review by : John Neely (reviewed.com)

JVC GZ-MG130

At 3000 lux, the image is decent. The fine detail is lacking, to be sure. The resolution score (below) confirmed this – the pixel count is simply not there on the sensor. This is typically the case for camcorders in this price range, but exceptions can...

May, 2007

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Expert review by : tech.co.uk staff (techradar.com)

JVC GZ-MG130 review

A low price with some strong features make this a great buy

Image quality is good ; Easy to use ; High price

No docking station ; Fizzing

This camcorder is well priced and has some truly excellent features, however the lack of a docking station and some image quality issues mean it is not for the professional

Apr, 2007

Partner Source

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Bad software

Good camera, bad software.

Light, no tape

Weak battery about 60-70min of recording. The software is complete trash. Change the file extension to .mpg from .mod so you can edit it with other softwares. If you do want to make dvds or edit your vidoes. you must pay extra money for the software...

Dec, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great Buy!

If you considering a camcorder don't focus in on pixel rates for stills since IMO the most important thing for a camcorder is optical zoom and ease of use not taking picture like a camera. Its main purpose is to make movies!

I've had this camcorder for over a week and so far its lived up to my expectations regarding ease of use and picture quality. I thoroughly researched many HDD camcorders and decided on the JVCMG130 since it offered a great optical zoom which IMO is...

Wish the battery that came with it lasted longer but i knew that already from that research

Dec, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

JVC GZ-MG130 1/6" CCD 2.7" 112K LCD 34X Optical Zoom HDD/Flash Memory Camcorder

The included software is very basic. For better editing and production you may want to invest in a richer product.

So far all the features work fine. I really liked the fact that you can shoot in different video qualities from LOW to Very Fine. Easy to handle. Good battery life

No Firewire port

Dec, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

GZ-MG130 Not a good camcorder

Overall, not a very good camcorder for what is advertised.

The memory storage and sound are good. A lot easier to download these videos to computer than hooking up an 8MM. Sound is Dolby Stereo, which is good

Everything about the picture. Very grainy in dark settings. Tried to adjust brightness, but still very poor. Even poor picture outside during the day. Don't plan on any sudden movements, colors pixilate. Still pictures not great, but thats what cameras...

Dec, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Fun camcorder

Hard drive is the only way to go. It is so easy to use that I have been video recording all kinds of stuff that I did not bother with before. This is a great camera for home use. Get the higher capacity batteries.

Lightweight anc compact. Hard drive holds 7 hours of DVD-quality widescreen video. Very easy to use, with onscreen menu. USB connection to PC gives direct access to files on your camera, allowing you to download JPG pictures and MPEG2 videos directly...

Supplied software will run only in Windows XP or Vista. Will not run in Win 2000. You can, however, download directly and burn to DVD's with Roxio or Nero in Win 2000. Camera is so light that handheld with telephoto is difficult, even with image...

Nov, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

JVC GZ-MG130 1/6" CCD 2.7" 112K LCD 34X Optical Zoom HDD/Flash Memory Camcorder

Changing the .MOD to .mpg can be made easy by writing a simple .bat file or downloading one of many freely available utilities that can do it for you.

Lightweight, small, easy to use, great zoom and sound pickup. 1 touch backup to PC means you can set it up for less tech savvy people to use easily, tons of hard drive space

If you are away from a charger, the shortish battery life can be a bummer, a battery with 3x the life can be had, but not enough change from a c-note to buy a happy meal

Nov, 2007

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