JVC Everio GS-TD1

*Est. $1,600

Reviewed

December 2011

Pros

Shoots 3D video
Manual controls and shooting modes in 3D

Cons

Short zoom in 3D mode
Not as good in 2D mode as rivals
3D screen gives some testers a headache
Big and heavy
Slow startup
No viewfinder

Where to Buy

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Only a few consumer camcorders can shoot in 3D, and testers at CamcorderInfo.com say the JVC Everio GS-TD1 does a slightly better job with 3D than its rival, the Sony HDR-TD10 (*Est. $1,500). Both of these full-3D camcorders are built with two side-by-side lenses and two image sensors, making them both bulkier and heavier than a 2D camcorder. Both have HDMI ports, so you can hook up the camcorder to your 3D TV to watch your footage. Both also have glasses-free 3D LCD screens, but some reviewers say watching the footage on these screens quickly makes them feel queasy or headachy. CamcorderInfo.com likes the more robust manual controls and shooting modes that JVC offers in 3D mode, but the Sony offers a longer zoom in 3D mode -- 10x versus 5x for the JVC. Neither of these camcorders can match the top-rated, non-3D Canon Vixia HF G10 (*Est. $1,400) in tests when it comes to regular high-definition 2D video quality, though.

CamcorderInfo.com subjects the JVD GS-TD1 to its usual thorough testing process and compares it with its rivals. Critiques at the U.K.'s TrustedReviews.com and Which? magazine are also comprehensive. ConsumerReports.org ranks camcorders from best to worst based on objective tests, but without much of a write-up for each camera. We found a good sampling of owner reviews at BHPhotoVideo.com, a retail website.

Sony HDR-TD10 High Definition 3D Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Silver)

from Amazon.com

New: $1,599.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Canon VIXIA HF G10 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 32GB Internal Flash Memory

from Amazon.com

New: $1,499.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

3D Full HD Camera

(2 reviews)
Buy new: $1,999.95 $899.00

In Stock.

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
1,231 store reviews	In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply.	$1,249.00	See It
214 store reviews	In Stock.	$1,352.94	See It
466 store reviews	In Stock.	$1,699.95	See It
		See All Stores

Our Sources

1. CamcorderInfo.com

"You should only consider this camcorder if you want to create 3D content first and foremost, or if you have $1700 to blow on a cool new gadget," Jeremy Stamas says of the JVC GS-TD1. It's one of the best 3D consumer camcorders currently available, but the whole segment has some real drawbacks.

Review: JVC GS-TD1, Jeremy Stamas, April 6, 2011

2. TrustedReviews.com

As the first full-3D consumer camcorder, the JVC Everio GS-TD1 earns a Recommended award. "The only drawback is the price," James Morris concludes after a full test.

Review: JVC Everio GS-TD1 Review, James Morris, June 1, 2011

3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org includes the JVC Everio GS-TD1 in its latest ratings of more than 50 full-featured HD camcorders. Editors evaluate the camcorders' photo, video and audio quality, low-light capability, autofocus and more.

Review: HD Camcorder Ratings and Reliability, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

4. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe

This British consumer magazine tests 123 full-featured camcorders, including the JVC GS-TD1. Experts rate each camcorder's video, audio and photo quality and usability before picking the best buys.

Review: Camcorders, Editors of Which? magazine

5. BHPhotoVideo.com

About a dozen customers have rated the JVC GS-TD1 at this retail website, awarding it an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. At the top of the page, editors round up the common pros (including great image quality and ease of use) and cons (limited zoom) that owners cite.

Review: JVC GS-TD1 Full HD 3D Camcorder, Contributors to BHPhotoVideo.com

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