JVC announces GY-HM70E shoulder-mount camcorder

JVC's GY-HM70 shouldermount camcorder.
JVC’s GY-HM70 shouldermount camcorder is aimed at events. Picture: JVC.

JVC has bolstered its range of cameras aimed at events and videography, with the shoulder-mounted GY-HM70E.

The single-chip, CMOS camera is capable of full HD at both 25 and 50fps, using the AVCHD codec. The camera can also film up to 250fps, for slow motion. However, the resolution for overcranking is limited to 720×576 for PAL models, or 720×480 for the US model, the GY-HM70U

The GY-HM70E is a lightweight, shoulder-mount design with a conventional, ENG-style viewfinder. The camera appears to compete directly with Sony’s similarly-priced HXR-MC2000E and Panasonic’s entry-level AVCHD models.

The new JVC camera has a bright lens, which opens up to f1.2, and a 16x zoom. Images are recorded onto a single 1/2.33 inch sensor, which is also capable of stills up to 4000×3000 pixels, according to the manufacturer. Image processing is via the same FALCONBRID processor as in higher-end JVC camcorders.

JVC is positioning the GY-HM70E as a camera for filming weddings and other events. Recording is to dual SD card slots, with automatic switching if a card is full, or fails. Unusually, the camera also has dual battery mounts, and the batteries can be hot swapped.

As it is not aimed at the broadcast market, the camera does lack features such as XLR-audio inputs (offering just a single minijack), timecode, or SDI. There is a conventional AV output, headphone output, and HDMI.

The camera, which will be available from May, is expected to sell for around £1200 in the UK, and a US list price for the GY-HM70U of $1999.