JVC GZ-MG555

The JVC GZ-MG555 camcorder (in North America), also known as the JVC GZ-MG575 (in Asia and Europe), was produced by JVC in 2007. It records standard definition MPEG-2 video onto either a built-in hard disk drive or on a secure digital memory card in MOD format.

Video can be recorded in four quality settings: Ultra Fine (720 x 480, 8.5Mbit/s), Fine (720 x 480, 5.5Mbit/s), Normal (720 x 480, 4.2Mbit/s), and Economy (352 x 240, 1.5Mbit/s). The built-in hard drive has a capacity of 30GB (40GB for GZ-MG575) and can hold up to 7 hours of video when recorded at the highest quality setting.

When recording to a memory card, the recording time depends only on the capacity of the card. The GZ-MG555 uses full-size SDHC memory cards. One 4GB card can fit roughly 1 hour of video at the highest quality setting. There are no limitations for using any of the recording formats when recording to a memory card.

In 2007 this camcorder had the largest imaging sensor for a consumer camcorder, 1/2.5". Other distinguishing features of this camcorder include:

• External microphone jack
• Accessory shoe
• Built-in neutral-density filter
• FireWire port
• Threaded lens barrel for attachments
• Black body color

Lacking from the camcorder is an optical viewfinder, headphone output, focus ring, and full manual mode.