150 Ampere

JVC is introducing its latest additions to the GR-D mini DV camcorder line, with the GR-D850 and GR-D870 models. The release is meant for the US market, but JVC’s packed these two entries with features that will make them worth waiting for.

The D870 offers two recording modes: Dual Recording and Live Slow. Dual Recording mode is exciting because it enables the user to collect high quality digital still frames while recording live action video. Live Slow lets the user pile on the slo-mo effects whilst live audio is recorded: a neat trick, but probably not overly useful. The slo-mo effects can be applied to footage shot at regular speed, so you don’t have to commit to the effect if you’re not sure you want it.

Both cameras offer a 2.7-inch auto-backlight LCD display that can stand up to a full sunlight assault and a Konica Minolta 35x optical zoom lens (and a built in 800x digital zoom) for those must-have-no-matter-what-shots. They also feature manual and auto modes to please those who like to fiddle with the settings and those who don’t.

Both models also offer a built in Auto Illumi-Light LED for low-light shooting. The D870 and D850 models come with a compass-point four-button navigation system on the door that will allow easy one-touch access to the camera menus. The cameras are on the market now. The D870 can be had for about USD$250 and the the D850 goes for USD$230. JVC has not yet said when these models will be available in Europe.

If you want to take a look at the full line of JVC’s miniDV camcorders, check out the selection at TestFreaks.