One of the pocket camcorders that we spotted lately came from JVC’s camp – the PICSIO GC-FM1. The PICSIO designation means that the GC-FM1 belongs to a new family of imaging devices which is separate from the popular Everio series. Consumers can choose among the three colors available, namely Black Ice, Blue Steel, and Purple Passion. In our case, our friends from JVC Philippines gave us the purple model. Because of its size and glitzy shell, this JVC could be easily mistaken for a teen’s handset or a portable media player (PMP) at a glimpse.

 

 

 

 The GC-FM1 is equipped with a 2-inch color LCD that provides users with an adequate view either when recording or playing back a video under fair lighting conditions. The buttons located on the front are for power, playback, delete, photo/video mode, and index. These surround the click wheel which consists of the following controls: the center for shooting; up and down for zooming; and left and right for navigating when selecting a video that you want to view. The center button also doubles as a play and pause switch when the camcorder is at playback mode. Meanwhile, by pushing twice the left of the click wheel, users can change the megapixel and resolution mode of the camcorder. The available choices when shooting still photos are VGA, 2MP, 5MP, and 8MP; while the options when recording videos are QVGA, VGA, 720p, and 1080p.

 

 

 

Placed on the left side of the GC-FM1 is the normal/macro switch, whereas on the right side are all the ports including the 3.5mm A/V connector, mini HDMI output, and mini USB terminal. The latter is dual purpose as it can be used for transferring videos to a PC, as well as for charging the unit’s built-in battery. The SD/SDHC slot cover and tripod mounting socket are found at the bottom.

 

 

We begin our observation with some of the still photos that we got using the GC-FM1. In terms of color quality, this JVC rendered colors accurately. In particular, colors such as red, yellow, orange and green are remarkably brilliant and intense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of the wide angle shots captured by the GC-FM1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Macro shots are impressive as well. However, due to the limitations of its 4x digital zoom, the photos manifested a minimal degree of noise and water color effect at high magnifications. These issues were also reproduced when we zoomed in to quite distant subjects. Do take note though that this may not be exclusive to the photos captured by the GC-FM1, considering that other pocket camcorder brands are equipped only with digital zoom and digital image stabilizer (DIS) as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Checking the registered properties of the photos that we got, the GC-FM1 has an aperture and ISO fixed at F/2.8 and ISO-100 respectively. These settings are just right when capturing photos outdoors under broad daylight but as expected, a bit lacking when shooting indoors or under low-light conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 Using the 1080p mode, the GC-FM1 recorded videos with a resolution of 1440 x 1080p at 30fps in .MOV format. Similar to our observation with the still photos, we praised the color quality of the videos that we took.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Likewise, we noticed some noise and water color effect as well. Nevertheless, these remarks were perceptible only when we either maximized the zoom level or took shots under low-light conditions. By and large, videos were satisfactory at midrange magnification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the night shots recorded using the GC-FM1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re just a few weeks away from Christmas and perhaps, you are already in the process of checking your gift list. Thinking of something to give for your YouTube fanatic recipient? The JVC PICSIO GC-FM1 is undoubtedly a charming piece of love to share and treasure. Its funky exterior and straightforward controls are just the icing on the cake. What would you appreciate more are the vivid and well-saturated HD outputs that you can get once you started shooting with this device. Capped with a reasonable price of PhP 11,990, it is one of the best HD pocket camcorders that you could pick in the 1080p category.