The JVC Everio GZ-HM440 is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format. It represents a step-up from the GZ-HM50, which is JVC's low-end high definition camcorder for the 2011 model year. The GZ-HM440 carries a retail price of $299. Full specifications for the GZ-HM440 can be found here.

JVC Everio GZ-HM440 Video Features

Unlike the GZ-HM50 and HM30, the Everio GZ-HM440 does not use a "lite" version of the AVCHD format but instead uses the full-blown version for 1920 x 1080p recording.


It supports 24Mbps recording, the highest bit-rate available in AVCHD camcorders. The HM440 features a 1.5-megapixel 1/5.8-inch CMOS image sensor. Video can also be recorded in a widescreen, standard definition format (720 x 480) for viewing on older TVs and computers or for extending recording times.

The camcorder uses JVC's "Intelligent Auto" mode for automatically matching scene modes such as portrait, sunset, scenery, forest and macro mode, to shooting environments.

Audio is recorded through a 2-channel stereo microphone.

Optical Features

You'll find a 40x optical zoom Konica Minolta HD lens on the Everio GZ-HM440 - an excellent zoom range for the price. The optical zoom is joined by two digital zoom technologies: a dynamic zoom can boost magnification to 70x while a standard digital zoom increases magnification to 200x. The lens uses JVC's "Advanced Image Stabilizer" for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. According to the company, the image stabilization technology can compensate for camera shake at wide-angles.

The lens is protected by a manual lens cap which is opened and closed via a tiny switch next to the lens barrel (far more convenient than the caps you need to clip on, although remembering to open and close the switch can be a challenge). You do not have the option for manual focus on the GZ-HM440.

Memory and Display

The GZ-HM440 does not have any internal memory, but does offer a pair of SDXC memory card slots. You can store up to 11 hours and 40 minutes of the highest quality HD footage when using two 64GB SDXC cards (not included). However, there is no relay-recording on the HM440, so the model will not automatically switch memory formats when one is full. The camcorder is Eye-Fi ready, so it will automatically recognize when a wireless Eye-Fi memory card is in use.

You'll frame your recordings on a 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD display with a 230,000 pixel resolution. There is no viewfinder.

Design

Thanks to its use of flash memory, the GZ-HM440 is very light weight, weighing in at .52 pounds with battery. It measures in at 2.1 x 2.3 x 4.8 inches and features a traditional, barrel-style form factor with a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder's battery. Pop open the display and you'll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder's ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV.

The camcorder uses a two-way grip belt which lets you grip the camcorder or wear it around your wrist.

Aesthetically, the HM440 is essentially identical to its HM50 and HM30 companions - i.e. pretty basic. However it does come in three body colors: black, blue and red.

Shooting Features

The Everio GZ-HM440 is geared to casual video takers with a slightly more substantial feature set than either the HM50 or HM30. You will find face detection with a smile meter capable of measuring the intensity of the smiles of people in your frame. You can set a specific percentage of this smile intensity and the camcorder will automatically snap a photo when all the smiles hit that level (while also recording video).

There's also a time-lapse recording function that lets you record one frame at a time for a selectable time interval (between one and 80 seconds). There's also an Auto Record function which, when set, starts recording automatically whenever an object moves into the frame. The camcorder will also automatically end recording if motion stops after five seconds, so the camcorder can double as a motion-activated video camera (but the battery won't last long enough for it to truly replace a security camera).

The touch-screen comes into play for a feature called Face Sub Window. When you're filming groups of people, you can touch a face and the HM440 will automatically enlarge that face on the side of the display so you can basically record a group shot and a close-up at the same time.

Finally, you can add basic animated effects to video in the camcorder.

Connectivity

The Everio GZ-HM440 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable.

Impression

The HM440 represents a nice step-up from the Everio GZ-HM50. The dual-card slot provides some nice flexibility when it comes to video storage, but the bigger improvement over the HM50 is the move to full 1920 x 1080/24Mbps recording. There are some extra goodies too, such as the touch-screen display and smile meter, but these don't add as much value as the extra resolution boost and the extra memory card slot.