JVC's latest digital camcorder is a curious hybrid beast that attempts to be innovative in several areas whilst also keeping up with the Joneses in terms of current fashionable technological trends.

The latter is most evident when you look at the back of the machine, where you'll find a mode dial that has much in common with digital still cameras. That's because alongside the video options are three still image settings, including a Scene icon which opens the door to no fewer than 15 modes (with exotic options like Sleeping Face, Food and Forest).

So in other words the X900 has jumped on the ‘dual camera' bandwagon with a vengeance, making use of its massive 1/2.33-inch, 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor to be able to capture 1920 x 1080 / 50i Full HD AVCHD format video on SD memory cards, as well as high quality 9-megapixel digital stills.

Even when you're in video mode, you can still use continuous shooting to take up to eleven 5.3-megapixel images at 50fps. In camera mode your continuous shooting options are more limited, with only 6 images possible at either 7fps or 15fps.

There are two other striking differences between the X900 and its rivals. The first of these is the design: styled in masculine black and silver, it has the same appearance as an old-fashioned Dictaphone, with the battery snugly tucked into the base and all the main menus outside the mode dial in the inner compartment.

There's no separate power button: opening the 2.8-inch LCD turns the machine on and your choices are made via the Laser Touch strip down the side and the touch screen buttons at the base. In addition, there are separate touch pad controls next to the battery compartment for Play/Rec, Video/Camera, Upload (to YouTube), Export (to iTunes) and Display. In practice, the Laser Touch control is fiddly and unresponsive when you need to make decisions in a hurry.

The other major innovation involves JVC's new proprietary optical image stabilisation (OIS) system which now makes use of prism technology in front of the lens rather than behind it. This worked well with the optical zoom, although the maximum was a mere 5x which lags some competitors. There are three extra digital zoom settings of 6x, 32x and 200x but the latter should only be used in extremis and with a tripod.

Another novelty is a high-speed recording function that lets you play back in slo-mo. While this sounds great in theory, the slowest rate of 100fps only allows for 4.7 seconds recording time and the maximum 500fps gives you just 2.8 seconds, which is not long enough to see Lewis Hamilton turn a corner.

On the other hand, you not only have an HDMI out port but you can record with x.v. Colour for increased colour accuracy on HD TVs and the highest video record mode of 1920 x 1080i at 24Mbps is designed for playback via Blu-ray.

The quality of both video and still images is impressive, especially in average to bright conditions, with overtly naturalistic colours and plenty of detail. Battery longevity is only about an hour, though, so you'll probably need to invest in a spare. The good news is that you are also supplied with a docking station that has connectors for USB, AV and component as well as a power lead.

Verdict
JVC has gone for the compact look (and weight) with the new X900, using SD storage, a bigger and more powerful CMOS sensor, improved optical image stabilization and high quality HD images. The controls are still irritating, though, and the price might be too high for the non-pro photographer.

Company: JVC

Contact: 0870 330 5000

Tags: youtube secure digital jvc itunes 1080p hdmi mode dial active pixel sensor