JVC Everio GZ-MG730

With a design closely matching the rest of the Everio G series camcorders, the MG730 is a coat pocket size 2.8 inches wide by 2.7 inches high by 4.7 inches deep that's only slightly larger than JVC's Everio GZ-MS100 microSD card based camcorder. That's impressive considering it has a 30GB hard drive as well as a microSD slot for storing both video and still images.

It weighs 12.8 ounces with its 1460mAh battery that's rated for up to 2.5 hours of recording (it averaged closer to 2 hours in my testing). The main controls are well placed.

A thumb reachable dial surrounding the record button on back changes modes, which include six scene options, Auto, Manual (Program AE), and Shutter and Aperture Priority all of them work for both video and still images.

The battery takes up most of the rest of the back, though above it is a switch for changing from video to still shooting. On top are the zoom rocker and a snapshot button. You cannot take stills while shooting video. Notably missing are external mic and headphone jacks.

Flip open the 2.7 inch LCD to access buttons on the body for jumping from record to playback, turning on the built in neutral density filter (which decreases light transmission to allow for slower shutter speeds in bright light), a power button, and Direct DVD and Direct Back Up buttons. You can also set the MG730 to power on when the LCD is opened.