Lens
JVC put a 10x optical zoom into the GR-DVL725U, which is a good compromise of image quality and zoom power, and should be more than adequate for just about any situation. The digital zoom pumps up the total magnification to 700x, but we recommend using as low a level of digital zoom as you need, as zoom erodes image quality, particularly at high levels.

Digital Stills
We were quite pleased with the digital-still capabilities of the GR-DVL725U. Many camcorders these days come with some sort of digital still mode. The DVL725U records 1,280 x 960 stills, which is a 1.2-megapixel resolution. This particular resolution is relatively good for a camcorder, and matches more expensive offerings.

Inputs and Outputs
The DVL725U comes with the standard IEEE 1394 port for lossless transfer of digital video to a computer, or another IEEE 1394-equipped device, and a USB port for still image transfer. Additionally, the 725 has an S-video output for duping your footage onto tape.

What I like:

* great video quality and colors (near-professional quality),
* manual control (whiteness, brightness, focusness),
* easy to understand (for someone like me who doesn't want to read the manual),
* great LCD quality,
* sleek design (easy to hold and control except when you're reaching for manual focus button- can be difficult if you have the band on your hand).

What I dislike:

* nightshot feature (strobing effect if the room doesn't have enough of light),
* short battery life-span - only lasts approx. 55 minutes with LCD on and approx. 70 minutes without LCD on (I highly recommend you to buy an extended life battery),
* random black noise dots appears in some certain conditions (barely noticable),
* bad still photos (good enough for webpage and internet only),
* 700x digital zoom (totally ruins the video quality); best to use 10x optical zoom only.

Overall, I am very pleased with how well this camcorder performs, especially in focusing and stabilization. I think it is a great camcorder at this price compared to others. I highly recommend it for both home and professional use.