Filming with the GZ-MC100
As you can imagine, this camcorder's light weight and portable size make shooting video very easy. I was able to angle the convenient 1-13/16" LCD viewscreen and sit comfortably as I filmed my son playing on the floor.

One drawback, however: this camcorder does not include a viewfinder. If you're a big fan of LCD viewscreens, you might not miss it, but there are at least three reasons a viewfinder is a plus. First, using it causes you to hold the cam against your head, effectively "anchoring" it and minimizing shakiness. Second, it allows you to avoid running down the battery, for instance in situations where you're almost out of power and can't easily recharge. And finally, it makes it easier to see your subject in bright light, which could "wash out" the picture on an LCD screen.

Because there's no viewfinder, if you'll be filming at picnics, sporting events, campouts — or anywhere else you can't just plug the MC100's AC adapter into a wall socket and recharge — I recommend keeping a charged spare battery on hand.

To address the issue of camera shake, the 'MC100 includes a very handy Digital Image Stabilizer. Digital picture stabilizers are generally considered inferior to the more expensive optical stabilizers, which physically move a camera's lens to compensate for movement. But when I jiggled the 'MC100 — and since I'm no video pro, I jiggled it quite a bit! — the Digital Image Stabilizer did a pretty good job minimizing the shakiness. It was definitely more effective for wide-angle shots than closeups (which is typical), but overall it worked well.

Speaking of closeups, this camcorder also boasts a 10X optical zoom lens, which you control by means of a zoom lever. This is definitely handy for catching far-off details. (But you may want to use a tripod if you're going to be doing a lot of telephoto shooting.)

Still image quality
I also shot several still photos at the GZ-MC100's top resolution of 1600 x 1200. I was quite happy with the results: thanks to the built-in flash, photos captured in the same low-light setting as my first video session (described above) turned out colorful and crisp. In fact, the photos looked much better than ones I've captured using other extra-small camcorders.

The built-in flash made for bright, crisp photos.

The upshot
The 'MC100 definitely delivers excellent video and still photo quality, especially for a camcorder of its small size. It's a pleasure to use. It doesn't produce the same caliber of video you'd get from a Mini DV cam with a high-end lens — but it's not meant to. It is meant to combine very good quality video with exceptional portability, and it succeeds at this.

And portability in itself is a worthy goal; a camcorder that's easier to carry is more likely to get used and enjoyed. The end result, ideally, is more great home videos, capturing more memorable moments. If you're looking for a fun way to capture loads of important memories, the GZ-MC100 is a superb choice.