DESCRIPTION

The JY-VS200 is an elegant tinycam with a big LCD screen, progressive scan, and digital stills capability. Its 4:3-native 1/4 CCD performs adequately but has problems with contrast, vertical smear, and an odd checkerboard pattern. Connectivity to FireWire editors and to USB-equipped computers for stills transfer is flawless. The controls are easy to use but lacking in the manual settings most professionals want. Despite its squared-off widescreen lens shade, indie cam marketing, and professional black and silver packaging, it's really more suited to the casual shooter than the digital filmmaker.