Rating: 
Summary: Good value for the money
Review: After researching the least expensive MiniDV camcorder models on the market, I finally decided the JVC GR-DVL120 packed the most punch for the price. My review does focus on some of the negatives, but in general, I am satisfied with my camcorder.
The Amazon.com editor's review mentions that the camera has a 16x optical zoom. Unless their are sub-models of the DVL120, this claim is false. The optical zoom is 10x. Regardless, the 10x optical zoom seems suitable.
JVC lets you know that the camera can perform a 700x digital, but this is essentially zoom overkill. There is a setting to stop the digital zoom at 40x, which is plenty zoomed-in. Of course, the farther you zoom in the more shaky the picture. The camera has a digital stabilizer, but the effects are not noticeable. I have no other experience with digital image stabilizers, so I do not know what to expect. Overall, the camera picture is relatively stable for a handheld camcorder. So far, the Night Alive feature has proved very ineffective. It appears that this feature mimics the strobe feature of the camera. I was hoping for more of a "green" view when the low-light feature was turned on, but that may exist only in more expensive camcorders. If you're looking for low-light or fantastically stable images, then this camera may not be for you.
The camera does include numerous other features such as b/w mode, old time movie mode, sepia, strobe, slow and a few others.
The camera does have an automatic mode and a manual mode. The automatic mode is a quick-start way of recording video -- the only options that you really need to deal with in automatic mode are the zoom and record on/off buttons. In the manual mode, you have the ability to adjust the white balance (I have not tried this yet), shutter speed and manual focus. The manual focus is a nice option to have, but I found that it somewhat challenging to use and not as versatile in its manual range as I'd hoped. Not a big disappointment though because again, this is a value camcorder and the fact that it does have a manual focus at all is a plus. The camera has a still shot button, which I find more of a nuisance than an added bonus because it is near the zoom feature, so it is sometimes accidentally punched. There is no memory card for data, so the still photo is saved to the MiniDV tape. Do not buy this camcorder if you want both a camcorder and a digital camera combination!
Other features included are editing functions such as wipes and faders. I do not use these because I typically add effects on the back end with my computer. This brings me to one of the coolest features of MiniDV -- the ability to connect your camcorder to your computer. The camera does not include the FireWire cable needed to connect to your computer, but they are relatively inexpensive and well worth it if your computer has a FireWire port. I use a program that came with my Dell to control my camcorder from my computer and record video through the FireWire to my computer. All video-to-computer transfers are made in real-time. The digital transfer keeps video quality as good as when you recorded it. The camcorder does include the necessary RCA cables needed to hook up to a television or VCR (with RCA inputs).
The AC adaptor plugs directly into the camera, so you do not need a separate bulky adaptor. The battery only lasts approximately one hour when using the color view-screen (1.25 hours with the small b/w viewfinder), which isn't that long, but is probably suitable for most consumers. Of course, extra batteries are available.
For someone looking to buy a low-priced MiniDV camcorder for general uses, the GR-DVL120 is a great value.
Rating: 
Summary: The Cam to get
Review: I bought my this camera a few mounths ago, since then i have been making freestyle skiing movies and skating movies. It works great. It is the perfect size to pack any where. i strongly recomend this camera.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this camcorder.
Review: I currently own a camcorder, which I like a lot, and GRDVL120U is a better value(with the longer lens and tighter controls). I made several short movies and images were quite impressive. I suggest you buy this camcorder for image and minidisc recorder for sound. Then you can make a great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Depends On What You Do With It
Review: I got this camera about 6 months ago for my birthday and it seemed pretty cool at first. After a few weeks though it said that, "Head cleaning," was requiered of it, so I bought a cleaning tape and used it whenever it said to, but the problem was that after 5 minutes of using it said to use it again. This is still happening with it, and unfortunatley makes the video appear choppy and with res. lines through it. Also I use it to film skate videos, and it isnt the best camera for that becuase it cannot support a normal fisheye lense that is a 37mm. Also it does not have the best video quality, and often eats the tape if its not charged all the way. Although it is certinatly a low end of the line camcordere, I expected more from it. I would go with something smaller, and perhaps (more expensive) for a good camcorder.
Rating: 
Summary: defective!!!
Review: I had the camcorder for about a year and then BANG, this whinding noise starts to happen... I can't record with it anymore... It seems with the slightest touch, it makes a whinding noise and tottally destroys the image... This product was a great deal... Too bad it doesn't work! ...
Rating:
Summary: Not Impressed
Review: I just returned this camcorder this afternoon to Circuit City. The picture quality indoors was a major, major disappointment! Under normal lighting conditions the picture was grainy at best. I used this camcorder for one week and in three different households all with the same dull, griany results. My old 8mm camcorder has a much crisper, brighter and cleaner picture! In additon to poor picture quality, the camcorder had focusing problems when panning the room at a normal pace. I slowed my panning down and the focusing problems were still evident. It would take a half a second for the image to come into focus. At first I though it may be just the picture on the 2.5" LCD screen, but when I played the tape back on my big screen, the focus problems were caught on the tape. The sound quality wasn't impressive either. I'd give it a 3 at best. It almost makes me wonder if this particlar camcorder was defective? Who knows, I did not get a replacement and plan to do much more research on mini-dv's before I purchase another brand.
Rating:
Summary: Not Impressed
Review: I just returned this camcorder this afternoon to Circuit City. The picture quality indoors was a major, major disappointment! Under normal lighting conditions the picture was grainy at best. I used this camcorder for one week and in three different households all with the same dull, griany results. My old 8mm camcorder has a much crisper, brighter and cleaner picture! In additon to poor picture quality, the camcorder had focusing problems when panning the room at a normal pace. I slowed my panning down and the focusing problems were still evident. It would take a half a second for the image to come into focus. At first I though it may be just the picture on the 2.5" LCD screen, but when I played the tape back on my big screen, the focus problems were caught on the tape. The sound quality wasn't impressive either. I'd give it a 3 at best. It almost makes me wonder if this particlar camcorder was defective? Who knows, I did not get a replacement and plan to do much more research on mini-dv's before I purchase another brand.
Rating:
Summary: Defective!
Review: I purchased this unit through Amazon, though J&R Music World handled the actual sale and delivery. The JVC GRDVL120U was defective out of the box. The motor made a high pitched whining noise whenever it was powered up, loud enough to be audible on test recordings. After speaking with three J&R Customer Service representatives about the problem, they assured me that the unit was defective and suggested that I return it for a refund, which I did. Unfortunately, the net cost to me is the shipping charges for product delivery and return, plus some wasted time. I was weary of purchasing this product in the first place, being that the JVC unit was dramatically underpriced in comparison with other products sharing the same feature set. It seems I got what I paid for! My recommendation is to spend a little more money to buy a higher-quality product. I've heard great things about Sony MiniDV camcorders....
Rating:
Summary: Good camera for the money
Review: I reluctantly bought a display model of the GR-DVL120U about a year ago. I choose this model because of price, shape/size and the fact it was digital. Price was the biggest concern because the soul purpose was for shooting underwater video (if my housing flooded, I would be out less money). The camera is still going strong despite use in some rough environments. The video quality is very good and if works great for connecting to a computer (something my girlfriends Sony doesn't do well). The manual setting on the camera is great because I can lock the focus and everything for shooting underwater. That way it doesn't search for focus in low light conditions. There's lots of different settings you can tweak in the manual mode to work in your environment (I can get good footage 119 ft underwater!) The negative would be the camera isn't very common so it isn't always easy to find batteries or other accessories (like a good fisheye lens)
Rating:
Summary: Good camera for the money
Review: I reluctantly bought a display model of the GR-DVL120U about a year ago. I choose this model because of price, shape/size and the fact it was digital. Price was the biggest concern because the soul purpose was for shooting underwater video (if my housing flooded, I would be out less money). The camera is still going strong despite use in some rough environments. The video quality is very good and if works great for connecting to a computer (something my girlfriends Sony doesn't do well). The manual setting on the camera is great because I can lock the focus and everything for shooting underwater. That way it doesn't search for focus in low light conditions. There's lots of different settings you can tweak in the manual mode to work in your environment (I can get good footage 119 ft underwater!) The negative would be the camera isn't very common so it isn't always easy to find batteries or other accessories (like a good fisheye lens)
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