fact, it's not even listed on the JVC site. If you can find specs, post either them or the url. The question cannot be answered without specs.
The GR-D396 has a focal range from 2.3mm to 73.6mm. That means that it's '32x', while real, is mainly sales hype. Its lense is not at all powerful, and probably will not be effective in pulling in a distant image.
Long distances are more likely to be acheived with something like a Canon XL2. The XL2, with an adaptor, can use photographic lenses including high power, telephotos. That would not, however, be an inexpensive configuration.
I have been looking for a MiniDV camcorder that will give clear video at long distances. I know that digital zoom is useless and I need maximum optical zoom. I am looking at JVC camcorders, GR-D395 & GR-D396 with 32x optical. I see that JVC has a Prosumer type camcorder model GR-DV500U that has a 10x optical and a 300x digital with "Spline interpolation" This camera also is bigger with a larger lens and a 1.33 CCD and some other upgraded features.
Will the Prosumer model with 10x be able to deliver the same effective magnification of images that the Consumer model with 32x optical?

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