This could mean the lens is not extending all the way out. Might be caused by dust or maybe low batteries. You could take it to your neatest BestBuy and let the Geek Squad take a look.

Besides being at 12mp the Z950 also shoots 720p HD video in movie mode. The Z950 is much more compact but weighs slightly more.
The Z950 can focus on objects slightly closer to the camera (6cm vs 10cm).
If shooting HD video in movie mode is not important to you...you can save a little money by going with the Z915.

Low light photos are relatively easy to take with basic equipment and a little camera knowledge.
ISO is the determining factor in how sensitive the sensor is to light. A high ISO number will let you shoot in lower light condition but will make the picture nosier (grainier).
A fast lens...f/1.8 or f/2.8 will also let in more light and allow for use of faster shutter speeds.

You can also use a tripod and lower ISO and slow shutter speeds to do a long exposure. With a little experimenting you will get some people in sharp focus, some with motion blurred and some looking like ghost..all in the same shot. You can even get shots where people are walking around and do not show up in the photo at all.

None of this can be done with a basic compact camera. You need a camera with full manual control and wired remote capable for long exposure type shots. Digital-SLR cameras are best for this.
Things like ISO and shutter speeds can not be set on most compact cameras.

If the JVC GZHD320 stores in AVCHD (.mts) format you can copy the file to a computer and burn a copy of the file directly to a standard DvD disk and the Blu-ray play will play back the file straight from disk.
Some Everio camcorders use a .MOD file that will need the camera to play back. Copying just a copy of a file to a hard drive will not get you access to the file without the camcorder or a computer.