Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
by Panasonic
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Our Price: $175.00
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PanasonicModel: PV-GS65
Product features:
- 3CCD sensor dedicates one chip to red, green, and blue for true-to-life color rendering
- MiniDV recording format offers up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution
- 10x optical zoom with digital image stabilization
- 2.5-inch diagonal LCD
- Navigational joystick system offers one-handed operating ability
- Pinnacle Studio HD V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 [Old Version]
- Adobe Premiere Elements 9 [Old Version]
- Final Cut Studio - Old Version
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Excellent entry level
Summary: 4 Stars
Because this is my first camcorder, I researched and compared cameras online for weeks before I made up my mind. A great place to get info is camcorderinfo (I can't write the full address because amazon blocks it out! you figure what's missing.) I picked this particular panasonic because it seemed the best balance of features and price. For a beginner like me with no previous experience, this camcorder is excellent. These are the features that I really liked:
1. The quality of the video is supposed to be very good due to its 3ccd's. At this price level, panasonic is the only one. After all, video is really what it's all about. Everything else is icing on the cake.
2. It has a mic jack. again, at this price, no other one.
3. Remote control
After a few weeks of using it, I like all the controls. Reviewers complain about the zoom being on the middle finger and at first it's a little awkward. Yes, it should have been on the index, but you only need 15 minutes to become an expert and then you don't think about it anymore.
Also, after reading the manual in 10 minutes, one can become an expert in the joystick control. I also have a Nikon coolpix digital camera, and it has a very similar mode knob, which made it easier for me to learn.
With so many nice features at this price, I was concerned that it was too good to be true, so i got extended warranty on it, and it made me feel a lot better. The 90day warranty is no too reassuring.
Some accesories are almost necessary, besides the extended warranty:
1. 4hr battery. The 1hr battery it comes with may last only 30min. or less depending on how much zoom you use, if you view the LCD, and if you play and fast forward or rewind
2. Case. I got a Lowepro Rezo 110 aw. I like compact, and this one is very small and could fit all the cables and everything in it.
Because now i am getting to like this video stuff, i also got:
3. Tripod (Opteka 60", $20, a super deal!) so i don't always have to be behind the camera. Also, even though this camera has "image stabilization", it can only do so much, and there is a BIG difference with video taken with a tripod. It looks really professional. Most people's video moves and shakes so much that you can't even watch it for 10 minutes
4. DVD-R drive with nero software to make videos
5. firewire card to import video to my pc.
This last point is the reason I gave it 4 stars. In doing my research I missed a fine point about video transfer. This camera has a USB port but it's only for the still pictres, not for video. According to the manufacturer's description, the next model up, the gs150, can transfer video through its USB port, thus it could have saved me from buying a firewire card. Therefore, I figured the net savings of going with the gs65 is only about $70. Had I known this I would have gone with the gs150, considering all I have spent in video accessories anyway.
Last, I took some still pictures and they were pretty bad compared to my Nikon coolpix. Maybe I should try again, but everywhere I read says camcorders are just not to be used for taking stills. This particular camcorder does not even have a flash. If you want a camcorder that takes nice stills, you'd have to spend thousands, thus, it's not worth it because you can spend just a few hundred for a decent digital camera. I knew this ahead of time, so this really did not affect my rating.
Overall I am very happy I went with this one because it's a great starting point for under $500. I still think this is a better choince than Cannon or Sony at this price.
UPDATE FEB 2006:
I am happier with this camcorder than when I originally wrote my review in August 2005. It turns out that most video editing software today only works with firewire, not with USB2, although this may change in the future. Thus I don't mind having gotten the fw card after all. I am sure the GS150 is a better product, but everytime I have taken video it has given me great results: sunlight, indoors, and night (with light). This camera will surely carry me through the next few years, and if I decide I need a better one, I will probably go with something better than the 150. If you can afford the price, this is excellent an entry level.
As a result, I am getting more serious about video and have looked for more accessories. I am suprised to find out that consumer camcorder technology has not fully come of age yet like digital cameras, so it's not very clear what are the best accessories. These are a few more I bought:
1. Rode Videomic: super enhances sound and picks up conversations very clearly!
2. Bescor KLK-65XT, VS 65 Video Light: great power light that works both on AC and battery (kind of bulky, but still portable)
3. Cool-lux Light & Sound Bracket, Camcorder Dual Mount Bracket for Video Lights & Microphones: This lets me use both mic and light.
My in-laws have not met our baby, and thanks to all this technology they have seen him grow. I am very happy I made this investment.
Description of Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
The Panasonic PV-GS65 creates the most vivid, true-to-life pictures with a remarkable degree of depth and presence. The 10x optical and 700x digital zoom deliver high-quality digital still and moving images for novices and professionals alike. Electronic Image Stabilization(EIS) provides you with perfect pictures and video. The 1.2-megapixel CCD gives photographers the best that camcorder technology has to offer. Records to SD card Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port MiniDV output Unit Dimensions - approx. 3 (h) x 3 (w) x 4.75 (d) Unit Weight - 0.93 lbs.Camcorders
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