I was looking for a basic mini dv camcorder to learn editing and video techniques. Picture quality was certainly important but, having strong photographic knowledge, also wanted something that would allow manual control. That limited the search quite a bit, especially in the single CCD class. The Panasonics in general seem to be well reviewed and offer a good ratio of features to cost.I've had the camcorder for one week but have explored it quite a bit. In short, it easily meets if not exceeds my expectation. Video quality is very nice. The 30X optical zoom is impressive, but demands a tripod when zooming out in the higher range of the zoom. Color accuracy is very good, assuming a proper white balance. The LCD panel can be rotated which is ecpecially nice when using the camcorder to transfer video to a computer. Battery life is very good, with some power saving features that can be enabled optionally. Unlike most competing models, this camcorder has a more horizontal orientation which makes it very ergonomic to use. Most operations can be carried out with one hand. It is compact and easy to handle, even without the digital stabilizer which it also has. There is even a 16:9 mode that appears to be true widescreen, not just letterboxed 4:3 mode.
For its very reasonable cost, it holds its own very nicely and offers very nice performance. The only feature missing that would be nice is a mic input, but almost none of the entry level camcorders offer this. Other than that, it is very fuill featured and is bettered in this regard only when stepping into the prosumer class. To reach the next level of video performance, the logical step would be to go to Panasonic's 3 CCD models as opposed to a competing Canon or Sony single chip model.
Be aware that the still capability, which I have yet to try, is not meant to replace a stand alone digital camera. The resolution is only VGA 640x480 which is where digital cameras were about 10 years ago. The intent of including this feature on this camcorder is as a convenience. Such images could be acceptable for web posting, but don't expect true digital camera performance here. That's not what this camcorder is for.
This camcorder is a very good model for someone looking to get involved with digital video at a nominal cost. The video quality and feature set are excellent. Naturally, in this camcorder class there are some limitations relative to professional level usage, but with a good understanding of photography and video technique, this can be a surprisingly capable camera.
I did weeks of research and this is the one that had the best value for the money.
Not only are the controls easy to operate and very intuitive but this little baby withstood the extreme heat and even more extreme humidity of Thailand.
The lens goes nice and wide for small areas where you have to get very close to the subject and still be in focus (depth of field). I'd stay away from the digital zoom, they're not very good on any of the palm/camcorders.
Also none of the small camcorders are particularly good in low light.
What do you expect for a few hundred dollars?
That said, this one is nice and small, is easy to operate and is tough in rough conditions. I'm very happy I bought this camcorder.
Buy Panasonic PV-GS36 MiniDV Digital Camcorder 2.5" LCD, 30x Optical & 1000x Digital Zoom Now
I've been using camcorders professionally and recreationally since 1986, and this little camcorder is the best deal out there period.DV technology is proven, been around for a long time, if you want a reliable, simple to operate, and very GOOD camcorder, look no further. Picture quality is excellent, one of Panasonic's strong points, color accuracy very good, and autofocus laser accurate.
The joystick driven menu is very simple to use, most features you'll need are readily available without it's use, and it operates intuitively.
Again, this is an entry level camcorder, that means it's best used in fully auto mode, point and shoot, for taping you kids, vacations, etc. That being said, you can still get very creative once you have downloaded the clips to you computer for editing.
Another review mentions firewire, saying it wont work on a PC. I'm surprised this user can actually surf the web. All you need to do is connect the firewire cable to the camcorder, windows finds it, install whatever drivers it needs (as with any other peripheral), and away you go.
I purchased mine at Costco, they have excellent policies, if you're not satisfied with the product, return it.
I recommend this product to all my friends and family and for the average user, who wants a simple, good product.My wife and I love to travel & our favorite place to go and relax is Walt Disney World. One of the things we love to do there is take our cameras and run around looking like the dopey tourists we are.
My wife focuses solely on still photography, I do stills and video. In my youth I played around with Super 8 film cameras, later graduated to a VHS camcorder, then a Hitachi 8mm camcorder, then for years used my favorite camcorders: the Sony Digital 8 series. I have had 4 of them, going all the way up to the TRV-720 with its awesome 4" LCD screen a really nice camera. The problem I ran into though was not with the cameras per say, but my arm. I get a bit obsessive with videotaping; like I never stop I have to film everything every minute of every show, etc. I could easily fill 40 hours of video on a just a short vacation. You know that you spend too much time with your eye stuck to the view finder when after the vacation is over you are still trying to zoom things in with your bare eye. Steve Austin I aint.
Anyway, from where I worked I developed a nasty case of tendinitis in my elbow; the consequence being that I could no longer comfortably hold the heavier cameras up for a long period of time. Add to this the fact that I looked like a pack mule schlepping around with the camera, its bag, and a ample supply of tapes and accessories for the day and you can understand why I had to find a smaller camera.
I read decent things about the Panasonics, Costco carried this one, so I decided to give it a try.
No, it is not as versatile as my old D8's, but it is a nice little camera. I really like the small footprint; I can quickly tuck it into my fanny packs large front pocket. Which sure beats having the heavier D8 hanging from my neck. The tapes are nice and small, and you can get a extended life battery for it as well.
In some places I had read some folks angst about using the joystick to maneuver through the menus; really, it is not that difficult at all. I would like a larger LCD, but only because it just makes viewing the videos more pleasant, being 'old school' I prefer to use the viewfinder when filming. Which brings me to the one gripe I have the viewfinder does not extend out enough to compensate for the extra depth of the higher capacity battery's.
As many have said before me ignore the digital zoom; useless is overstating its usefulness. On the other hand the 30x optical zoom works very well; of course unless you have the camera supported on a tripod or such your viewers are going to get sea sick watching your masterpiece when you have it zoomed all the way in to some distant object. Some in other places had stated that the zoom works too fast. Nonsense, with gentile pressure you can get nice smooth zooms in and out.
The camera also has a nice quick start function which allows you to leave the power switch in the ON position and the camera will quickly turn on and shut off when you either open and close the LCD screen or extend the viewfinder. Note though that the camera is still using a minimal amount of power in this mode when it is off so you might not want to use it with a short capacity battery.
If, like us, you like taking a gazillion still photos as well, get a nice camera dedicated to that purpose (the Canon PowerShot SD950IS 12.1MP is a nice one). This camera will take stills, but they are really only good for quick shots you want to email or post on facebook, not high resolution photography. A nice feature is that the pics can be stored on SD card so it is easy to swap the card out of the camera and into a reader for quick uploads.
As far as I know there is not any small camera in this class that has great low light abilities, it could be better, but it is not terrible.
I couple of accessories you might want to get are a wide angle lens and a filter kit. The lens will help when filming shows, like those at WDW, which cover a wide area, it will bring so much more into view without having to pan right and left or up and down constantly. The filters will help clear up or enhance you images. The thread size on the lens for these accessories is 30.5mm. If you need to you can get a step ring to make a larger accessory fit this small size.
Most folks are not as anal about their filming as I am and I still like this camera; you can have a lot of fun with it as well.
Give yourself ample time to familiarize yourself with its functions before your trip and you will have some great memories to cherish.
If you are a parent with a small child you owe it to yourself and your children to get a camcorder to archive all the wonderful things you do together; the days that pass will never come back and this is a nice little camera to capture them with.
K
Want Panasonic PV-GS36 MiniDV Digital Camcorder 2.5" LCD, 30x Optical & 1000x Digital Zoom Discount?
Beware of the warranty. Ours had a defect that manifested under certain conditions. However, the labor warranty expires after 3 months so they wanted $200 plus 2-way shipping to repair their defect! We barely had the thing out of the box at 3 months.
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