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.
The low light recording on this camera is tremendous for it's price range. I also like the S-video output, which for some reason seems to be the first thing to go when camcorder companies ditch options to drive down the price. Mic input is also a nice feature usually lacking on a camcorder in this price range.
I haven't taken any stills yet, but samples I've seen on the web show that it does a pretty adequate job and unlike some other camcorders, you can take stills to the SD card while shooting video.
The lack of software might be a concern to some, but chances are if you bought a video capture card or a "Firewire" card for your PC, you have some acceptable editing software anyway.
The following minor cons aren't really enough to detract from the overall value of this camera:
1. I don't like is that you have to flip out the LCD panel to turn on manual focus. Some of the more advanced filming options are only available in manual mode.
2. The thumb "joystick" and it's associated icons isn't the most intuitive or easy thing to use, although I do think it's better than a bunch of buttons all over the place.
Basically, if you'd like to make some high quality home video and are looking for an affordable camcorder, then this is the one for you...
Buy Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Now
I just compared the GS65 and GS35 at my local electronics store. To my surprise, they were already in stock and on sale! The GS65 has significantly better color than the GS35 due to its 3CCD style. However, is the better color worth the sacrifice in the zoom range? That's a question you'll have to ask yourself. Not only do you loose some optical zoom in the telephoto range, the GS65 starts at a higher zoom than the GS35. Therefore, it also looses out in the wideangle range. By comparison, the lens on the GS65 is 2.45-24.5mm (35mm equivalent of 44.7-447mm) whereas the GS35 is 1.9-57.0mm (35mm equivalent of 35-1040mm). The extra optical tele and wider base focal length may just be enough for some users to outweight the color difference. Except for a headphone out and the features mentioned above, the two models are nearly identical. I was happily surprised at the ease of use and accuracy on the joystick thumb control. Although, the menu button was just out of reach for my thumb.Read Best Reviews of Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Here
Great product from Panasonic. This is my first digital camcorder and I am very pleased with the quality. Used it to do research on fiddler crabs, and needed zoom and picture quality and it was excellent. The picture was crystal clear as I took shots from 7-8 feet away and zoomed in to max. It also picks up sound even from a whisper and that was a great feature needed. Easy to use and easy to transfer video to TV viewing.Want Panasonic PV-GS65 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Discount?
I bought this camorder around 3 months ago and so far I am very happy with it. First off let me say that I am a complete amateur when it comes to camcorders. I did a lot of research online though before buying this particular camcorder and saw nothing but positive reviews and for a 3 CCD camcorder I only paid $400 for it, which is the same as a good 1 CCD camcorder. I have a 20 month old baby and I use it primarily for home video footage. I was able to take it out of the box and use it very quickly. I keep the setting on 'auto' most of the time and that works just fine for me. The picture quality is excellent, the colors and vibrant and the camcorder is easy to use. I read a lot about camcorders not performing well in 'low light situations' and this camera does pretty well, even though I do notice that when I shoot video in my basement (which is not very bright) the picture is slightly grainy. However when the room is bright or when I am outside the picture is incredible. The zoom is not great but I am not shooting more than 10 feet away anyway, so that doesnt bother me. I am going to buy a video light and see how that improves my indoor video. Overall, I am extremely happy with this camcorder and highly recommend it.
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