Product Description

MD) PANASONIC PV-DV701 DV CAMCORDER

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #134199 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Panasonic
• Platforms: Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, Mac OS X, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, Windows Me, PowerMac, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Macintosh, Windows NT
• Display size: 3

Features

• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 500x digital, zoom with digital image stabilization
• 3.5 inch color LCD and color EVF
• Records digital stills onto included 8 MB MultiMediaCard (also compatible with SD cards)
• Analog inputs for digitally archiving old video footage

Customer Reviews

Great camcorder!
We researched the Panasonic PV-DV601 and Sony products and ultimately decided on the 701. We love the 3.5" screen, still photo capability, as well as the capability to convert our old 8mm camcorder tapes to digital. The camcorder itself is very light, fits easily in your hand, and the operation buttons are very convienent. Would highly recommend this camcorder to anyone! (One word of advice: Buy the 3 hour battery because the one which comes with it will need recharging frequently.)

I recommend that you stay away from this unit.
I purchased this unit because I liked the features and the price was reasonable. It comes with a light that fits in the hot shoe, and a remote control. It has both digital and analog inputs/outputs, and USB & firewire interfaces. However, my experience has not been good. Thirty days after my purchase, I used it for the second time. I noticed a dead spot in the video. I contacted Panasonic Customer Service and they instructed me to send it to the Service Center for repair. Well, as of 4/3/02 they have had it for three weeks and they are still waiting for a part. Worse yet, they said that they are consolidating the Factory Service Centers and it will be 7-10 weeks before a technician is assigned to repair the unit. In my view that is ridiculous. They will not replace the unit. Panasonic seems to be completely comfortable with this absurd repair time. I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNIT, and any other Panasonic product unless you can get the retailer to extend their return policy to 60-90 days -in writing.

Great camera, great value
I bought this camera because it earned Editors' Awards from ... extremely reliable on their reviews. Considering that comparable models from other makers...were priced well above [$], the sub-[$]price was also a significant plus.
I've owned this since March and it has delivered fully in every aspect. Very small yet not too small, it is very light and portable. It shoots great pictures, and contrary to other reviewers here, I haven't had any trouble at all using it in conjunction with my Windows XP PC for editing using Pinnacle Studio 7. Not one problem. In fact, I did some really heavy duty stuff with the PC and the camera delivered with aplomb.
For anyone with average/moderate video needs, I think this camera would be perfect. Highly recommended.