Product Description

Offering high-resolution digital video, high-quality digital still images and PC interoperability, the new Panasonic Palmcorder MultiCam digital camcorders combine fun and function for beginners and accomplished videographers alike. More than just a camcorder, every new model features the built-in PhotoShot digital still camera feature, letting consumers enjoy two ways to capture their memories in a single, compact package: digital video and digital still photos. With more PC-friendly features than ever, the new digital camcorders are ready for a variety of multimedia applications, and can also easily serve as web cameras for home videoconferencing. All models feature an i.LINK IEEE 1394 PC interface, making it easy to download digital recordings (still images and moving pictures) to computers where they can be edited, included in e-mail messages or used in the creation of web sites.The PV-DV102 features PhotoVu Link with a USB port, an SD Memory Card Slot, web camera functionality, and a built-in SD drive. This model also boasts the MPEG-4 Movie Messenger system and new Zoom Microphone. This clever feature works with the optical zoom function to create a natural correspondence between recorded audio and images. When visually zooming in, the sound will also zero in on the subject. This puts emphasis on the subject and gives any video recording the feeling of realistically capturing the moment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101048 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: PV-DV102
• Platforms: Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, PowerMac, Windows NT 5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 3.5, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Macintosh, Windows NT
• Dimensions: 3.50" h x 2.90" w x 7.40" l, 2.18 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder, Webcam and Digital still camera (all in one)
• 10x Optical lens 3.6-36.0 mm 1:1.18 M43 P=0.75mm700x Digital zoom
• 2.5 inch color LCD with black and white EVF
• 1280 x 960 (interpolated) digital still resolution--records onto both DV tape and SD card (card not included)
• Includes light and PCM stereo zoom mic

Amazon.com Product Description
Combining 1.3-megapixel stills--albeit interpolated--with a 10x optical zoom, the PV-DV102 wraps some great features in its plastic and metal body. Images are stored on SD cards (sold separately), and they can be downloaded to your computer via USB. For those that like to shoot in low-light conditions, the camcorder also features a built-in color-recording mode for those types of situations. According to Panasonic, the mode will help reduce the graininess often associated with low-light shooting.

A zoom mic and a built-in light are included with the PV-DV102, along with an MPEG-4 movie system, which lets you capture compressed video clips for e-mailing to friends and family. The camcorder also features a composite video out, and, of course, IEEE 1394.

Customer Reviews

Good - But dont get misled by the Digital Camera feature.
Lets get down straight to the pros and cons of the product

Pro
1. Extremly small - really 'palm held'
2. Extremly Light
3. Jog dial a very nice feature

Cons
1. The pictures captured on the SD card are "average" quality
2. No remote comes with this
3. The SD Card is additional priced
4. The software is so very average.

Considering that I moved up from the DV 52 model for this model hoping to get

a. Remote (optional I am told)
b. Digital picture capability (v v average)

c. Software (that fell way short)

I would suggest that you buy the Panasonic DV 52 Model.Its a 100 bucks cheaper and buy yourself a seperate digitial camera - even at 1.2 m pixles they will outperform these palm comders !!

Tough learning but I hope you learn from my mistakes !!

BRILLIANT!!!
I can't say enough good things about this camcorder. I've made a Las Vegas documentary, a skateboard movie, and simple home movies with it. Not only that, I managed to make them look professional. It transfers video without flaw onto the software I use to make movies (Windows Movie Maker) and also makes flawless re-transfers back onto the tape. Using an SD card, it can be used as a digital camera (albeit a very low quality one... it's still-pic mode is only .5 megapixels).

Pros:
-Great for beginners to home movie making
-Great for beginners to digital camcorders
-Amazing film quality
-SD card slot to save still pictures
-Great sound
-LCD screen

Cons:
-Poor explanation of how to use the digital zoom
-Lens cap is detatched
-Doesn't come with a FireWire, which is necessary to transfer video to the computer
-Still pics saved to the SD card are very low quality

Besides these four problems with this camcorder, it is a dream come true for those into amateur movie making. It really couldn't be any easier to use, save the digital zoom control. Other than these flaws, the camera is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to make professional-looking home movies. Great product, strongly recommended.

Great Camera, Still Pics and Software Awful
The camera itself gives you crystal clear movies, they transfer perfectly to VCR with great video and sound quality. Image transfer to PC via FireWire (cable and card not included) is also outstanding. Only problem is that I had to get seperate software (Adobe Premiere which is expensive) because the included software was, without excaggeration, one of the worst applications I've ever worked with weather multimedia or otherwise. It appeared to be written by someone with very basic programming ability! I emphasize this fact for those of you looking to do PC stuff with it. The still pics from the [optional] memory card are average but OK for Ebay and emailing pics. Overall: great for price range. I'm happy with it.