Product Description

Palmcorder PV-DV203 is a 3 in 1 camcorder that features the benefits of a digital camcorder, digital still camera and web cam camera. The PV-DV203 is fully PC compatible, with i.LINK IEEE 13941 and USB computer interfaces. This enables video and still images to be easily downloaded to a desktop or laptop computer, where they can be saved, edited, digitally manipulated or added to a Web site or e-mailed. It also incorporates a removable SD Memory card for quick and secure storage and transference of digital still images. Using the MPEG-4 Movie Messenger system, video captured by the PV-DV203 can also be downloaded and emailed to friends and family.The PV-DV203 can also serve as a Web camera for video conferencing with friends and relatives, or even for simple Internet-based surveillance when you're away from home. As a digital still camera the PV-DV203 can also record still pictures with exceptional clarity. Panasonic's Progressive PhotoShot captures image data and temporarily stores it in two separate field memories. The images in the two memories are then combined with no time lag, resulting in pictures with 1.5 times the resolution of standard-recorded stills.In addition to this wealth of features, the PV-DV203 also features a color viewfinder, Dual Digital Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) that compensates for camcorder jitter, both during recording and playback of previously recorded video, and a digital LED light for low power consumption and safety.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3149 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: PV-DV203
• Dimensions: 3.38" h x 2.63" w x 4.88" l, 1.01 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder with 10x optical and 700x digital zoom with electronic image stabilization
• 680K pixel resolution
• 2.5-inch color, swivel LCD, color viewfinder, cinema mode
• Saves digital stills to SD memory card; 8 MB card included
• Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394); USB transfer for stills

Amazon.com Product Description
The ultracompact Panasonic PV-DV203 MiniDV offers advanced features such as digital still photo capability and the ability to create high-quality MPEG4 video clips. The PV-DV203 features a 10x optical zoom and 2.5-inch color LCD.

Optics
The PV-DV203 offers a 680K pixel CCD providing crisp, sharp pictures. Shooting from far distances is no problem with the PV-DV203's 10x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom. With Panasonic's introduction of Dual D-EIS (digital electronic image stabilization), you can use this same technology in both the record and playback modes to remove additional jitter from previously recorded video.

Digital Stills and MPEG4 Video
The still mode is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images comparable to the best digital still cameras. Image quality ranges from 640 x 480 up to 1280 x 960 (through pixel interpolation). The images are stored onto the available Secure Digital (SD) memory card in JPEG format. You can also record MPEG4 video, which uses a higher compression setting and is great for posting to a Web site or e-mailing to friends and family.

Still images and MPEG4 video are stored on the included 8 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card, and can be transferred to your PC via USB connectivity (compatible with both USB 1.1 and 2.0).

Web Cam Capability
The PV-DV203 is equipped with a built-in Web Camera that gives you the ability to send live video to family and friends over the Internet. You can even set up the PV-DV73 as a simple home monitoring or a videoconferencing tool. Microsoft Windows Messenger or Windows NetMeeting is required for both sender and receiver. Also requires Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 98SE or Windows 2000 Professional preinstalled PC with USB port. Both computers must be equipped to make a direct dial-up connection. Driver software and USB cable are included.

More Features
The cinema mode enables you to record video in wide screen mode, giving you a 16:9 aspect ratio that's the same as a movie screen. When played back on a television the result is dramatic looking cinema-like movies at home.

The picture-in-picture feature allows you to insert a previously taken digital still image into the video you're recording. The still image is taken using the PhotoShot digital still feature and appears on the right side of the video you're recording. The video and miniaturized still shot then appear together during playback

Other features include:

• 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen.
• Electronic Image Stabilazation to correct camera shaking, giving you smooth and stable pictures.

Inputs and Outputs
The PV-DV203 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for .9personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. You'll also get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture.

Size and Contents
The camcorder measures 3.5 x 2.6 x 4.9 inches and weighs 16 ounces. This package includes the PV-DV203 camcorder, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, A/V cable (mini-3 RCA), serial cable, remote control, and lens cap.

Customer Reviews

Panasonic PV-DV203. Ergonomic, Stylish, Functional.
As an experienced digital camcorder and camera owner, I have
been on the move again. I was recently trying to decide which
digital camcorder to keep. Decisions, decisions. Immediately
after buying the 203, I tried out the new Sony TRV19. I found
that it had some nice Sony features, especially the Carl Zeiss
lens and touch screen LCD. I wish it had at least megapixel
still image quality or at least some type of interpolation. I
then returned to the Panasonic DV203 and have grown to like it a
lot. It offers nice features for the price and the overall
quality is fairly decent.

The Panasonic PAN PVDV203 that I originally, only briefly tried
out is looking better and better for the money.

Admittedly, the Panasonic PV-DV203 has some disadvantages and
might not be the "heavy duty serious" type of digital camcorder
that critical cameraphiles look for, but it has some nice features for the price. The non-glare LED
style light is a plus and it offers SD media
storage for [dollar amount]. There is a the "magic pix" setting for enhanced exposure although it contributes
to slow frame capture. Audio, a hallmark of Panasonic
not always mentioned in camcorder discussions, is superb.

Unfortunately, the low light capability of the Panasonic PV-
DV203 is mediocre in a dark or dimly lit room but quality seems
to improve significantly using the LED light and/or Magic Pix
feature. I still need to use this camcorder under a lot of
different conditions to get a much better idea as to its
capabilities. Initial reaction is that Sony optics in particular
are definitely superior. Whether that justified the price
difference is another matter and a very subjective decision. I
will be doing a lot of outdoor shooting shortly, but of course
that is optimal for most digital cameras and camcorders.

One of the major disadvantages is mainly the "interpolation"
instead of "real" megapixel still imaging. You can definitely
see the difference.

A web designer I work with who is very experienced with digital
photography pointed out to me that low light video is usually
not that great with many camcorders and that the low or zero lux
features available on some are a nice and important feature only
if you happen to shoot in very dark or non-lit areas. After
examining and handling it, he also noted that the Panasonic
DV203 has some nice features and that suggested that I should
use it extensively rather than prejudging it by constantly

looking for slight advantages or disadvantages. It does offer a
lot of functionality and I guess I am not going to find the
"perfect" digital camcorder in this price range. The bottom line
is that I need to get used to it, enjoy it and explore its
versatility, which is significant. It would also be nice,
... I am now leaning toward keeping this camcorder....

Family camcorder... I'm happy!
I purchased this digital camcorder on May 4th to be used primarily for family events. After an exhausting two hours or so reading all the reviews on the Sony, JVC and Panasonic MiniDV camcorders I decided on this one.

I am not a photographer or videographer, just a father of a two month old baby boy who wants to record special events. So far, I am very happy with this camcorder. I can't compare this camera's performance to the Sony or JVC in real world experience, but I can't see how they could be any better. Interior recording, even in low light, plays back very nicely - even on a 52" projection TV which highlights imperfections. The recording was comparable to a DVD movie!

The MagicPix low-light recording feature is not very useful in my opinion. The framerate is slowed down so much and there is a LOT of motion blur. My friend has a Sony Digital8 camera with Nightshot and that is a far superior low light recording capability. However, I don't plan on shooting many scenes in complete darkness so this is a moot point.

After two weeks of ownership, the only thing that annoys me about this product is that the battery must be remvoed from the camera to use the AC adapter. If you plug the camera into the battery charger while the battery is charging, it will stop charging the battery until the camera is unplugged.

In a nutshell, as a family man wanting to record special events, this camera is awesome. The Electronic Image Stabilization feature will let you record anything without all the wibble-wobble and is HIGHLY effective compared to the other brands. The images are sharp and colors crisp. I'm extremely pleased!

Functional, Ergonomical and Some Nice Features
This digital camcorder has some nice features for its price range, including the non-glare LED lighting. Stills are 1.2 megapixel interpolation on SD media. Overall great product, easy to use, compact and loaded with features. Panasonic has great products. It's a great product that has good features and terrific quality of video and sound. A must have and must worth of checking out.