Product Description

The new Panasonic model PV-GS200 camcorders take center stage in the company's 2004 camcorder line. Featuring Leica Optics and 3CCD technology, the new models produce motion and still images with true-to-life color and expressive detail.These top-of-the-line camcorders incorporate the same type of 3CCD imaging system used in Panasonic's celebrated professional camcorders. Individual CCDs are used to reproduce the red, green and blue colors that compose an image for vivid, true-to-life pictures with remarkable depth and presence. They also boast the sophisticated Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known for its ability to capture and finely render the most delicate nuances of light and shade.With a built in digital still camera feature, the new camcorders can also record high-resolution digital still images utilizing the versatile SD Memory Card. 2.3 mega pixel PV-GS200 features a 10x telescopic optical zoom lens; a 700x digital zoom that allows for amazing 700: 1 clear, close-ups from wide angle to full telephoto zoom; and a Macro Zoom feature, which lets users shoot extreme close-ups at distances as close as 40cm.To faithfully reproduce natural skin tones, the camcorder features the new Soft Skin Detail function, which detects skin's different tones and softens the focus to create a realistic blend.With new easy-to-access controls and "direct select" features, the PV-GS200 are also extremely easy to operate. The PV-GS200 features MPEG-4 movie recording capability. Users can transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, or to attach to an e-mail. Used as Web cams, these models are ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or as a simple monitoring device when users are away from home.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68157 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: PV-GS200
• Released on: 2004-03-15
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 3.00" w x 6.00" l, 1.01 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 3-CCD Ultra-Compact Digital MultiCam with 2.3-Megapixel Still Picture Recording
• 10x optical zoom lens (700x digital zoom) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD swings open 120 degrees and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings and pop-up flash for lighting digital still photos
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 2 hours and 15 minutes

Amazon.com Product Description
Combining top-of-the-line features with affordability, the Panasonic PV-GS200 camcorder will help you achieve professional results with easy to use tools. This MiniDV camcorder features a 3CCD optical system for improved video clarity, 10x optical zoom, pop-up flash, manual focusing ring, 2.3-megapixel digital stills, and Secure Digital memory card slot.

Optics
The PV-GS200 incorporates same type of 3CCD imaging system used in PanasonicÕs professional camcorders, which results in vivid, true-to-life imagery with remarkable depth and presence. The PV-GS200 has three 760K CCDs for a total 2.3-megapixel resolution. It also boasts a Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known for its ability to capture and finely render the most delicate nuances of light and shade.

It features a 10x optical zoom lens and a 700x digital zoom for amazingly clear close-ups--from wide angle to full telephoto zoom. The PV-GS200 also has a Macro Zoom feature, which lets you shoot extreme close-ups at distances as close as 40cm (16 inches).

3CCD System
A 3CCD system uses an imaging system where the incoming light is split into its red, green, and blue parts (RGB) and captured on three separate CCD arrays. Each R/G/B signal has a full pixel resolution, resulting in a horizontal resolution three times higher than a typical camcorder's single CCD.

Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS200 can also capture digital still images up to 1760 x 1320 pixels--large enough to print 8 x 10-inch print enlargements. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot--an 8 MB SD card is included. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback.

More Features

• 2.5-inch LCD
• Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend
• MPEG-4 Movie mode lets you easily transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, attach to an e-mail, or add to your Web site
• Webcam functionality
• Manual focusing ring on lens
• Pop-up flash for lighting digital still photos
• MagicWire wired zoom control and narration microphone

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 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.

The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorderÕs body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.

The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS55 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.

The MPEG-4 Movie mode lets you easily transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, attach to an e-mail, or add to your Web site.

Customer Reviews

A professional opinion...
To address the concerns of another reviewer about low light performance: cameras work much differently than your eyes. There is no camcorder, even the digital Betacams we use at work that cost tens of thousands of dollars, that will look good in a basement lit with a 100 watt bulb. The other night I tried it in a dim room and was impressed at how good it looked. A little grainy, but again, much better than any other camera in this price range, thanks to the 3CCD's and ability to manually white balance to correct for the conditions.

I've had a couple of good miniDV camcorders, including one JVC model that does well in low light, but the PVGS200 blows them away in performance.

In my opinion, if you want a better camcorder you'll have to look into the $2500+ prosumer models like the Canon GL2 or Sony VX2100.

The GS200 has several features that make it a great first choice for those who want to learn about serious digital filmmaking without having to mortgage the house to try it out. Features like manual control of white balance, iris, gain, shutter speed and best of all, focus, via a focus ring on the lens. Best of all, it has a microphone jack. Invest another $125 in a quality XLR converter like a BeachTek box and you can hook up any professional mic for better control over your sound. The built in zoom mic works well and motor noise is not a concern at all.

The LCD monitor is of high quality, and the overall build quality is good. The chasis is mostly high-impact plastic, but it feels robust. The tape-loading mechanism is very sturdy (much more so than any other DV camera I've used) and loads tapes from the top, which is rare.

The image stabilization is about the same as any other camcorder and should be used as little as possible. Again, no electronic stabilization will work in low light. Use a tripod whenever possible to keep your productions professional looking.

The best part is the incredible color seperation that the 3CCD's provide. All professional cameras use 3 chips to seperate color and the results here are very impressive, even in lower light.

If you're looking to step up to something serious but can't justify spending as much as a down-payment on a car, definitely consider the PCGS200.

Great color. Wonderful lens for macro shots!
I have a Canon $2,500 Canon GL2 camera to compare this to so my video standards are high.

Good controls and ergonomics make it realatively easy to use. The manual is not great, but you won't need it too much because the controls are pretty intuitive. The low light properties are not great. A camera like the Canon GL2 blows it away due to the larger lens and CCD sensors. But with enough light, the video quality is impressive for such a small camera. Good resolution, and fantastic color. In fact, I may like the color of this camera more than the Canon. Beautiful greens.

It works with iMovie on the Mac, except that the scene cut detection does not always come through.

This camera has very good still photo quality for a camcorder. Very good color (probably due to the 3 CCDs). Very little chromatic aberation (purple fringing). Typical for camcorder stills, there is a little bit of visible noise and some of that "video" look.

The biggest suprise was it's macro capability! You can focus just a few millimeters from the lens and get sharp, bright pictures.

Definitely one of the best performers for the price and size.

Great camcorder, excellent video
After a great deal of research, I decided to buy this camcorder. This is really an awesome piece producing vivid and life-like colors. I personally compared videos shot from popular models like Sony DCRHC40, JVC GRD90, Canon ZR90 and Panasonic PV-GS200. The built-in 3 CCDs in GS200 rocks and the difference is easily visible and of almost broadcast quality.

I have no complaints about the image stabilizer. It performs as good as the other make/models I have tested, if not better.

Pros:
1. Video quality & color reproduction.
2. Top mounting cassette deck, easy to use on tripods.
3. No motor noice, very feeble on rewinding.
4. Compact size.
5. 3 CCD technology at affordable prize.
6. White balance and wealth of other manual controls.
7. Focus ring.
8. Battery life.

Cons:
1. Low light performance could have been better. Though Sony performs a little better, Panasonic is just above average under low light. I can live with it though - I wouldn't be shooting my home videos in the dark.
2. Zoom is only 10x. It is sufficient for most of my requirement, but other make/models give longer zoom range for the same price. (I found that at full 16x zoom in JVC, the camcorder shakes badly and becomes almost unusable without a tripod)

I would highly recommend this for anybody looking for a feature-rich, great quality camcorder for around $700.