Panasonic PV-GS320 DV Camcorder

PV GS320

By wayne  Jul 8, 2007 | 13 out of 13 found this Panasonic PV-GS320 review helpful

Pros: Video & Audio quality, size, craftsmanship

Cons: Price, optical zoom, & no light.

I bought this camcorder after making my mind up to get the GS85 model, but decided on upgrading to this model based on the "3CCD" pitch. Although I'm pretty much a "point-and-shoot&quo
t; person, I wanted the best quality that I co...uld afford. After researching as much as I could, this model has proved that it could produce the best picture it could without being an "HD" camcorder. When playing back the videos on a standard CRT TV, the colors were exactly as seen with my own eyes, and very crisp! Although I've only had experience with a VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, and Digital-8 Camcorders, I feel I definitely got my money's worth buying this camera. It feels solid in my hands, everything seems to be located where it should be, and my only gripes are the fact that there is no LED light, infrared light, and that the "magic-pix" mode is way over-exagerated. Pretty much what you see with your own eyes is what the camcorder records. It does have an accessory shoe for your own light, but no power port, so it needs to be self-powered. Although the Optical zoom is only 10X, the digital zoom works great when set at 75X with the OIS (optical image stabilization)....anythin
g over that produces a lot of jitter that you couldn't control anyway. With discounts and sale, I was able to get this for $399. If I could do it all over again, I'd probably opt for the GS85 model (which is a 1CCD model, but 34X optical zoom), but overall I'm satisfied with my purchase and will be sure to put a lot of hours on it taping my daughers growing up on it! The only reason I didn't decide on a Sony model, was the dissatisfied reviews I found online about the reliability and the "touchscreen" LCD that caused instability when recording. We also still have a Panasonic VHS-C camcorder that has outlasted my previous Samsung Hi-8 camcorder by at least 3 years and is still ticking (but is much bulkier). If you want the most top-of-the-line mini-dv camcorder there is, go with this one......if you want the best panasonic mini-dv "point-and-shoot&quo
t; camcorder you can afford, go for the GS85. Hope this helps! Read more Less