Reviews for Panasonic Palmcorder PV-GS320 Digital Camcorder - 2.7" LCD - CCD

Quality Digital Camcorder

Strengths: High quality lens. Compact size and light weight.

Weakness: SD card compatibility.

I bought this camcorder to replace our old 8mm analog camcorder. It is very small and light. Its lens is made by the legendary Leica, one key factor in my choosing it over several other camcorders in its price range. Its user-interface is intuitive. Overall its features seem to be well designed.

To my surprise for some reason it does not accept my Kingston Elite-Pro 2GB SD card (it flashes "card error" message whenever I attempt to use or format that card), but seems to work fine with my cheaper Kingston 2GB SD card (I prefer using the Elite-Pro for its higher write speed). Panasonic only certifies and lists their own SD cards for use with the camcorder, so if you want to shop for a 3rd-party SD card make sure that you can exchange or return it just in case.

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Nice MiniDV camcorder

Strengths: Effective optical image stabilization and big 2.7-inch LCD screen.

Weakness: Battery life is short.

This camcorder is light and handy for traveling. The camcorder's menus were also easy to operate via the controls. I can use both FireWire and USB ports for transferring video to my PC. The most point is that I like its three CCDs (charge-coupled devices) function for handling primary colors individually. Nice camcorder!

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Great 3CCD Camcorder under $400 but downgrade from...

Strengths: Bright & Sharp Image quality. Excellent low light images. Great Zoom quality upto 700x in digital. OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer). 3.1M pixel photos. Easy to use Joystick control.

Weakness: No SD Card included, cannot use 4GB SD. No video recording on SD Card. No ext. microphone jack. No digital effects feature. No backlight for joystick. No built-in flash. Cheap plastic body.

I purchased this Panasonic PV-GS320 DVC (Digital Video Camcorder) for $379.79. Our primary use is for family events and our two young daughters not for professional use.

After 5 months of research, I narrowed it down to this Panasonic PV-GS320 (3CCD) and the Sony HDR-HC7 (High Def, miniDV). Expert reviews often compared the 3CCD to the HD miniDV's 1CCD video quality. Frankly, I liked the HDR-HC7 better but >$1,000 price was just too much and I thought "HD" is not economical until true 1080p HDTV's become mainstream which is ~3 yrs away. By then, prices for HD camcorders will have greatly dropped. Plus, SONY's only support Memory Stick that I did not have and I wanted to reuse my SD cards.

Fast forward 3 days of extensive exploration, I found that Panasonic PV-GS320 is overall a very good camcorder. The colors and images are bright and crisp in daylight but the real strength was "low light" image sharpness in dark indoor setting or during the evening with unit set to manual focus - 3CCD DID make a world of difference! Panasonic now supports OIS in all camcorders so I didn't have to worry about shaky shots when zoomed in closely. I'm genuinely impressed with image quality even when at max 700x digital zoom! I hooked this up with my Sharp LCD HDTV on 16:9 mode and their PC software worked great and image was simply AMAZING! Photos onto my 2GB SD cards were very good and Auto & Tele Macro fuctions are awesome.

Now, some dissapointments: PV-GS320 did not come with a SD Card AND 4GB and up MUST be SDHC or it won't work! Good thing that I had a few extra Std 2GB SD cards handy. Probably true for other brands too but this does not record video onto SD cards, only photos. It does NOT have other "nice to haves" e.g. ext. microphone jack, digital effects feature (Canon is GREAT with this), backlight for joystick, built-in flash for photo shoots, gray plastic body (tape side & bottom) & lens cap look cheap, etc. This is certainly is a DOWNGRADE from PV-GS300 which has ext. mic and nicer design.

But overall, I'm happy with my purchase and PV-GS320 is a very good 3CCD camcorder at under $400. IMHO, you'll like the PV-GS320 esp. if you're sensitive to low light image quality, don't really care for these "nice to have" features AND want high resolution photo + crisp/fine video quality BUT don't want to pay the ~3X premium for HD camcorders just yet. Just like me! :-)

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Panasonic PV-GS320 Camcorder

Strengths: MiniDV format, 3 CCD, small & lightweight.

Weakness: No external microphone connection.

The PV-GS320 is the only 3CCD model remaining in the Panasonic consumer line that shoots video to MiniDV tape. This model provides top DV quality for a reasonable price. The PV-GS320 is a compact, light camcorder that sits easily in a small hand. The normal operating controls such as zoom, photoshot, record/pause and joystick are easily accessed. Video resolution is enhanced by the use of optical image stabilization (OIS) which helps to reduce blurring caused by hand shake. The menu system is logically arranged into a series of pages. The location of the user in menus with multiple pages is indicated by a page number out of the total number of pages. For example, if a user was on page 2 of a set of 4 pages, the location is indicated by 2/4. Selection of options works either by moving the joystick to highlight the option icon or by pushing in on the joystick.

The LCD is very bright with saturated colors and both the LCD and EVF displays are very sharp and easy to see. The brightness level can be adjusted and the EVF has a diopter adjustment. Exposure can be set through manual iris and shutter adjustments and manual focus is available. All of the manual functions are accessed using the joystick controls and on-screen menus. Video may be recorded in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The PV-GS320 has a 10X optical zoom. Stereo audio is recorded in either 12 or 16 bit resolutions. The internal microphone seems quite sensitive. There is no control over the automatic gain control (AGC) or microphone level. There are no ports for an external microphone input or headphones.

The PV-GS320 ports include USB 2 high speed, IEEE1394, and analog audio-video. However, using the USB and IEEE1394 ports requires removing the battery and powering the camcorder from the AC supply. Tape loads from the top and the SD card loads from the bottom. A screw-mount for a tripod is on the bottom of the camcorder.

Video may be played back directly to a television using the provided audio-video multi-cable over either composite or S-video connections. The joystick double-functions as the playback control. Digital still pictures can be recorded to SD or SDHC cards. Still photo sizes up to 1280 x 960 may be taken. I can’t review the quality of the still photos because I don’t use a camcorder for still photos. Panasonic provides no media in the box with the PV-GS320.

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Great leisure Camcorder at a very competitive price

Strengths: 3CCD and good lens, producing excellent picture quality. Good low light performance Easy to use and ergonomically convenient

Weakness: Awkward lens cap Some features eliminated from previous models as Panasonic targets mid-level consumers

I don't see myself moving away from Mini DV anytime soon, despite all manufacturers de-emphasizing it in favour of hard drive or DVD models, as well as of course HD. I know popular fads often prevail, but Mini DV picture quality is so much superior to hard drive or DVD format, and cheaper than HD, that it is surprising it has apparently lost public popularity.

Anyhow, with the shrinking of the line of Mini DV models offered, it made my screening job easier. I narrowed things down to the GS320 and Sony's DCR-HC96. Both offer excellent picture quality, but the GS320's 3CCD is a significant advantage (although the HC96's 1/3 inch CCR somewhat narrows the gap).

Both models have 10x optical zoom, but again the GS320's 3CCD is a boon, as it makes the digital zoom (which I normally ignore in digital camcorders or cameras) more usable than normal. So if you have that telephoto shot that you can't get close to, you are still in luck.

The GS320 is reasonably compact and fits nicely into the palm of one hand. The zoom button has good sensitivity unlike other models I have used where it is difficult to do a slow zoom. The menus are fairly logical and the joystick manipulator, once you get used to it, is also fine. My only minor quibble is the lens cap. Not only is it not automatic, it is also bigger than I expected and has a tendency to flop about annoyingly when you are recording.

Other reviewers have commented on the downgrade in features from earlier models (no focus ring, no hot shoe, no external microphone). In exchange for that, Panasonic has brought down the price of this model by ~$300 over the past 2 years compared to its equivalents. So they are targeting a mid-end consumer market, probably figuring that expert users will plump for HD anyway. It works fine for me as my staple use is vacation and kids.

Overall, I am so far happy with the GS320 - its performance is akin to a higher end model but at a very competitive price. If you are a picky leisure user, in my view, it's hard to beat.

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PV-GS320 Mini DV Digital Camcorder good little miniDV

Strengths: Brilliant colors, light weight, sharp clear images, both 4:3 and 16"9 modes

Weakness: Extended life battery makes eye piece unusable, no mic jack

I have had this camcorder for a short time, but used to fairly heavily. The quality is amazing as the outside still pictures and the video inside and out are extremely sharp.
I have not found any real complaints or issues with the camcorder at all. After looking at some hard disk Camcorders, I felt that for the money this was the best bang for the buck and so far I think it was a great choice.

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The best in its class

Strengths: very sharp pictures, good low light performance, good price

Weakness: the pc port is located on the back, you need to remove the battery to connect it to PC.

If you are a point and shooter and looking for great picture quality, then you cannot find a better camcorder in this price range. Of course for prosumers it lacks a lot of options compare to GS250 and even GS300.

Eventhough the miniDV format is phasing out, it still provides the best picture quality and very easy storage and editing options.

The only competetor for this camcorder is sony HC96 but it is almost $130 more expenseive without much to add. Also I don't like the touchscreen menu by sony.

the only real weakness for me is the fact that the pc port is located on the back and you need to remove the battery and power up with ac to connect it to a PC.

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PV-GS320 Camcorder

Strengths: Nice construction, good size, easy layout of controls

Weakness: Camera strap has a tendency to flop around on my hand

I moved from a Canon which after many years of service, had to be retired because it made no sense to repair. When it came time to look for a new camcorder, all the reviews placed the GS320 at the top. After using the camcorder for about a month, I would have to agree. The quality of the video is excellent including low light. The controls are thoughtfully designed and after getting used to the joystick controls, I like them very much. It is easy to use on auto, but still has plenty of manual controls, if needed. I would highly recommend this model.

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Too soon to tell

Strengths: Small, light weight, easy to use

Weakness: The Operating Instructions tend towards being difficult to read. A/V cable does not fit the camera. Firewire cable should be included.

I will have to use the camera some more and go get the cables that will help the camera work with my TV and my computer. Hopefully, with knowledge and experience, my opinion will change for the better

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HIGH QUALITY VIDEO

Strengths: Small and Compact. Great Video at a low price.

Weakness: none

I purchased this pv-gs320 for my sons wedding gift and video tapped his wedding. The results were amazing. The wedding was outdoors and the recepition indoors and even the indoor video was very good. I used Windows Movie maker to edit and results were fantastic. The audio was good enough to get even the wedding vows. Everyone was amazed at the video quality. Do not hesitate to buy this camcorder for at around $300 dollars you can't go wrong.

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PV-GS320 Review

Strengths: Amazing Optical Image Stabilization, video colors both indoor and outdoor, and many manual mode features which are not present on most camcorder in this price range. 3.1MP still mode an extra add-on.

Weakness: The lack of a mic jack, headphone jack, flash, video light, LCD panel controls, hot shoe, and control ring

Overall it is a decent camcorder. It campares well against Sony's HC-96 which is more pricier. This is a good camera for an intermediate shooter with much more advanced features but still not quite professional grade.

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Great Digital Camera for the price!

Strengths: Small and compact good quality video

Weakness: no microphone jack short battery life no built in flash

I bought this camera for $149.99 before tax. It is a good value for this camera. It is compact and light to bring around to record events. What can you expect for this price. Even with all the shortcomings, for the price, you can't beat it.

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Panasonic PV-GS320

THE GOOD: Impressive video quality; decent low-light performance; very effective optical image stabilization. THE BAD: No built-in flash or video light; no manual focus ring; no mic input or headphone output; all controls are menu-based. THE BOTTOM LINE: Delivering high-quality MiniDV footage and decent still images, the Panasonic PV-GS320 should appeal to advanced amateurs searching for a...

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ReviewGist for Panasonic PV-GS320 Camcorder

Video is Good according to 13 Camcorder experts. -- "Impressive video quality"-review.zdnet.com -- "It does a great job of capturing high-quality video in auto mode"-review.zdnet.com -- "The video is clear (I am using imove to take it off), the sound is good too."-tigerdirect.com Read more to find expert opinions on more features like Optics, Battery, Interface, etc.

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Panasonic PV-GS320

Testseek.com has collected 6 expert reviews for Panasonic PV-GS320 and the average expert rating is 73 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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panasonic pv-gs230 mini dv digital camcorder

Panasonic Pv-gs230 Mini Dv Digital Camcorder receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 2.07 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #121 MiniDV camcorder of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features,...

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Panasonic PV-GS320

Compared with other 3-CCD MiniDV camcorders, the Panasonic PV-GS320 is a bargain. Despite some design quirks, the video performance and high-quality video and still shots make this camcorder a good choice.

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