Recently I became very interested in getting the GS85 because of the overall satisfaction across the net as well as the price range.

But, it seems to be gone already in favor of the gs90 which will be hitting the shelves in a week or so.

Has anyone had the privilege of checking out the new one? It seems that the only difference is a higher powered zoom with some new "mega" system for stabilization. Is this a good thing? I am well aware that more zoom does not mean "better" in all cases.

Will this camera actually turn out to be a step down from the GS85? I would like to know this while I can still get my hands on a GS85.

Thanks for any input here.

Just saw the GS90 in the Best Buy. It is the crappiest Panasonic ever. No, let me rephrase it, the crappiest camcorder ever. Worse than the Sony HC28, than the Canon ZR800, than the JVC GR-DA30.

It looks like a mockup of the HC28. Why mockup? Because the plastic is so cheap, and the LCD screen does not close without pushing on it.

Pure crap, full stop. Unless this WAS a mockup. $279.

It could have been the shell with the insides taken out for display.

I haven't seen one yet but it seems to have most of the same specs as the GS85, with a larger zoom. Without seeing one I would guess that it isn't much better, but no worse (except that it's UGLY).

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I dont understand how it could be on display at BestBuy when it shouldn't be on the shelves yet.

I agree it doesn't seem to be much different than the GS85 other than the cosmetics and the zoom.

But I am caught between two things. Will the more powerful zoom give a picture that is lesser quality? And would the "NEW" mega system by Panasonic be a noticeable improvement over the old one?

Is this a question?This is what I am saying, cosmetically it looks and feels like a mockup or a cheap toy. I can only hope that this is a preproduction model or a mockup indeed. In any case, the new style echoes the Sony HC28, obviosly this cigarette-pack body is simpler and less expensive to make and package for Panasonic than cool big-barrel-in-your-face models of yore.

Interesting, there are very few pictures of this camera on the Net, this is the correct one:



Here is the Sony:



I think they look pretty much the same, in any case, Panasonic lost its flair. Panasonic MiniDV cams don't look cool anymore and have less pro features (mic input anyone?).

---
Michael, Canon Elura User Pages

The GS85 didn't have a mic input either.

42x zoom shouldn't have any affect on quality because it is optical and the sensor *should be* at least as good as the old camera. The Mega OIS is great for still pics but I've never seen it on video before. It might cause a lot of slow side-to-side panning when handholding.

Now a question-is that thing top loading? It would suck if they made it bottom loading like the Canon ZR850.

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The PV-GS90 won't be available until March (Panasonic website) also B&H..
So I don't see how anyone can see one and say how "crappy" it is???

Besides that, this post is in the wrong forum, as the GS-85/90 is a single 1/6' CCD.

No offense but my screen shows that this post is located in "Panasonic 1CCD miniDV Camcorders".

I think I will grab hold of a GS85 while I still can.

I completely agree that Panasonic is up to no good with the MiniDV cams. At least the cheaper ones. Maybe I should create my own knockoff brand of those cams called FANasonic and put all the features on there that everyone seems to want.

This thread began in the wrong forum.

I moved this thread to the correct forum.


Rich

Hello to all --i have read this thread and also have some questions for this camorder!


How do you think , the built in video light will perform-brings it something in dark places? (Is it comparable to the video light of the Canon HV20)

I know the NV-GS 80 from testing and for me the video quality was good enough, how does the NV-Gs90 indoors will do compared to the NV-gs80 model? (Noise, brightness); The lens quality on the old model seems to be better in WIDE Mode than the new model Gs80 F=1.8 W- 3.7T NVGS90 F=1,9W-4,3T

Could it be true that the resolution in 16:9 on the new model is only 370K against 540K from the old model?

From price, they are equally expensive-would you say the older model is the better choice!(i hated the external lens cap from the old model the new has integrated thats a big plus -i think?

Could you give me an alternative camera in this price segment to € 250 (~360 US Dollar)which would be comparable?
Thank you all for your replys !!!!!!

And --Sorry for my bad english!!!!!

Ok, I checked the GS90 again, I was wrong, the LCD seems to close ok, it is the security thing that is attached to the bottom of the camera that prevents LCD from closing properly.

I still maintain that the camera looks and feels extremely cheap, cheaper than the GS85, cheaper than the ZR930. Good thing it has OIS, the ZR930 does not have it, but has mic input.

Could anyone please give me some more answers for my questions that could me help for a decision??

I just got a brand new GS85 today and really put it to the test on lowlight quality and color.

First of all I have to say DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE SINGLE CCD IN THIS CAMERA. The manual white balance does a superb job at making the colors look fantastic. And between, the IRIS and the SHUTTER settings, its easy as pie to get a nice smooth, clear image at night in the living room with nothing more than the ceeiling light. I didnt need to use the LED light. But, when I turned it on the image became so bright, I could actually change the IRIS and SHUTTER settings to compensate but it really isnt necessary to use the light unless you are in darkness.

I once had a GS250 and its a single step above this one. But for $200 NEW this one wins easily. And I love the 32X Optical lens. Setting the digital zoom on 50X increases the range just enough not to ruin the image quality.

I would imagine the GS90 will be comparable to the GS85 but knowing Panasonic, improving one feature takes away from another.

Bottom line. The GS85 is superb, especially with proper lighting. But, the use of manual controls help cut through the dimmness of indoor lighting.

I have not had the chance to film outdoors yet, but I expect to wet my pants when I do. LOL.

While I was in Best Buy today I checked out the GS90 on display. At first glance I thought it would be a disappointment because of its obvious size reduction. But, it took a whole two minutes to be impressed.

They basically did away with the fake focus ring, so the front became a Sony knockoff. And there's a slider switch on the front to open and close the lens protector.

On the GS85, where the speaker is located, on the GS90 they moved the DV port right there. It is no longer behind the battery. HOORAY!! LOL.

Anyway. It appears they did away with the USB but I didnt really look for it because FireWire is the shizzit.

There is a smaller joystick. I almost didnt notice it! The LCD screen looks a little thicker and more durable on the GS90.

The picture quality is every bit as good as the GS85. It may even be a little clearer. But only some testing could tell for sure.

Basicallt the same camera with minor changes. I would still save some dough and snatch up the GS85 New. They are both great cameras from a great company at an unbeatable price. I dont even waste my time looking at Sony or JVC.

Also, I do notice the color is not quite as saturated as a 3-CCD camera. But, that was easily corrected in post-processing. Makes you realize that its actually easy to pay for too much.

Thats my 2 cents.

I'm glad they came to their senses and didn't put the firewire port under the battery.

Is there still a threaded barrel for attaching lenses?

Don't forget, the LCD screen is a little bit brighter then what you get on the computer so images won't be quite that bright. But I was recently impressed with the night shot feature. There was a possum near my porch just out of the light. With the night shot effect off the LCD was completely black. On it looked like day. I just sped it up on the computer to make up for the low frame rate and got a decent video:

http://www.viewbug.com/video/19831/
(remember, decent for a completely black LCD)

__________________
Proud owner of the world's only GS80 with a mic port!

Check out my company's website:
www.lowcostvideos.net