Panasonic PV-GS150 Camcorder Review by Matt Culler Published on Mar 22, 2005 12:00 PM

Intro Tour Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Intro Auto / Manual Controls Other Features

Performance Still Features Comparisons / Conclusion

Format Handling and Use

Ease of Use (7.0)
The SDR-SR150 is a remarkably easy to use camcorder, especially when it is set to Auto Mode. It’s small, which gives shooting with this camcorder a casual feel reminiscent of operating a compact digital still camera, and Panasonic has thoughtfully gone the extra mile to keep the SDR-SR150 approachable and self-contained. The built-in lens cover is one of the features that keeps this camcorder hassle-free, eliminating risk of loss, and the annoyance of a lens cap banging against your hand during a shoot. With an elegant body design and no protrusions, this is truly a camcorder that can be slipped into your pocket, adding an unusual level of convenience.

The camcorder’s manual controls are not as easy to use as some other models – arguably JVC and Samsung both offer simpler interfaces. However, no consumer camcorder manufacturer offers as many manual control features as Panasonic, so their interface is used to access a more robust and complex feature set. If you are not familiar with Panasonic’s manual controls, you’ll probably need to spend some time practicing with them. When you do, you’ll find that moving from one control to the next, and cycling through settings is an efficient process. One helpful addition we would have liked to see on this camcorder are aperture and shutter speed priority modes, as found on the JVC GZ-MG77 (Review, Specs, $467.95) and Canon DC40 (Review, Specs, $539.99). While not independent manual controls, priority modes would provide added picture control flexibility.

Handling (6.0)
Unusually, the SDR-S150 (Review, Specs, $699.95) can be handled using either the right or left hand. The reason for this is two-fold. It is small enough to accommodate various one-handed grips, and it lacks a right-side hand strap. This may make the SDR-S150 attractive to lefties who are tired of being the square peg in the round hole of camcorderdom.

Portability (9.8)
This camcorder is really the ultimate in pocket-sized power, weighing in at just 287g when fully loaded with battery and SD memory card. To put that in perspective, the other camcorders mentioned in this article average about twice that weight, with the JVC Everio GZ-MG505 (Review, Specs, $829.95) at 544g. In addition, this camcorder lacks a docking station and has a very small power supply, making it by far the most portable “non-toy” camcorder on the market – and that is the greatest strength of the SDR-S150.

LCD/Viewfinder (6.75)
The SDR-S150 is well-equipped with a 2.8” widescreen LCD, a shade larger than the 2.7” screens that are widespread on today’s consumer camcorders. The larger-than average display is especially impressive given the compact size of this camcorder’s body. It is also bright, sharp, and renders colors better than most camcorder LCD’s but it’s not perfect. While Sony screens sometimes appear to have a gauzy overlay, thanks in part to their touchscreen functionality, they solarize much less than this screen when tilted at an angle to the viewer.

The LCD and what lies beneath (not much).

Another oddity with this LCD is that in order to flip the screen towards the subject, away from the shooter, you rotate it down and under. Most camcorders have an up and over approach, and this one repeatedly threw me for a loop. This is something you could easily get used to, but it is a departure from the norm that doesn’t seem to have a reason behind it.

As with other MPEG-2 camcorders like the Everios, the SDR-S150 lacks a viewfinder. It’s a space-saving move and won’t be missed by most casual shooters, but it represents a trend that makes us uneasy. Viewfinders are useful in very bright light, when LCD’s are difficult to read, and they also cut down on power consumption, prolonging battery life. We think they add flexibility to a camcorder, and would have liked to see one on the SDR-S150.