Panasonic PV-GS250 Camcorder Review

Audio(7.5)
Audio on the PV-GS65 can be captured in either 12 or 16 bits. These options can be set within the camcorder’s menu system. Audio Dubbing, for cool voice-overs and such, is available via remote. The camcorder does feature a port on its right side to which an external microphone can be attached, and a A/V output port which doubles as a headphone output. The accessory shoe on top of the camcorder’s body is intelligent, and allows for external microphones to glean power from the camcorder’s own battery. There is a wind cut option available within the camcorder’s menu system, which cuts down wind noise.

VCR Mode(6.5)
Like many of the other Panasonics this year, the PV-GS250 offers playback modes in both its camcorder and digital camera modes. These modes are accessed using the mode dial. Utilizing the camcorder’s new joystick navigational control, the playback modes of the PV-GS250 are easy to use since they require only one hand. As in the manual control menu of the camcorder, there is an electronically displayed compass button imposed on the LCD screen. On this button are the playback options, whose placement visually corresponds with the user’s navigational interface. Slow-motion/frame-by-frame playback is available with the camcorder’s remote. Television playback is available through use of either the camcorder’s A/V output port or S-Video port. Thumbnail playback of card captured still images is available in digital camera playback mode, and the card can be formatted and edited on the camcorder. The camcorder can be connected to a computer for editing or viewing using the DV port or the USB port.

Ports (7.5)
The PV-GS250 includes a USB, microphone, and A/V/headphone input/output port on the right side, with a DV port underneath the LCD screen and an S-Video port under the mode dial. The placement of the microphone port on the PV-GS250 is intelligent; it's towards the back of the camcorder, near the accessory shoe.