Panasonic PV-GS250 Camcorder Review

The Front (8.5)
The front of the PV-GS250 has been overhauled from last year’s PV-GS200 model. Overall, the front has been made much more curvilinear. While most of the major elements remain (the lens, the stereo microphone, and the flash), they have shifted around a bit. The lens is still in the same place, but the stereo microphone has moved from under it to the left side of the front, directly under the flash. The PV-GS250 is big enough to place the microphone away from the user’s fingers. The infrared sensor on the front of the camcorder has moved from immediately below the lens to immediately below the flash, between it and the microphone. The front edge of the strap protrudes from the lower left of the front of the camcorder, making extra room for the fingers, and includes a very convenient snapping clip to quickly attach and detach the camcorder’s lens cover.

The Right Side (8.5)
The right side of the PV-GS250 hasn’t changed too much since last year’s PV-GS200. It holds the same tape mechanism panel as last year. This panel folds open from the top, allowing for easy switching of tapes. Among the cosmetic differences, the PV-GS250 is sleeker and has shed the finger grips found on last year’s model. Also, the mode switch has been moved from the right side of the PV-GS200 to the LCD cavity on the PV-GS250. This makes the switch a bit harder to get to than last year, but not that much. The port cover is located directly to the left of the gray tape mechanism panel. This cover reveals the PV-GS250’s A/V input/output (headphone out), microphone input, and USB port.

The Left Side (8.5)
The left side of the PV-GS250 is similar to that of the PV-GS200, but again, has been made much more curvilinear. Instead of the squarish style of the PV-GS200, the PV-GS250 includes an LCD screen whose outer side curves up and under, conforming to the cylindrical form of the camcorder. The cluster of buttons, including the prominent compass button found on last year’s PV-GS200, has been removed in favor of Panasonic’s new navigational system, a joystick mechanism located on the back of the camcorder. Under the LCD is the camcorder’s FireWire port, auto/manual mode switch, and Power LCD button. The camcorder’s SD card wraps around the bottom of the LCD cavity, stretching towards the bottom of the camcorder. While not as cool-looking as last year’s port, it’s still pretty spiffy.

The Back (8.5)
The back of the PV-GS250 is similar in layout to last year’s PV-GS200; it includes a battery port, electronic viewfinder, mode dial, and on/off switch. But things have been rearranged for the better: one of the best things about these new Panasonics, from the PV-GS250 on down the line, is the new extremely easy-to-use navigational system. The ergonomically designed new layout is instantly felt and appreciated as soon as you grasp the camcorder. It’s definitely designed for one-handed use. The mode dial on the PV-GS250 includes mode options for camcorder, camcorder playback, still camera, still camera playback, and PC connect modes. In the center of the dial is the new navigational joystick, which navigates an electronic image of the old compass button of last year, now projected on the LCD display. Above these controls are the quick start and menu buttons. Below these controls is a humongous port cover revealing the camcorder’s S-Video port.

The Top (8.5)
The top of the PV-GS250 is almost identical to that of last year’s PV-GS200. It lacks the grip found on last year’s model, but includes an identical photo button and zoom toggle. The zoom toggle is the worst part of this camcorder. It is very hard to control and get smooth zooms with. There is also an intelligent accessory shoe and relatively mobile viewfinder.