Panasonic PV-GS300 Camcorder Review

The Front (8.5)
The front of the Panasonic PV-GS300 (Review, Specs, $469.99) splits the camcorder into two orbs which separate the left and right sides. This design places the Leica Dicomar 10x optical zoom lens in the upper left corner, surrounding it with a textured ring that is not a zoom or focal ring—rather, it is the lens ring of the camcorder which may be turned and removed so that accessory lenses can be used. The lens on this MiniDV camcorder has a focal length of 3.0 mm to 30 mm with a filter diameter of 37 mm, while the auto iris has a range of f1.8 to f2.8. The PV-GS300 uses an automatic lens cover which snaps over the surface of the lens when the camera is turned off.

Beneath the lens ring is the in-camera stereo microphone. To the right of it is the white balance sensor and remote control sensor behind a glossy black square. In its center is the video light for illuminating low light scenes. Above the video light and to the right of the Leica Dicomar lens is the flash for still image mode. This flash is vertical in orientation and will undoubtedly result in unflattering light distribution, harsh shadows, and uneven coverage.

The Right Side (8.5)
The primary function of the right side of the Panasonic PV-GS300 is to house the MiniDV compartment, opened via a tab on the top of the camcorder. The PV-GS300 has two ports, the A/V-out port and the Mic-in port, located near the front of the camcorder on the right side and hidden by a port cover. There is a comfortable amount of space between each. The port cover has a rubber hinge which connects the bottom edge of the port cover to the body of the camcorder.

Towards the back of the camcorder is a mound around the mode dial, which helps keep the right hand in place during handheld shooting. The in-camera speaker is located on the right hand side, directly in front of the mode dial. It allows users to monitor audio levels while watching videos in playback. Running along the bottom of the camcorder on a horizontal line is the right hand strap, poorly positioned and sized. The placement is too low for the strap to really feel secure, and the strap is too thin, meaning anyone with hands larger than a small marsupial will feel as though the camcorder could easily break away and fall.

The Back (8.5)
One of the more subtle and unique designs found on this camcorder involves the mode dial. The dial is located on the right side of the camcorder and is placed in the center of the vertical axis. This mode dial has the standard ring control for mode settings, easily switching by rotating it. In the center of the mode dial Panasonic has placed the primary control for manual settings and menu navigation, a small joystick which moves inward as well as in the cardinal directions.

What makes it unique is the angle at which the control is placed. Panasonic has angled the bottom of the control towards the front of the camcorder, allowing easier access and control with the thumb of the right hand when compared to other manufacturers who typically place this control at a ninety degree angle. This little small tilt makes a big difference in speed of manipulation.

To the left of the mode dial is the kidney shaped record button for the PV-GS300. To its left is the battery, which may be disengaged via a tab positioned on the bottom of the camcorder. The right hand strap has an eyelet located to the right of the battery pack near the bottom of the camcorder.

Above the battery pack is the electronic color viewfinder which can be extended away from the camcorder so that the battery pack doesn’t get in the way. When the viewfinder is pulled from the camcorder, the viewfinder adjustment control is visible, located on top of the viewfinder barrel for easy access. To the right of the viewfinder is the clearly labeled, although, somewhat undersized menu button for the PV-GS300. The on/off slider switch is located directly above the menu button and may be controlled by pressing the blue button in the center of the slider while simultaneously sliding the control horizontally to the left or the right.

The Left Side (8.5)
The left side of the Panasonic PV-GS300 features a well sized 2.7-inch LCD screen which flips open via a sturdy hinge located on the front edge of the LCD frame. Although the back edge is angled and textured for easy opening, the LCD can also be accessed by pulling on the top or bottom edge of the frame. The LCD screen can pivot 270 degrees, allowing properly oriented frontal viewing.

In the LCD cavity, exposed once the screen is flipped open, are a few controls and two ports located near the center and back. Closer to the back of the camcorder is the USB 2.0 Hi-speed compliant port as well as a FireWire DV in/out port. The auto/manual focus control switch is located next to these two ports and is easily engaged by the left hand during shooting. Beneath this switch is the Power LCD control which allows the user to brighten the LCD for shooting in less-than-ideal lighting situations. Towards the bottom of the camcorder, beneath these two controls, is the reset feature which returns the camcorder to its original control structure. On the base of the camcorder, on the left side, is the SD memory card slot, covered by a light-gray rubber cover that snaps cleanly away from the camcorder to reveal the slot beneath.

 
Top and bottom

The Top (8.5)
The top of the camcorder places a shoe for accessories very close to the back edge of the camcorder, directly adjacent to the viewfinder. To the right of the cold shoe is the Photo Shot button which allows users to capture still images to memory card. This still image control is comfortably accessed by the index finger of the right hand and won’t impede the functionality of the zoom toggle, positioned directly in front of it. The zoom toggle is also comfortably placed for access with the index finger and although not nearly as sensitive as the ones found on Canon camcorders, the PV-GS300’s toggle has a relatively good reaction sensitivity though the slow end of the speed range seems almost non-existent.

The open/eject tab for the MiniDV tape compartment is placed on the right side near the front of the camcorder and easily slides to allow the tape compartment door to open and the cassette to eject easily. This control is clearly labeled by a full-text description which is protected by a quarter of an inch of clear plastic, so users don’t need to worry about fading over time with heavy use.