Panasonic PV-GS320 Camcorder Review

by David Kender
Published on Jul 9, 2007 10:00 AM

Intro Performance
Format Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features
 Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Comparisons / Conclusion Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings  
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The SD card slot,
located underneath the body

Still Features (6.75)
The Panasonic PV-GS320 captures stills at a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1512, with options for 1600 x 1200 and 640 x 480 (VGA) in 4:3 aspect ratio. If you switch the aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen mode, stills can be captured in resolutions of 2048 x 1152 and 640 x 360. Still images can only be saved to an SD card, as there is no dual record mode, meaning you cannot take stills while simultaneously shooting video. Two picture quality settings, high and normal, are available within the still image administrative menu. The PV-GS320 includes a 10 second self timer for those moments when no one is around to snap. The self timer can be instantly disabled by pressing the menu button.

While most camcorders below the PV-GS320’s price range include a flash and/or video light, you won’t find either of those here. It’s pretty odd not to even include a flash on a camcorder that snaps relatively large stills. Panasonic is touting this 3CCD MiniDV machine as more of a video juggernaut as opposed to a renaissance hybrid. Scene modes, guidelines, white balance, shutter speed, and aperture are all available in still mode. The only other still features available on the PV-GS320 are its ability to print directly from the camcorder to a DPOF compatible printer, and a nifty little shutter effect sound you can apply to your snap. All in all, slim pickins’, folks.



The Basic admin menu in still mode

The Advanced admin menu in still mode

Still Performance (8.02)
We tested the Panasonic PV-GS320 for its still photo performance by shooting a standard Gretag McBeth Color Checker chart and running the stills through Imatest imaging software. When shooting at the best quality, the 2048 x 1512 stills produced a color error of 8.14, with a noise level of 1.33% and a 108.6% saturation. These scores are about average for middle-of-the-road camcorders. In order to get these best scores, the exposure had to be lowered. The PV-GS320 has no exposure compensation, so we closed the aperture down by one increment, to f/3.4 (auto mode set the aperture to f/2.8). The shutter was fixed at 1/60th.

Still Resolution (28.48)

In order to determine the still resolution of the Panasonic PV-GS320, we shot an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and ran those stills through Imatest imaging software. Unlike the still color performance, the resolution scored highest when in full auto mode. At best, the PV-GS320 produced 1480 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) – with a clipping of 1.8% and a 72.5% oversharpening – and a 734.5 lw/ph – with 0% clipping and a 12.7% oversharpening.

 

 

 

 



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