Panasonic PV-GS320 First Impressions Camcorder Review

The Right Side
At the front of the right side is the proprietary audio-video jack, which is hidden behind a soft gray rubber cover.  The AV jack provides stereo audio, composite video, and S-video through an included multi-cable.  The 20mm round speaker is located about midway back from the front.  Just behind the speaker is the reset button and to the rear of the reset button is the auto-manual-focus switch.

The Back
At the top left on the back of the PV-GS320 is the 110K pixel electronic color viewfinder.  The viewfinder can be pulled out from the body of the camcorder by about an inch to help clear a larger battery.  It does not tilt, however.  At the top right of the back is the power on-off slider switch.  A 1.7 second quick start feature is also offered via the menu.  Just below the power switch is a button for activating the menu display on the LCD/EVF.  Below the menu button is the mode dial.  Operating modes include video record, tape playback, photo shot, photo shot playback, and PC mode which is used to transfer still pictures from the camcorder to the computer over USB.  In the center of the mode dial is the joystick control for navigating the menus and selecting options.  The joystick control was introduced by Panasonic several years ago and is one of the best methods for navigating through the various operating controls and manual shooting functions that we have seen. Notably, several camcorder manufacturers have since adopted joysticks controls for their own products.  To the left of the mode dial is the record/pause pushbutton.  Both the joystick and record/pause button are well placed for operation using the thumb of the right hand.

To the left of the record/pause button is the battery cavity.  A VSB0494 7.2V 640mAh battery is included with a VW-VBD120-H 7.2V 1150mAh being suggested for longer record times.  The battery cavity is compatible with the current DU series of Panasonic batteries so inexpensive alternatives are already available for a second battery.  Inside the battery cavity are the AC power coaxial jack, the USB 2 high speed, and the IEEE1394 (Firewire) ports.  Note that the battery must be removed and the camcorder placed on AC power in order to transfer video or still photos to the computer.  This arrangement makes using the PV-GS320 inconvenient if you want to shoot directly to computer hard drive using IEEE1394.

The Left Side
The most prominent feature on the left side is the 2.7 in., 123K pixel, color LCD panel.  The LCD panel can be rotated around its mounting axis to afford a better view if the camcorder is above or below eye line.

The Top
At the top front of the PV-GS320 is the tape transport sliding latch.  When the latch is pushed forward, the tape transport clamshell may be opened to the right to allow a MiniDV tape to be inserted into or removed from the transport mechanism.  At the rear of the top is the zoom slider which is used to control the range and speed of the zoom lens.  The zoom slider is easy to operate with the index finger while holding the camcorder in the right hand.  In comparison to the rocking levers offered, in particular by Sony, the slider lacks some refinement and sensitivity - but its serviceable enough.  Just to the rear of the zoom slider and in front of the power switch is the still photo button.