Panasonic PV-GS35 Camcorder Review

Comparisons
Panasonic PV-GS15
The PV-GS35 is very similar to the PV-GS15 from last year. They share similar images, manual controls, and test results. While there are subtle differences in their tests, their individual pros and cons average out. The PV-GS35 does have some distinct factors that distinguish it from the PV-GS15, namely an unprecedented 30x optical zoom and a tremendously better navigational system.

Panasonic PV-GS65
Panasonic’s cheapest 3 CCD camcorder this year, the PV-GS65, includes the same navigational system and handling pluses that are seen on the PV-GS35, but with the 3 CCDs, it offers tremendously better video for only a slightly bigger price. The PV-GS65 also offers still image capture at a better resolution of 1280 x 960. The PV-GS65 does not include the zoom mic function found on the PV-GS35, though it does have a cold accessory shoe, making the camcorder’s microphone input a bit more practical than the PV-GS35’s.

Sony DCR-HC32
Sony’s DCR-HC32 offers a similarly-sized CCD as Panasonic’s PV-GS35 and will likely perform similarly. In the manual control department, however, this year’s Sony MiniDV camcorders maintain the same lack of manual shutter speed and independent iris control found on last year’s models. Additionally, the DCR-HC32 has Sony’s touch screen menu system, which, while offering cool features like Spot Metering and Spot Focusing, hinders manual adjustment. The DCR-HC32 includes an optical zoom of 20x to the PV-GS35’s 30x. The PV-GS35 really wins on options, giving you way better manual control and audio options where the Sony gives none.

Canon ZR300
The Canon ZR300 is available at the same price as the Panasonic PV-GS35. While the two camcorders share similarly sized imagers, I harbor some skepticism as to whether or not this year's ZRs can perform as well as this year's Panasonics. Of course, this is mere speculation, but last year's ZRs share imagers with this year's ZRs and the former performed horribly in low light conditions. On top of this, the ZR300 features no microphone input or S-Video port, has a 22x (rather than 30x) optical zoom, and offers fewer, lower-quality manual controls. There are some good things going for the ZR300, namely the inclusion of the same High-Resolution 16:9 mode found on last year's Optura 400 and 500. This beats the PV-GS35's letterboxed 16:9 mode. Also, the ZR300 includes a jog dial for menu navigation, and while the PV-GS35's new navigational method makes one-handed camcorder use easier, the ZR300's jog dial may make focal adjustments a bit easier. The deciding factor, though, is low light performance. We'll see how the ZR300 does when we get into the testing room.

JVC GR-D295
Finally, available for the same price as the PV-GS35, JVC's most expensive camcorder in its Compact series, the GR-D295, ships with a CCD similar to last year's JVC low-end MiniDV camcorders and the PV-GS35. While this may sound like good news considering last year's JVC camcorders' excellent low light performance, it should be noted that on the GR-D295, JVC has removed the 3D Noise Reduction technology found on last year's camcorders, making me a little skeptical of its otherwise auspicious specifications. Additionally, the camcorder doesn't feature a microphone input and has a pretty pathetic button navigational system, though manual control offerings could be worse. It is also bottom-loading, which is a bummer.

Who It's For
Point-and-Shooters (7.5)
The PV-GS35 is one of the more versatile point-and-shoot camcorders this year. While it doesn’t offer the easy mode most point-and-shooters love, it does include an auto mode, and its superb handling really makes the camcorder a breeze to operate with one hand. Also, Panasonic has improved last year’s menu system significantly which makes menu navigation, if necessary, pretty easy and clear.

Budget Consumers (6.5)
While certainly not the cheapest 1 chip MiniDV camcorder made by Panasonic this year, the PV-GS35 does include some features which make it a good deal for the cash you throw down for it. These include a S-Video port, a SD card port, and a 30x optical zoom.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (2.0)
While the PV-GS35 does include a SD card port, we cannot recommend it for its still capabilities. It records stills to card at 640 x 480, a resolution easily bettered by any dedicated digital still camera.

Gadget Freak (7.0)
The massive optical zoom on the PV-GS35 is pretty impressive as a gadget; however, essentially, the PV-GS35 is a standard Panasonic MiniDV camcorder.

 Manual Control Freaks (8.0)
The Panasonic PV-GS35 offers a wealth of manual control for such a small, lower-tier MiniDV camcorder. It has more manual controls than any other manufacture’s lower-tier MiniDV camcorder.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists (5.5)
For a serious hobbyist, we cannot recommend the PV-GS35; we recommend that they look to the cheaper Panasonic 3 chip camcorders for a backup camcorder.

Conclusion
The PV-GS35 is a great 1 chip MiniDV camcorder with a recording breaking and astounding 30x optical zoom. Although otherwise, the PV-GS35 doesn’t see many upgrades from last year’s PV-GS15 - it maintains last year's stability. For instance, the imager, the ports, and manual controls offered are identical. But, the few upgrades that the PV-GS35 offers, namely the 30x optical zoom and the new navigational systems, hit key areas which needed improvement from last year. Panasonic was already providing decent low light performance, but their camcorders last year really suffered from a bad navigational system. This year Panasonic has overhauled not only the menu system of these camcorders, of which the PV-GS35 is the flagship, but also the method with which this system is navigated, namely, with the addition of the joystick. Now the camcorder can be operated smoothly with one hand, and it can zoom in really, really far. With reductions from other manufacturers in the features they offer, the PV-GS35 looks even more attractive than last year's Panasonic. The $500 Sony DCR-HC32, Canon ZR300, and JVC GR-D295 all don't offer a microphone input or headphone out, but the PV-GS35 gives you both. Add this to awesome manual control and an a record breaking 30x optical zoom, and Panasonic has really worked to bridge the gap between manual control lovers, which they have attracted in the past, and point-and-shooters who have been discouraged in the past with the handling ability and convenience of Panasonic’s 1 chip camcorders’.