Panasonic PV-GS35 Camcorder Review by Matt Culler Published on Feb 15, 2005 6:00 PM

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (5.0)
The PV-GS35 (Review, Specs, $359.95) (Review, Specs, $283.25) offers cinema effect within its menu system. When selected, this effect letterboxes the image (adds black bars to the top and bottom). Canon’s low-end MiniDV camcorders all offer their “High-Resolution 16:9” modes, which beat this letterboxing.

4:3 standard aspect ratio

Cinema/Widescreen Mode Aspect Ratio

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The PV-GS35 does not offer recording in 24P (24 progressive) or any 24P-like effect to stimulate cinema-like capture. Video is captured at 60 interlaced fields per second each with 525 lines of resolution.

Other Features (6.0)
Backlight: This feature brightens the image slightly, as in a backlit situation. It is indicated by the sun icon.

 Quick Start: This feature, accessed on the back of camcorder, makes startup quicker when necessary, and helps point-and-shooters get that important on-the-go shot.

 New Menu System: Panasonic has overhauled their old menu system, offering a new, improved, more aesthetically pleasing one.

 Magic Pix: This is the night mode of the PV-GS35. Accessed in the manual control menu by selecting the icon with the crescent moon and star, this feature slows the shutter speed significantly and boosts the gain to offer a brighter image. The PV-GS35 lacks Panasonic’s Magic Pix 0 lux, which would turn the LCD screen white so it can be flipped around and used as a light source.

 Fade In/Out: This feature allows the user to fade in and out of a given shot. Indicated by the icon of an arrow within a box on the LCD screen, this feature is available in the camcorder’s manual control menu.

 Wind Cut: This feature reduces audio noise captured on the camcorder’s stereo microphone in outdoor conditions. It can be turned on and off in the camcorder’s menu system.

 Image Stabilization: The PV-GS35 offers electronic image stabilization, which can be toggled on and off within the camcorder’s menu system.

 RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot: This feature allows the user to capture up to 10 pictures at an interval of a half a second. If the manual shutter feature is set to 1/30, only a 0.7 interval is available.

 Webcam: The PV-GS35 can be used as a webcam.