Panasonic PV-GS39 Camcorder Review

by James Murray
Published on Jan 27, 2006 3:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use
 Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
Specs/Ratings




Ease of Use (6.5)

Overall this camcorder excels in ease of use, with simple to use external controls positioned for fast activation without consternation. There are a few areas which could do with improvement; the placement of the Menu button is the largest area of concern, at least for me. It’s placed perfectly in the center of a number of other external controls and positioned in such a way that my thumb could not reach it. Others at CamcorderInfo.com did not share this concern, but it’s worth noting. Instead, I had to use my left hand to activate it, even though the button is within millimeters of controls that are comfortably used by my right.

However, the administrative menu structure is simple to navigate, with full text subsections present throughout. The diagram that serves as the interface for manual control navigation is a bit tedious at first, with only symbols used to represent different settings, although over time these shortcut images should become familiar and easy to use. Thankfully, Panasonic has added the new Information feature, which explains the purpose of each icon when you turn it on. This should prove to be very popular with first time users.

Finally, options which occur across a range (like F Numbers) cannot be easily navigated; every incremental movement requires one individuated nudge with the joystick. This can get very tedious in adjusting, say, gain, which has upwards of 30 increments. If it were possible to merely hold the joystick and scroll through these settings, this joystick control and diagram would be a great way to move through all manual control settings. On the bright side, external controls are well sized and shouldn’t blend in with the surface of the camcorder body.

By comparison, the menus on a Sony camcorder are all accessed via touch screen LCD. This may sound great at first, but it presents a load of problems. First all, the menu often takes up the entire screen, which blocks the picture you're trying to correct.  Also, you've just gotten your greasy fingers all over the only tool you can use to judge image quality. Finally, a touch screen LCD means having the LCD open more often, which results in a shorter battery life. A JVC menu, by contrast, is takes up about half the screen, so you can still see what you're doing.

Handling (8.5)
The PV-GS39 handles all manual control and playback through the menu interface, which isn’t the most effective in terms of efficiency; however, the joystick should provide users with a controller that easily navigates this logical system. The joystick arrangement is better than navigation with a four-way touchpad controller, and much better than the system on, say, the Hitachi DZ-GX3300A, and many other DVD and MiniDV camcorders which hide manual controls on the panel covered by the LCD screen. That system means users have to open the LCD (and not conserve battery power) to use manual controls. Panasonic however gives users the option of using the viewfinder as well as having manual control, which was a much smarter move.

The zoom toggle is well placed for users with small and average sized hands, but my hands are on the large side and I personally had a small problem with the toggle placement. I had to either uncomfortably curl my fingers or adjust the strap looser for a less safe holding position. Also and oddly, the only control not comfortably accessible is the Menu button. It’s placed on the right half of the back face but is only accessible with the left hand. It’s placed perfectly to be just out of reach otherwise.

Portability (7.5)
The Panasonic PV-GS39 has reasonable dimensions that will allow the user to hold this camcorder in one hand during casual shooting and enable easy transport. The camcorder weighs approximately 0.24 pounds and is approximately 3 inches wide, 4.75 inches in length, and 2.75 inches in height. The measurements provided with the manual are a little different; the camcorder is reported as having dimensions of 2 6/16th x 1 4/16th x 3 9/16th inches, which are overly slimming. However, even considering its actual dimensions, the PV-GS39 is a compact low slung camcorder that will easily fit in a bag or large purse when not in use and shouldn’t be seen as a burden during travel.

LCD/Viewfinder (6.5)
The Panasonic PV-GS39 features a new 2.7-inch LCD. The hinge mechanism that attaches it to the body is… interesting (to put it diplomatically). The LCD swivels around a plastic anchoring point which is then connected to the camcorder body via two plastic arms. With so many small plastic parts and the longer LCD, it seems that it would now be easier to snap the LCD off during accidental mishandling. Manipulating it, and feeling the give, increased this impression. The LCD is able to swivel 270 degrees and may be flipped 180 degrees so that subjects facing the camcorder can monitor themselves as they are recorded. When the LCD is flipped, the image on the screen is automatically flipped as well so that it may be viewed properly. The screen can also be rotated and returned to the camcorder body with the LCD facing out.

 

 

The user of the Panasonic PV-GS39 may also choose to use the Electronic Color Viewfinder. This viewfinder can extend from the camcorder body about 1.5”, which means that the face of the user will not be uncomfortably pressed into the body of the camcorder in order to use the viewfinder. The functionality of this feature is also heightened by the placement of manual controls on the exterior of the camcorder body. Often manufacturers will place manual control settings under the LCD screen, making it essential to open the LCD when making changes to image parameters. With the PV-GS39 this won’t be an issue; all manual control access is readily available whether the user is favoring the LCD or the Electronic Color Viewfinder. The eye cup for the viewfinder however is made of uncomfortably hard plastic which appears to be the same material used on the right side of the camcorder body. To adjust the optics of the viewfinder, users must manipulate the well sized and easily used Diopter Adjustment feature located on top of the viewfinder, revealed when the EVF is pulled from the camcorder body.

Battery Life (10.2)
We tested the PV-GS39’s CGR-DU06 battery for shooting duration by leaving the camcorder recording continuously without engaging any of the manual controls. The EIS was turned off, and all controls left in auto. The tape was changed once during this process, and we plugged in the DC power to do so. In total the battery lasted for an outstanding 101 minutes and 59 seconds.

VCR Mode (6.5)
The VCR mode provides a number of options that can be used prior to exporting footage from MiniDV to PC or another viewing device. Once the Playback Mode has been engaged via the mode dial, the accessed VCR mode allows users to control standard Play, Stop, Pause, FF and Rewind controls through the cardinal directions of the joystick controller. To adjust audio levels during playback, the user engages the zoom toggle to either raise or lower these levels. To play back still images, users must switch to the Memory Card Playback Mode; they can then start and stop slide shows with the up arrow, erase images via the down arrow, play back one image with the left arrow, and move forward among successive images with the right arrow. To view multiple thumbnail images users will need to slide the zoom toggle once to the left. This will prompt six still image files to be displayed as thumbnails on one screen.



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