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



Still Features (6.5)
There are very basic still image controls available on this camcorder. Users can shoot still images with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 in JPEG format to SD memory card. These images may be saved with two compression setting options (High or Normal). Still images are captured via the Photo Shot button which is positioned well on top of the camcorder. There is no in-camera flash and an SD card is not included in the box, which is the case with some hybrid camcorders now on the market. Users will find that there is an option to shoot in “RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot” mode, which is essentially a burst mode with a long-winded title. The burst mode on this camcorder allows users to shoot 10 images in fairly quick succession. The best thing about the PV-GS39’s still mode is that all the same manual controls are available here: iris, gain, shutter speed, and white balance, in addition to soft skin, backlight compensation. Also, this camcorder can take stills in 16:9 mode. Unfortunately, it employs a crop and zoom method that curtails the resolution down to 640 x 360. Scene modes are also accessible when shooting in still mode and users can choose whether to have an audio sample of a shutter effect emitted when images are captured.

Still Resolution (1.0)
The Panasonic PV-GS39 was tested for its resolution when taking stills, using Imatest Imaging Software. The camcorder is limited to 640 x 480 stills, which significantly cut its chances of scoring well in this category. In fact, we were not able to obtain stills that did not clip when run through Imatest. Clipping occurs when the software determines that the exposure is too high, or in this case, too low. This can result in inaccuracies of the resolution score. It is a problem that can occur with lower-end camcorders, or sometimes with even good camcorders that are overly-contrasty. We increased the exposure three times, finally reaching 6035 lux, and the image still clipped. According to Imatest, the resolution score of the PV-GS39 is 104281.2, with a clipping of 0.856%.

Still Performance (3.25)
The PV-GS39 is not a still camera replacement in sense of the term. While it has a number of great features, like shutter speed, iris control, gain, and the whole lot from the video mode side, a feature set doesn’t do a thing when your still resolution is 640 x 480, or in the case of the 16:9 mode, 480 x 360.



At 3000 lux, the same light reading as our video performance test, the GS39 produced a dull, grainy, and slightly out of focus still picture. It reproduced none of the “popping” colors found in the video. Vibrant green looks like pea soup. The reds, oranges, and violets are far too muted. Only the blue looks in terms of color performance, and even that has a lot of noise. And unlike the video performance, this noise is not quite so fine grained. A poor performance all around. 

Compared to last year’s GS35, the still performance has serious degraded. The GS35 is a little more saturated and a lot sharper. The only thing the GS39 has going in its favor is stronger white tones. Last year’s ZR300’s, another comparable camcorder, also produced much better stills. While nearly as noisy, the picture was overall more crisp, and had more vivid colors.



<< Auto / Manual Controls | Handling and Use >>