Panasonic PV-GS500 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Guy Bruner
Published on Jan 6, 2006 4:00 PM

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


Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control
Automatic controls on the PV-GS500 (Review, Specs, $1040) are the same as the GS400 (Review, Specs, $1099). When shooting video, the shutter is fixed at 1/60 second and iris/gain is adjusted by the camcorder's electronic sensors as necessary to maintain exposure. Although gain can be adjusted manually up to 18dB for extremely low light conditions, the automatic mode limits gain to a maximum of 15dB. White balance is adjusted automatically for most lighting conditions. Focus is also automatic.

Overall Manual Control
Users have manual control over most frequently adjusted camcorder functions like iris, shutter, focus, zoom, audio level, flash brightness, and white balance. Except for focus, which can be controlled by the manual ring, other functions are adjusted via a menu setting. I found the manual controls to be limiting as compared to the GS400. The GS400 made some manual controls such as iris and shutter more accessible through external push-buttons.  While the joystick menus are relatively convenient, I felt constrained by the menu system.  If you are one who tends to keep the camcorder in manual so you can tweak the shooting parameters, the GS500 will frustrate. If you are primarily a point and shooter, you may not miss the extra convenience the GS400 offered at all.

Zoom
The GS500 has a 12x optical zoom and a 700x digital zoom. Digital zoom can also be limited to 30X via a menu option.

Focus
In automatic control, focus is adjusted by the camcorder's electronic sensors. In manual, the user may select to adjust focus with the manual ring.

Exposure (Aperture)
The iris can be adjusted for apertures from f/1.6 to f/16 in both video and stills mode.

Shutter Speed
The shutter is manually adjustable in video mode from 1/60 to 1/8000 of a second. In stills mode, the shutter ranges from 1/2 to 1/2000 of a second.

White Balance
The PV-GS500 has automatic white balance when in auto mode. In manual mode, the user may select presets for auto, indoor, outdoor, and fluorescent lighting. Also, manual white balance may be selected which allows compensation for a wider range of color temperatures.

Gain
As light levels drop and the iris can no longer open wider, gain may be employed to brighten the scene. The PV-GS500 allows the user to set up to 18dB of gain in 1dB increments.  The display updates changes in gain in 3dB increments.







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