Panasonic PV-GS59 Camcorder Review

Comparison
Panasonic PV-GS39
The Panasonic PV-GS59, with an MSRP of $379, costs $30 more than its step-down cousin the PV-GS39, and as you’d expect with camcorders so close in cost, there are only a few differences between the two camcorders. The PV-GS59 has a front-mounted remote control sensor, and while the remote is not included in the box (it’s an optional purchase) it does open up the ability to do in-camcorder audio dubbing. The PV-GS59 also has a: ”High-Speed” rather than Full-Speed USB port and Panasonic’s Motion DV Studio/Quick Movie Magic software is included. In terms of their imaging capabilities, these camcorders are virtually identical. Is the $30 worth the few bells and whistles thrown into the PV-GS59 package? Maybe, but it would have been more so if the remote controller HAD been included rather than just the sensor.

JVC GR-D395
The JVC GR-D395 and Panasonic PV-GS59 are very close in price, and share many features - which is not surprising since both companies are owned by Matsushita, and include more manual controls on their than other manufacturer. The JVC’s optical zoom is 32x vs. 30x, and it offers a few features found on the PV-GS59 including the excellent Data Battery power meter. But the Panasonic does well where the JVC falls short. It handles better, with its rear-mounted joystick interface, its tape compartment is not bottom-loading, it has a more comfortable hand strap and superior zoom toggle, and its manual control feature set is better, with f-stop exposure adjustment vs. an EV-based scale. The Panasonic PV-GS59 is a more refined camcorder, and its initial MSRP of $379 is only a few dollars more than the GR-D395 at $370.

Canon Elura 100
The Canon Elura 100 with a $399 MSRP is the best sub-$500 we’ve seen in a long time. Its 1/5” CCD is bigger than the 1/6” chip on the PV-GS59, and turned in stunning video performance that trounces its peers. The Elura also offers some options missing from the PV-GS59 - like a mic input, and analog-to-digital pass-through. While the overall manual control feature set on the Panasonic is stronger, we think the combination of better video, an external mic capability, and the option to bring in analog footage more than makes up for this. The PV-GS59’s MSRP is $20, but the microphone jack alone puts the Canon on value par with the Panasonic. Advantage: Elura 100

Sony DCR-HC36
Panasonic and Sony have very different philosophies when it comes to producing consumer camcorders. The PV-GS59 encapsulates Panasonic’s belief that its better to give users a serious tool with a strong manual control feature set permitting a high degree of image control, while not abandoning users who prefer to leave the driving up to the camcorder’s Auto Mode. Meanwhile, the DCR-HC36 is a classic implementation of Sony’s belief that most camcorder users don’t need – or want – manual control over the image. It’s an easy to use camcorder that bests the Panasonic in Auto Mode, but doesn’t provide much in the way of manual control, and has a weaker 20 x optical zoom vs. 30x on PV-GS59. We think the Panasonic is a better camcorder overall, because manual control will usually yield a better picture than Auto. Unless you know you’ll only use your shoot in Auto Mode, choose the $379 PV-GS59 over the $399 Sony DCR-HC36.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (5.0)
This is a decent camcorder for point-and-shooters, but its Auto performance is not spectacular. Sony’s DCR-HC36 performs slightly better in Auto Mode (which Sony calls Easy Mode) and offers better automatic controls like spot metering. Its LCD interface is also simpler to use than the Panasonic’s joystick making it a better choice for Auto-only shooting.

Budget Consumers (8.0)
In terms of bang for the buck, the PV-GS59 is an excellent choice given how much manual control power it packs into its $379 package. Panasonic’s one chip camcorders all provide the best manual control feature set you can find in a sub-$400 camcorder, and offer solid video and Auto Mode performance. An even better value, for a few dollars more, is Canon’s Elura 100 which adds a mic in, better video performance and analog-to-digital pass through.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.0)
This camcorder, and its Panasonic one-chip cohort can only capture stills at a maximum 640 x 480 resolution, placing them at the low end of camcorders with a still image capability. The PV-GS59 is not a strong hybrid camcorder.

Gadget Freaks (3.5)
Gadget freaks won’t find a large number of unusual or unique features on the PV-GS59, but it does have a great manual control feature set for the price. This makes for highly tweakable images, and should provide plenty of entertainment for those who like to know every nook and cranny of their digital devices.

Manual Control Freaks (7.0)
Panasonic might call manual control freaks their core constituency – and the PV-GS59 will not disappoint users who sneer at the notion that Auto Mode can yield a decent picture. In the one-chip camcorder arena, no manufacturer offers a more compelling combination of manual control, handling and video performance than Panasonic in its PV-GS 29/39/59 family.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (5.0)
These users are similar to manual control freaks in terms of the importance they place on manual controls, but these users may find the lack of an external microphone input to be a fatal flaw in this camcorder. Without the ability to attach an external mic and capture professional quality audio, the PV-GS59 can’t qualify as a professional tool. This group of users will find Panasonic’s three-chip camcorders of greater interest, but may also want to take a look at the Canon Elura 100.

Conclusion
The PV-GS59’s greatest strength is what makes all the Panasonic camcorder great: outstanding manual controls and handling. How then, can one choose among them? “Very carefully,” we reply. The PV-GS39, PV-GS59, and PV-GS180 - all in a row in the product line - are like a balancing act of features. The company clearly didn’t want to give anybody too much or the differentiation gets pretty thin between all seven MiniDV camcorders.

So… it breaks down like this: The PV-GS39 ($349) and PV-GS59 ($379) have the same core specs, including a single 1/6” 800K CCD, widescreen LCD, and 30x zoom. The PV-GS59 gives you the extra benefits of: compatibility with a remote (not included) that gives you more playback options, a faster USB connection, editing software, and audio dubbing. All this for less than fifty bucks more.

Moving up from there to the PV-GS180 ($599) is a big difference. Rather than a single CCD, you get three 1/6” 800K chips. This makes for an enormous improvement in video quality, and just about worth the significant price increase. But you definitely lose out on some things. In order to justify the pricing structure in the 3CCD tier of camcorders, Panasonic actually shrunk the LCD to 2.5 inches (non-widescreen). Also, the zoom shrinks to 10x, which is pretty standard amongst higher-end camcorders. But wait… compare that with the inclusion of a mic input and it just about evens out.

Of course, shopping does not take place in a manufacturer’s bubble, and we must mention yet again what an enticing model Canon offers this year with the Elura 100: outstanding video performance, a mic input, and a great low price.

The PV-GS59 has a lot to offer, but it simply can’t take the competition. Either spring for the upgrade to the PV-GS180 or take a good, long look at the Canon Elura 100.