Panasonic PV-GS59 Camcorder Review

Still Features (6.5)
Still camera features on the PV-GS59 are limited, so this camcorder should not be regarded as more than a snapshot device. The maximum still image resolution is 640 x 480, and images are captured in JPEG format to SD memory card. The camcorder provides two compression setting options, High and Normal. Stills are captured by pressing the Photo Shot button, which is located on top of the camcorder just behind the Zoom Toggle. There is no on-board flash, and an SD card is not shipped with the camcorder. The PV-GS59 features “RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot” mode, which is Panasonic’s name for burst mode on this camcorder. When in burst mode, the camcorder can capture up to 10 still images in quick succession.

The manual controls and Scene Modes of the PV-GS59 are available during still capture making for a highly adjustable image. While the camcorder’s manual controls are available in still mode, it’s hard to imagine many users taking the time to tweak a 640 x 480 snapshot. Another still feature with questionable widescreen mode achieves a 16:9 aspect ratio by cropping the already meager image. The resulting 16:9 stills have a resolution of only 640 x 360. The camcorder produces a digital clicking noise when images are captured, and the sound effect can be turned on or off.

Still Resolution (1.0)
The PV-GS59’s stills were tested for their resolution by shooting a standard ISO 12233 resolution chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software. In all, the PV-GS59 produced a resolution of 95105.4075 (with an average clipping of 1.71%). For more information on clipping, read the Video Resolution section above).

The chart below shows how the PV-GS59 compared to the competition.

Still Performance (3.25)
With a still size limited to 640 x 480, the PV-GS59 indicts itself as a poor substitute for a dedicated still camera from the outset. Looking at the image, it’s hard to imagine ever wanting to use this feature. Color performance is uneven, with too much red and a very poor green channel. Noise levels are intense, which is hard to accept when the lighting is this strong. In short, avoid taking stills with this camcorder unless you are doing so for emergencies or archival purposes.

The Panasonic PV-GS39 offers the same still features and the same lousy performance. The JVC GR-D395 was less noisy and looked a little sharper, but like its video, the colors were washed out. There were also traces of blue noise in the image. The Sony DCR-HC36 had equally poor color balance, erring on the side of blue. Noise was high for 3000 lux, but not as high as the PV-GS59. All of these camcorders shot at a maximum size of 640 x 480, so we can’t fault them much. With that sort of restriction, the manufacturer is hardly advertising the camcorder as a still camera replacement.

Only the Canon Elura 100 had a higher still resolution, 1152 x 864. Though the stills are bigger, Canon probably should have left well enough alone. Yes, the image is far sharper and more detailed than any other these other camcorder’s stills. The color performance, however, is abysmal – completely washed out.

It all comes down to a very simple dictum. If you want stills, use a still camera. If you want video, read on, dear friends, read on.