Panasonic PV-GS65 Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Feb 8, 2005 11:00 AM

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


Comparisons
Sony DCR-HC42 (Review, Specs, $399.95)
Sony’s offering at the $600 mark this year is its DCR-HC42. This camcorder is basically an upgraded DCR-HC40 (Review, Specs, $539.94) from last year. Sony has completely redesigned the external design of the DCR-HC42, giving it a 16:9 LCD screen, a new streamlined body, a 12x optical zoom, an intelligent accessory shoe, and an enhanced 16:9 mode. However, Sony has not upgraded the DCR-HC40’s imager, so we can expect similar low light performance on the DCR-HC42. What this means is substantially lesser quality low light performance on this year’s $600 Sony MiniDV camcorder, compared to Panasonic’s. This coupled with the PV-GS65 (Review, Specs, $899)’s wealth of manual control may mean that Panasonic, in offering a 3 CCD camcorder at such a low price, will continue in its dominance of the $500-$1000 camcorder market.

Panasonic PV-GS65
The PV-GS65 features the same imager, video, and low light performance as last year’s PV-GS120 (Review, Specs, $479). Still performance and manual control between the two camcorders is identical as well. The most salient difference between the two camcorders is the redesign that the PV-GS65 features. Included in this revamping of the PV-GS120 are the PV-GS65’s rounder, more ergonomically designed body and its new menu and navigation system. Both of these features make the PV-GS65 a great point-and-shoot, one-handed camcorder, with the ability to capture great video, and all at a great price.

Panasonic PV-GS150 (Specs, $449.95)
If the user opts to purchase the PV-GS150, Panasonic’s next most expensive 3 CCD camcorder, he or she will gain a built-in lens cover which is pretty cool, though still no focus ring. On top of this the PV-GS150 features improved imaging specifications, a built-in flash, bigger still resolutions (1760 x 1320), and a hot accessory shoe. Both camcorders have 10x optical zooms.

Canon Elura 80 (Specs, $299.95)
For about $50 more, the Canon Elura 80 is available. This is Canon’s revamped Elura 60 (Specs, $429.99) from last year; however, this year, Canon includes a better optical zoom, a smaller design, and a high resolution 16:9 mode, as seen on last year’s Optura 400 (Specs, $999) and 500. When compared to the PV-GS65, the Canon Elura 80 enjoys a better optical zoom and 16:9 mode, but, in sharing the same imager as the Elura 60, we can only expect mediocre to poor low light performance--definitely inferior to a 3 chip camcorder.

Who It's For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
The PV-GS65 is definitely a one-handed camcorder (i.e. you can shoot comfortably with one hand), and though the manual control sections are a bit hard to access, point-and-shooters don’t care about that stuff too much anyway. There is an auto mode but no easy mode, unfortunately.

Budget Consumers (8.5)
The PV-GS65, as Panasonic’s most modestly priced 3 CCD camcorder, is a great deal, especially for those who crave video performance and manual control.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (5.0)
We can’t recommend the PV-GS65 for its still capture; it isn’t spectacular, though better than most camcorders, and the strength of the camcorder is elsewhere.

Gadget Freak (6.0)
The only gadgety thing on the PV-GS65 is its ability to capture good video at a small price.

Manual Control Freaks (8.5)
Like all Panasonic MiniDV camcorders, the PV-GS65 offers a good amount of manual control to go along with its bundle of CCDs. With manual control over everything but audio levels, the PV-GS65 is a good buy for the manual control freak.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists (7.0)
The PV-GS65 is a solid buy for the serious hobbyist; even more so for the serious hobbyist without tons of cash, looking for good video at a cheap price.

Conclusion
The Panasonic PV-GS65 holds the lower-tier 3 CCD camcorder slot for Panasonic this year, and it holds it well. While the camcorder doesn’t offer any new manual controls or better imaging specs, it is a testament to Panasonic’s effort at making its new camcorders more user-friendly. Not only is the new menu system easier to navigate but the new joystick that navigates it affords the PV-GS65, and indeed all of Panasonic’s new models, the ability to be operated comfortably with one hand, a must for any point-and- shooter. Obviously, there are some problems: the manual control menu is somewhat hard to navigate and the zoom toggle isn’t the greatest, but all in all, the accolades we gave to last year’s Panasonic 3 CCD camcorders continue this year. The verdict on the PV-GS65 is out: Panasonic has designed a great camcorder that can produce great video quality while providing point-and-shooters something to work with.



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