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


Widescreen/16:9 Mode (5.0)
The PV-GS65 offers a letterboxed 16:9 mode which places black bars on the top and bottom of the captured image as well as the LCD screen during preview and capture. To access this option, select the cinema effect from the camcorder’s advanced menu section. A true 16:9 image is not possible on the PV-GS65 as the camcorder’s CCD has a 16:9 aspect ratio; thus any widescreen image must be digitally altered after capture, hence the letterboxing. As you can see from the above resolution chart (look for the aspect ratio arrows on the chart's corners), the PV-GS65's Cinema mode doesn't offer an exact 16:9 ratio. Additionally, the camcorder's standard recording mode's 4:3 ratio is a bit off as well (see next chart). It should be noted that the PV-GS65's cinema effect never claims to attain a 16:9 aspect ratio; the manual states that Cinema allows the user to capture video "compatible with widescreen TVs." Interpret that as you will.

Cinema Mode Aspect Ratio

Standard 4:3 Aspect Ratio

 

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The PV-GS65 does not offer recording in 24P (24 progressive) or any 24P-like effect to stimulate cinema-like capture. Video is captured at the rate of 60 interlaced fields per second each, with 525 reported lines of resolution.

Other Features (7.0)

Magic Pix (Magic Pix and 0 Lux Magic Pix)
Indicated by the star and moon icon, this feature functions as the camcorder’s night mode and actually operates in two modes: Magic Pix, a slow shutter mode which lets more light in, and 0 Lux Magic Pix, which turns the LCD screen bright white so that it can be reversed and shed more light on the scene.

TeleMacro
Indicated by the Flower icon, this feature focuses on the foreground object (about 16 inches in front of the camcorder). If selected when the camcorder is not zoomed in to 10x optical zoom, this feature forces the camcorder to zoom to 10x and focus on the foreground object. The background becomes blurry, with crisp focus placed on the close-up object.

Fade In/Out
Indicated by the icon of an arrow within a box, this feature allows the user to fade in and out of a given shot. This feature is available in the camcorder’s manual control menu.

Wind Cut
Available in the camcorder’s menu system, this feature reduces wind noise when recording with the camcorder’s built-in stereo microphone.

Image Stabilization
The PV-GS65 offers Electronic Image Stabilization which works great when the zoom isn’t engaged. However, at full optical zoom the PV-GS65 has a bit of trouble keeping a handheld image stable. It’s not terrible, but it’s not stellar either.

RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot
As the burst mode for still picture capture while in still mode, this feature allows the user to capture up to 10 pictures at an interval of a 0.5 seconds. But, if the shutter speed is set to 1/30 of second, a interval of 0.7 seconds can be established.

QuickStart
This function allows the camcorder to enter into standby mode for thirty minutes, during which it can be turned on in a shorter time (1.7 sec) than normal and ready for recording to either tape or card, depending on the camcorder’s mode selection. During the QuickStart standby time, the camcorder uses about half the power that it uses in during recording mode, meaning that you’re draining battery power, and will have less overall recording than if you just turned the thing off completely. One warning: once the QuickStart standby is implemented, the camcorder’s zoom mechanism automatically retracts to wide angle. Thus, you cannot save a particular zoom magnification while standing by. If you were to turn the camcorder completely off, your zoom magnification would remain, which, in a way, makes the QuickStart function contradictory.



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