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


Still Features (6.5)
The PV-GS65 captures stills to its SD card in both digital camera mode and during video recording in camcorder mode, though stills taken during video capture are only available at a resolution of 640 x 480. In card mode, the PV-GS65 can record stills at resolutions of 1280 x 960 and 640 x 480. Resolutions can be toggled in the menu system. These are the same resolutions enjoyed by PV-GS120 users last year. Panasonic does offer their RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot option on the PV-GS65. With it, users can take up to ten photos at a 0.5 second interval (if 1/30 shutter is selected, only 0.7 second intervals are available). The PV-GS65 supports PictBridge technology, allowing for stills to be easily and directly printed.

Still Resolution (4.1)
We tested the still resolution of the PV-GS65 in the same manner in which we tested its video resolution: using Imatest Imaging Software. The PV-GS65 captures still images to SD card at 1280 x 960 and 640 x 480. When stills of both resolutions were processed by Imatest Imaging Software, they gave us 407,745 (0.407 Megapixels) and 161,000 (0.161 Megapixels) pixels of resolution, respectively, at optimal conditions. Again, we want to note that this is “real resolution,” and although it differs from the reported resolution of the camcorder (1.2 Megapixels at 1280 x 960, and 307K pixels at 640 x 480), it is not an unusual reading as all imaging products perform worse in our tests than in the manufacturer's report. We divide the real resolution measurement by 100,000 to get the still resolution score.

Still Performance (6.0)
In my opinion, pretty much any still taken on a digital camcorder is pretty bad, and this camcorder provides no exceptions. However, in relation to other camcorders the PV-GS65 produces good stills. The relatively high still resolution of 1280 x 960 definitely helps; however, what really makes the difference here is the camcorder’s three CCDs. In fact, if you look at both the 1280 x 960 and the 640 x 480 shots taken on the PV-GS65, you’ll notice that they are very similar, whereas if you look at the PV-GS65’s 640 x 480 shot versus the PV-GS35 640 x 480 shot, you’ll notice a big difference. While the PV-GS65’s shot at 1280 x 960 is definitely more crisp than the 640 x 480 shot, both shots show excellent, distinct colors, compared to the PV-GS35’s muddier, nosier colors. See the results below.




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