2003 CamcorderInfo.com B&H Camcorder Shoot-Off: $900 Price Group

The first camcorder in the group is the Sony DCR-TRV39:

The DCR-TRV39 leans toward red like all of the other Sony camcorders (with the exception of the DCR-TRV19 (Review, Specs, $372)). It improves how well the camcorder films skin tones however it hurts the overall color representation. Shop for the DCR-TRV39 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the DCR-TRV39 @ PriceGrabber

The Panasonic PV-GS70 is the second camcorder in the price group:

The PV-GS70 is clearly the best camcorder under normal lighting conditions is the pricegroup. The colors are very accurate and very sharp. The only major weakness I see is that the yellow tile seems a little dull. Shop for the PV-GS70 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the PV-GS70 @ PriceGrabber

The Sony DCR-PC105 is the third camcorder in the price group:

The DCR-PC105 does a noticeably better job than the DCR-TRV39, not tending to lean towards red like the DCR-TRV39. However, the color clarity and accuracy is not even close to the PV-GS70. Shop for the DCR-PC105 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the DCR-PC105 @ PriceGrabber

Here is the composite of all three camcorders:

In the $900 the three chips in the PV-GS70 destroy the results of the one chip Sony's, the DCR-PC105 and the DCR-TRV39. The color clarity and accuracy really shows through, with the PV-GS70 doing an outstanding job of representing all colors fairly and accuracy yet with great vibrancy. Shop for the PV-GS70 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the PV-GS70 @ PriceGrabber

Here were the results under low lighting, when the light was brought down to 15 LUX.

The Sony DCR-TRV39 does an okay job. The colors are fairly bright however it doesn't stick out. Shop for the DCR-TRV39 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the DCR-TRV39 @ PriceGrabber

The second camcorder is the PV-GS70:

Despite having small 1/6 in. Chips, the three CCDs in the PV-GS70 do a strong job under low light conditions, just barely beating out the Sony's. The main reason that I gave the edge to the PV-GS70 is the magenta tile in the upper right corner, which is much more colorful on the PV-GS70 than either Sony. Shop for the PV-GS70 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the PV-GS70 @ PriceGrabber

The third camcorder is the Sony DCR-PC105:

The DCR-PC105's performance is very similar to that of the DCR-TRV39, in fact it's practically identical. Shop for the DCR-PC105 @ B & H Photo Video - Compare Prices for the DCR-PC105 @ PriceGrabber

Here is the composite of all three camcorders:

Taking both low light and normal light performance into account, the ranking for the $900-$999 price category in the 2003 B & H CamcorderInfo.com Shoot-Off is 1. Panasonic PV-GS70, 2. Sony DCR-PC105, 3. Sony DCR-TRV39. The PV-GS70's three chips deliver a clear win in this category in normal lighting and a slight edge under low lighting. The DCR-PC105 beats the DCR-TRV39 because it doesn't seem to lean towards red.