Panasonic AG-DVC30 Camcorder Review
by Tony FonsecaPublished on Mar 30, 2004 12:00 AM
Panasonic's new $2,595 (MSRP) AG-DVC30 is really many cameras in one. This model jumps into the arena with other ¼ inch prosumer cameras such as the popular GL-2 and the PDX10 (Review, Specs, $1349). Panasonic has not competed in this arena for a while and judging from the AG-DVC30, they did their home work while sitting on the sideline. The three chip ¼ inch cameras have a tough niche to fill because they are used so many different ways. Some use these cameras to do wedding videography, while others may use them for news gathering, surveillance, and even filmmaking. Customization and the ability to fit the shooting environment is key in this niche. It's tough to tell exactly what audience Panasonic was going after with the AG-DVC30, but with the wealth of options available this camera can change to fit any number of situations.
Video Performance (8.5)
The video performance on the Panasonic AG-DVC30 is quite good. Images appear sharp and crisp. This camera features three ¼ inch 410,000 pixel CCDs which have 380,000 effective pixels. Interestingly this is the same pixel count as Panasonic's much praised 1/3 inch CCD AG-DVX100.
When compared to the GL-2 at 3000 lux, the AG-DVC30 yields an image that is slightly brighter, but the colors are not as saturated. Similarly when compared to the TRV950 (DSR-PDX10 (Review, Specs, $1349)), colors are not as saturated, but the overall image is brighter. Some cameras tend to emphasize a particular color and in this comparison the GL-2 and the DCR-TRV950 appear to favor red while the AG-DVC30 appears to be more neutral and accurate.
When compared to the DCR-VX2100 (Review, Specs, $1980), the DCR-VX2100 produces better images overall, but this is to be expected because those cameras feature 1/3 inch CCDs whereas the AG-DVC30 has ¼ inch CCDs.
The AG-DVC30 includes a special Movie Like mode which drops the frame rate to 30 frames progressive scan and adds CineGamma for increased detail in the highlights and dark areas to better mimick film. CineGamma is also featured on the AG-DVX100 and it really seems to increase the exposure latitude and give the user a richer, fuller image. The 30 frames progressive scan mode can be disabled for times when it is not appropriate for the shooting circumstances, and CineGamma can be activated on its own. While this feature can enhance image quality and provide a wider dynamic range, this review is based on the performance of the camera while operating under the normal settings.
The Front (8.5)
The Front of the camera consists of the lens, the lens hood, and the microphone. The IR LEDs sit on the bottom of the front partially hidden by the lens hood. The front of the camera is simple and uncluttered. The lens hood is a nice size and can be easily removed by gently twisting it off. The only concern with the front of the camera is the placement of the on camera microphone. Cameras such as the GL-2 and the VX2100 have their on camera microphones mounted to the top handle. This creates distance between the microphone and all of the extraneous noises associated with the operation of a camera. The AG-DVC30 however places the microphone right on the lens barrel, presumably so that the camera can be compact. This is a problem because when focusing with the ring, the user's fingers are all in front of the microphone. Users should be aware of this and plan on using the XLRs if possible.
The Right Side (9.0)
The right side of the camera holds the tape mechanism as well as the zoom rocker switch. The User 1 button sits right behind it. Towards the front of the camera on the right side there is a red start, stop button that functions as an alternative to the record button in back. Ports for S/Video, microphone, AV in/out, and XLR adapter are located under a latch near the front.
The tape mechanism is located behind the hand strap panel. The tape mechanism is well built and could stand up to rough usage. The exterior casing of the tape mechanism is meant to brace the hand in conjunction with the hand strap. Generally speaking the hand is placed in a comfortable position although it would be nice if manufacturers started including some sort of palm pad to rest the hand against. The hand strap is actually attached to the tape door which makes opening and closing it very easy.
The zoom rocker switch is in a traditional location right next to the tape mechanism. The programmable User 1 button is right behind the zoom rocker which provides a very convenient means of controlling frequently used functions at the touch of a button. Users with small hands may find the User 1 button a little too far up on the body, but it is well placed for the average sized hand.
The Back (8.0)
The back of the camera houses the Lithium Ion battery as well as the record button and on / off, CAM / VTR mode selector. The battery is well placed and recessed like many other cameras in this range. The record button is in the center of the on / off, CAM / VTR selector and is easy to access. A headphone port, a firewire port and a cam remote port sit just below and are covered by a body colored flap. The eye piece is nice and includes a diopter for user customization. The regular sized EVF eye piece is comfortable and large enough to get your eye in but the larger eye piece with the deeper cup would be better in bright situations. The EVF eye piece can be tilted up and slide aft towards the back of the camera. This is nice for the user who may be framing a low shot on a tripod. The back of this camera is kept very simple and clean.
The Left Side (8.0)
The left side of the body houses most of the controls on the camera. Dedicated buttons for focus, Super Night Shooting, and white balance can be found on the large lens barrel. Each of these buttons has a different surface texture, presumably so that the user can feel them out when looking through the camera. Although this adds some nice tactile identification, the buttons are well positioned and easy to locate by themselves. Programmable user buttons 2 and 3 are also located on this side and provide a customizable experience.
The shutter / iris scroll wheel and the menu button sit just below the focus and white balance buttons. Pushing in on the scroll wheel makes it active and allows the user to control the iris and the shutter speed. The menu button sits next to the iris/ shutter button. When the menu screen is up, the scroll wheel allows the user to navigate and select various options.
The large 3.5 inch LCD screen is housed just aft of the user, white balance, and focus buttons. A variety of buttons are housed behind the LCD screen such as all of the VCR controls. Panasonic makes good use of space here by letting buttons work double time between VCR and camera mode. The stop button is also labeled "bars" and serves to produce color bars when in record mode. The play button functions as digital zoom when in camera mode and the pause button functions as the photo shoot button when in camera mode. All of these buttons are marked and easy to read. Also included behind the LCD screen is a zebra button for catching over exposed areas. The auto / manual switch button is located on the rear portion of the left side.
The Top (7.0)
The top of the camera is simple and clean. Since this model was designed as a multi function camera, the view from the top will change depending on how it is outfitted by the user. The only noticeable details to be found are the microphone and the ultra handy user 1 button, which sits right behind the zoom rocker. There is also an attachment shoe for the optional handle that is located right behind the microphone casing. Most three chip cameras feature a top handle that is built into the body. As mentioned in the intro, the AG-DVC30 was designed to have a changeable form factor so there is no top handle built into the body although it can be attached.
Picture and Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
This camera strikes a happy medium between making things quick and giving the user the ability to control what's going on. Auto focus is very precise and quick. The auto exposure is accurate. Auto white balance is generally very good, but the camera is occasionally confused in areas containing both tungsten and daylight. One of the best automatic features allows the user to repeat a zoom to with auto focus so that the camera can follow action and shift between subjects. There are enough automatic features here to keep the unskilled shooter or the fast paced action shooter abreast in most situations. We use the automatic control section to score consumer camcorders for their ease of use features. Since this is a prosumer camcorder, it doesn't have ease of use features. Although a 6.0 may seem like a medokre score, it is good for a prosumer camcorder.
Overall Manual Control (8.5)
This camera allows the user to control everything they want to. The auto/manual switch allows the user to deactivate auto focus, auto aperture, and auto white balance. Pushing the focus button allows the user to switch between manual and auto focus. Like the other functions, the focus button can be re mapped to any of three user buttons. Focus, Aperture and Shutter speed can all be manually adjusted to create a look or achieve optimal exposure.
The AG-DVC30 displays the F-Stop and Shutter speed when the iris scroll wheel is pressed in. This is a feature that all cameras should include and some models such as the DCR-TRV950 do not.
The only inconvenience with manual control is that there is only one ring around the barrel which controls iris, zoom and focus. This means that you can't have zoom and focus on the barrel or aperture and zoom or whatever you want. It's too bad because Panasonic missed a chance to really give the user a completely customizable experience. The Sony DCR-VX2100 offers two dedicated rings, one for focus and one for zoom. That having been said, the dial has a good feel to it although a little more drag would be nice. It's too bad that all the cameras in this range use servo motors to drive lens focus and zoom.
The AG-DVC30 does not feature a dedicated button for Neutural Density (ND) filters which is very important when shooting in bright situations or trying to reduce overall light entering the lens so that the iris can be opened to decrease depth of field. You have to go through the menu to access the ND filter on the AG-DVC30. The Sony DCR-VX2100 features a switch that allows the user to quickly add two levels of ND from the built in feature. The Canon GL-2 also features a dedicated ND button but the PDX10 does not.
The DCR-VX2100, and AG-DVX100 have better manual control in part due to the addition of a second ring around the barrel. The Sony DCR-TRV950 and the Canon GL2 do not offer the same degree of control available on the AG-DVC30.
Zoom (9.0)
The 16x optical zoom on the AG-DVC30 is very impressive and allows the user to creep through the full zoom range in either 1 second, 100 seconds, or anywhere in between. Essentially this means that the zoom is variable by 100 speeds. This is one of the better zooms out there and really adds a lot to the camera. The Zoom ring controls a servo motor so there is a slight lag when using the ring, but this is similar to other cameras in this price range. Zooming with the rocker switch is very precise and by watching the zoom numbers in the EVF, the user can easily maintain a constant speed. As mentioned above, the user can set a repeatable zoom speed or zoom length for recurring situations which is nice for live events such as soccer games or performances. It would be better if the AG-DVC30 had a dedicated zoom ring.
Focus (7.5)
When programmed to the ring in manual mode, the focus is very responsive. It would be better if the ring had more drag but aside from that it works very well. The camera would be much easier to use if Panasonic had included a second ring around the barrel such as on the Sony DCR-VX2100 and the Panasonic AG-DVX100. Sometimes the user may want to zoom with the ring and also focus with the same hand. Aside from that the focus ring has a nice texture to it and is easy to use.
Exposure / Aperture (8.5)
Control over the aperture is done by means of a small scroll wheel that can be pushed in as a button. This scroll wheel is shared with the shutter speed control. There are 14 distinct steps between fully closed and fully open, but in between those steps there are even finer adjustments that can be made. You are given f-stop ratings on the screen when you adjust the aperture. The auto exposure is very accurate and the manual control is available when desired. As mentioned up top, it would be nice to have ND filters with a dedicated button. Having a dedicated button for the iris would also be an improvement.
Shutter Speed (8.0)
The shutter speed is controlled by pushing in the button on the same scroll wheel that controls the aperture. It would be better to have dedicated buttons for shutter and aperture. The DCR-VX2100 has a dedicated button for both shutter speed and exposure. The user can select a shutter speed ranging from ¼ to 1/8000 of a second. As well as two Synchro Scan speeds. The button for the shutter control is located in a nice place that is easy to access.
The AG-DVC30 also features two shutter speed settings listed as Synchro Scan (1/60.3-1/250). This option allows the user to match the scan rate of a television or computer monitor so that they appear seamless and do not display the descending black bars that often show up on video.
White Balance (9.0)
White balance gets a dedicated button on the left side of the camera on the lens barrel, but it can also be programmed to one of the three user buttons. Setting the white balance to user button 1 (which is right behind the zoom rocker) allows the user to hold a white card in one hand and balance with the push of that one button - it's a convient use of the progamable buttons. White balance settings include, tungsten, daylight, white lock, manual white balance, and auto white balance. Auto white balance is accurate for the most part, but gets confused when there is more than one type of light coming into the room. The user should white balance manually when possible and invest in a white balance card.
Gain (8.0)
The gain control becomes active after the aperture has been set fully open at F1.7. At that point the gain can be adjusted form 0db to 18db. The gain control works well and is easy to use but it would be nice to have a dedicated gain button similar to the VX2100 and PD170 (Review, Specs, $2579). The PDX10 and the TVR950 do not have dedicated gain buttons
Still Performance (4.5)
Stills were not sampled because there was no memory card slot on the camera, however the camcorder can save still frame grabs to tape.
VCR Mode (7.5)
The VCR mode on the AG-DVC30 is straight forward and easy to use. The buttons do not light up and the LCD must be open in order to access them. There are many things to differentiate VCR modes on camcorders, so the AG-DVC30 gets a 1 point reduction for not lighting up. The VCR control is good and Panasonic made good use of the buttons by allowing them to perform other functions when not in VCR mode. The buttons are nicely sized and easy to push unlike the buttons on the PDX10, VX2100, and PD170 which may be to small for users with large hands.
Low Light performance (6.5)
The AG-DVC30 does well in the low light arena considering it has 1/4 in. CCDs. Images were slightly grainy at 15 lux, but maintained color saturation. When shooting in low light at 15 lux auto the AG-DVC30 produced an image that was darker, but clearer than the Sony DCR-TRV950. The gain on the AG-DVC30 is not as pronounced on the image as it is on the Sony DCR-TRV950 which has the same imaging sensors as the professional version DSR-PDX10.
When compared to the Canon GL-2 and the DCR-TRV950 the AG-DVC30 produces the clearest image with the least amount of noise. The DCR-TRV950 is a little brighter but gain is evident. When manually adjusted, the AG-DVC30 can produce an image that is brighter and with less gain than the DCR-TRV950. The AG-DVC30 falters when compared to the DCR-VX2100. The DCR-VX2100 and it's larger 1/3 in. CCDs produce a sharper, brighter image.
LCD / Viewfinder (8)
The 3.5 LCD is large and provides a great look at the composition of the shot. It seems to be a bit brighter than the view finder, so the user should take that into account when shooting or dim the screen. The 200,000 pixel screen would be much better with a higher resolution pixel count. For example, the DCR-VX2100 provides 211,000 pixels for a 2.5 inch screen. You can get fairly close to proper focus with the LCD but as is the case with most video cameras, trust the viewfinder and not the LCD. The Viewfinder is very nice and features a selectable black and white/ color .44 inch, 180,000 pixel screen. It's really helpful to have a black and white EVF view finder with a color option because B/W view finders tend to be easier to focus with but can't give the user a sense of color value.
Audio (7.5)
The AG-DVC30 has manual audio control as well as on screen level indicators. Although it would be nice to have the audio level controls on dedicated buttons, the AG-DVC30 makes it easy to reach the audio controls by simple holding the menu button for a few seconds. The on camera microphone is decent, but generally speaking on camera microphones should not be used whenever possible. XLRs are not included with the camera, but Panasonic put a nice professional grade XLR adapter port on the camera. When used with Panasonic's optional break out box and handle, the camera transforms from a compact shooter, to a professional camera with all the bells and whistles pros expect from a camera such as 48 volt phantom power, and the ability to assign each channel to either mic or line level.
Handling (9)
Handling the AG-DVC30 is great overall. First and foremost, the AG-DVC30 is pleasure to hold. Its body is tight and weighted just right. Where as most of the three chip cameras tend to be shaped like a tube, this one feels more like a cube. Panasonic got the balance just right. It bears down on your hand and doesn't feel front or side heavy. Another highlight is Panasonic's use of programmable user buttons. These buttons located on the sides and rear of the camera allows the user to assign functions they need to the most convenient buttons. For example, a user can easily white balance their camera with a white balance card in one hand and the camera in the other hand because of the programmable user button right next to the zoom rocker. In the same vein, Panasonic has also allowed the user to program the focus ring so that it can focus, zoom, or control the iris. On the down side, the AG-DVC30 only has one ring around the barrel.
Although ¼ inch cameras primarily come with one ring around the barrel, it would be nice to see a model that gives the user two rings. The black magnesium chassis feels rugged and looks like it could withstand rough usage. Worthy of note is the fact that the AG-DVC30 is much bigger when outfitted with the optional handle and break out box. When the optional top mounted LED bank is added, it can become a little awkward. The nice thing about this camera is that it is really many cameras in one depending on what the user needs it to do. Over all the AG-DVC30 has a great feel to it and excels as a compact shooter that can be modified when extra options are needed.
Jacks and Ports (7.5)
The AG-DVC30 features an S-Video in/out, a dedicated 1/8 inch microphone jack, as well as a mini AV in/out jack. The mini AV jack saves space on the body, but it would be nice to have the option of using full sized RCA connectors for times when the proprietary cable is not with the camera. Although the AG-DVC30 doesn't feature XLR's on the body, it does a feature a professional style XLR adapter for connecting to an optional top mounted breakout box. A headphone jack, a firewire jack and a camera remote jack are also included on the body.
Other Features (9)
Super Night Shooting The AG-DVC30 includes a feature called Super Night Shooting for shooting in low or even no light situations. Over the years many cameras from Sony have included a similar feature that allows the user to shoot in the dark. The difference here is that the AG-DVC30 is able to capture a very crisp black and white image in complete darkness. The SNS (Super Night Shooting) feature has three different settings. The first is called IR which uses Infra Red LEDs to illuminate the image. While shooting in the IR mode the user can obtain a clear black and white image up to roughly 15 feet in front of them. The camera itself houses Infra Red LEDs that rest underneath the lens hood, so in order to use IR night shot properly, the hood must be removed. The user can also purchase an optional top mounted IR LED light that is good for about 100 feet. Super Night Shooting mode essentially drops the shutter speed so that more light reached the CCDs. It yields bright images but anything in motion is severely blurred so the value of this function might be minimal. Color night shot has a similar effect to reducing the shutter speed to ¼. All in all these extra low light features give the user more options to suit their shooting environment. While not for everyday shooting, run and gun news gatherers, law enforcement, and military may find strong value in these options.
OIS OIS (optical image stabilization). OIS stabilizes the images when the camera is shaken. Optical Image Stabilization is preferred over electronic stabilization because it often produces a better image. The button is located behind the LCD panel right under the pause/photo shot button.
LumiFlik LumiFlik is a feature that adds the flickering effects often found in old movies. It's a nice effect to play with but image effects such as this should be done in a post program and not in camera.
Zebra Pattern Zebra patter is a wonderful feature that all cameras should have. It allows the user to quickly identify over exposed areas within the composition.
Comparisons (no score provided)
The AG-DVC30 fairs well when compared to other cameras. When compared to the GL-2, the AG-DVC30 comes out on top because of it's superior low light performance, manual control and customization options and it's more rugged feel. These types of cameras excel at blending pro features with the compact size of consumer cameras. The AG-DVC30 is housed in a sturdy magnesium chassis and feels rugged whereas the GL-2 is plastic.
When compared to the excellent Sony DCR-VX2100 in low light performance, the AG-DVC30 produced images that were darker, but it was just as sharp. The DCR-VX2100 however shoots much better in low light. The DCR-VX2100 is all around a better camcorder offering better manual control and better optics.
Conclusion
The AG-DVC30 exists in a field of very competive and quality camcorders. It's a great model, however it has to stand up to some pretty rugged competition. The Canon GL-2 and the Sony DCR-TRV950 / DSR-PDX10 are its two main competitors although the DCR-VX2100 also has a similar price point and is thus comparable. While the AG-DVC30 is a better buy than the Sony DCR-TRV950 and the Canon GL2, which share similar chip sizes (the DCR-TRV950 has 1/4.7 in CCDs), it is also about $500 more expensive. The AG-DVC30 however fails when compared to the similarly priced DCR-VX2100 with 1/3 in. CCDs.
| Area | Weight | Raw | Adj. | Poss. |
|
Video Performance |
2.00 |
8.5 |
17.00 |
20.0 |
|
The Front |
0.20 |
8.5 |
1.70 |
2.0 |
|
The Right Side |
0.30 |
9.0 |
2.70 |
3.0 |
|
The Back |
0.25 |
8.0 |
2.00 |
2.5 |
|
The Left Side |
0.20 |
8.0 |
1.60 |
2.0 |
|
The Top |
0.15 |
7.0 |
1.05 |
1.5 |
|
Automatic Control |
0.50 |
6.0 |
3.00 |
5.0 |
|
Overall Manual Control |
0.60 |
7.5 |
4.50 |
6.0 |
|
Zoom |
0.75 |
9.0 |
6.75 |
7.5 |
|
Focus |
0.70 |
7.5 |
5.25 |
7.0 |
|
Exposure |
0.65 |
8.5 |
5.23 |
6.5 |
|
Shutter Speed |
0.60 |
8.0 |
4.80 |
6.0 |
|
White Balance |
0.55 |
9.0 |
4.95 |
5.5 |
|
Gain |
0.50 |
8.0 |
4.00 |
5.0 |
|
Still Performance |
1.20 |
4.5 |
5.40 |
12.0 |
|
VCR Mode |
0.30 |
7.5 |
2.25 |
3.0 |
|
Low Light Performance |
2.00 |
6.5 |
13.00 |
20.0 |
|
LCD / Viewfinder |
.60 |
8.0 |
4.80 |
6.0 |
|
Audio |
1.00 |
7.5 |
7.50 |
10.0 |
|
Handling |
1.25 |
9.0 |
11.25 |
12.5 |
|
Jacks / Ports / Plugs |
.80 |
7.5 |
6.00 |
8.0 |
|
Other Features |
0.70 |
9.0 |
6.30 |
7.0 |
|
Value |
1.25 |
5.5 |
6.89 |
12.5 |
|
Total (weighted) |
127.90 |
170.5 |
As proved by the AG-DVC30, there is tremendous value in a well balanced compact body. This is camera is light enough to be carried around all day and sturdy enough to take abuse in the field. All of these cameras provide the option of attaching XLRs with the addition of an additional breakout boxes. This can be a problem because the compact bodies don't have enough area or mass to spread the additional weight evenly. When the user starts adding accessories such as top mounted lights or XLR adapters, the cameras become top heavy and off balance. The AG-DVC30 really shines with its zoom, its programmable user buttons, and its CineGamma setting. Those heavily concerned about low light performance and manual control should go with the VX2100, but AG-DVC30 wins when size is a concern. The bottom line is that this camera is a great choice for those requiring flexibility, and mobility. The Panasonic AG-DVC30 is the king when it comes to ¼ inch cameras. I would certainly recomend this camcorder.
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