Panasonic Intros Five Small MiniDV Camcorders

Four out of the five camcorders have optical zooms with a minimum of 20x power. The fifth camcorder in, the PV-GS55 has an optical zoom of only 10x power, however it is in a much more compact package than the other models. The true innovation of this increase in optical zoom, is that it is achieved with a reduction of camcorder size. This combined with a reduction in price, makes the new fleet of camcorders one to watch.

Panasonics previous offerings, a slate of included the PV-DV103, PV-DV203, PV-DV53, PV-DV73, and the PV-GS50. It appears that this reduction in size, drop in cost and boost of zoom juice, necessitated a new naming scheme. Compared to last year’s camcorders this year’s have similar optics specifications, with one exception, zoom being the most notable upgrade.

’’Our style is different, our design language is consistent across the entire line-up,’’ said Rudy Vitti, National Marketing Manager for Optical Products at Panasonic.

Another touted addition to the PV-CS9, PV-GS12, PV-GS14, PV-GS15, and the PV-GS55 is a mode dial that has been lifted directly from their line of digital cameras. A Panasonic employee described a focus group where consumers were asked to alternate between camcorder modes and functions and those of a digital camera, the result was a group of confused camcorder operators, and successful digital camera users. The result of the tests, the same dial that digital camera users have grown accustomed to is now the mode selector on the new line of Panasonic camcorders. While this may make is easy for newbies to find the function they’re looking for, it relegated the manual control dial that was in that location previously to inside the LCD menu. For the user concerned with manual control, this could result in more that a few frustrated moments scrolling through the LCD and adjusting settings.

Along the lines of gearing products for beginners, the new line of camcorders has a new Quick Start feature, which in a nut shell starts up the camcorder in less than a second. Instead of waiting for the camcorder to que-up the tape and derive focal length and light settings, depressing the Quick Start button will bring users back to their last settings-even if they’re manually entered. The new line of camcorder also features unsnapping hand straps that double as wrist loops, in effect allowing users to carry the device like a purse or small bag.

The PV-GS9 is the first of its kind, a Panasonic MiniDV camcorder with an MSRP of $350. No Panasonic MiniDV before has been intro’d at this price. The PV-GS9 features a 1/6th inch 680k CCD, and a 20x optical zoom.

The PV-GS12 replaces the PV-DV53 and while that replacement includes an increase in optical zoom power from 10x to 20x, it also results in a shrinking of CCD size which typically reduces video and low light quality. Last years PV—DV53 had a ¼ inch 680k CCD and this years PV-GS12 has the same 1/6th inch 680k CCD as every camcorder in the PV-GS line. The PV-GS12 gives users another noticeable upgrade, the inclusion of an SD card and USB streaming capabilities. The camcorder is capable of saving stills at 640 x 480 pixel resolution.

The PV-GS55 replaces one of the most popular camcorders on the market the PV-GS50. Vitti said, “At one time the PV-GS 50 was Japan’s biggest seller,” he continued to describe how the camcorder also did very well in the US.

The PVGS55 is the only camcorder in the one-CCD line with a 10x zoom, however the PV-GS55 at $699 is $100 cheaper than the PV-GS50. The next generation of one of the world’s most popular camcorders has a slew of features including a Tele/Macro lens, built in SD Card, MPEG4 movie, and rapid fire that shoot consecutive stills.

The PV-GS14 replaces the PV-103, and features the same CCD as its predecessor, a 1/6th inch 680k. The PV-GS14 more than doubles the available optical zoom capabilities from 10x to 22x over last years model. Other than this enhancement, the new Easy Dial and new features like Soft Skin Mode, which brings gives even the ruddiest of subjects the warm Hollywood glow, and is featured on every model, the camcorders are very similar. Both units have built in LEDs, SD cards, Electronic Image Stabilization, and 2.5 inch LCD monitor.

A large step up in zoom power is evident when comparing the PV-GS15 to the PV-DV203, again it leaps from 10x to 24x. The size reduction also results in a loss of weight. The PV-DV203 weighs in at over a pound and the PV-GS15 tips the scales at 9 tenths of a pound.

Of course this loss is physical bulk is passed on to the customers in the form of a price break. The camcorders start at $350 for the PV-GS9 and escalate by increment of $50. “The $50 step instead of $100 step found in the marketplace, allows people to be able to easily purchase the advanced features,” said Vitti.

Generally, it appears that Panasonic has enhanced the features of their camcorders while dropping the prices anywhere from $50 to $100. One example, is the entry SD card model. Previously, the PV-DV103 was the least expensive Panasonic model to include an SD card at $499, however now, the PV-GS12 includes an SD card for saving digital stills to at $399. Panasonic did a similar price reduction on the PV-GS50.