The Panasonic PV-GS85 was our winner for 2007’s Best Camcorder Under $300, making it a true bargain for the budget shopper. At this price, you wouldn't expect many frills, but prepare to be surprised. Panasonic packs in the manual controls, optical image stabilization, and a surprising low light performance.

We’re pretty sure our 2004 review of the PV-GS400 read something like this: “My name as Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works ye mighty and despair!” (At least it seems that way in retrospect.) Panasonic’s top-end consumer DV camcorder knew no boundaries, and was beloved by all. Would that anyone could have foreseen the PV-GS320, a shell of its former glory, toiling in a dead format. What, too baroque?...

The Panasonic PV-GS59 seems a promising camcorder at first glance. It hails from a good family – the much-loved Panasonic MiniDVs, with their fine manual control suite and excellent table manners. And it manages to distinguish itself from the PV-GS39, the next model down, with audio dubbing, remote control compatibility, USB 2.0, and editing software. Oh, but look over there… aren’t those the 3CCD camcorders I’ve heard so much about: the PV-GS180, PV-GS300, and PV-GS500? With their excellent video performance and mic inputs, I simply must be introduced. It was nice meeting you, PV-GS59.

Panasonic’s three-CCD camcorders have a storied past for video performance, which leaves a good deal of expectations for the PV-GS180, which replaces the PV-GS150. So how does this bottom-end three-chipper actually rate? Well, the performance was terrific, but the trade-offs are steep. For starters, how does one justify putting a non-widescreen LCD on a $600 (MSRP) camcorder? Find out just how tenuous the balance between features and core performance can be.

Easily one of the most anticipated camcorders in the last few years, Panasonic’s PV-GS500 arrived this year to replace the hugely successful PV-GS400. The GS400 offered great video quality with a bundle of pro-level features that made it a hit with the serious hobbyists and prosumers. This year, Panasonic has adopted a new approach, leaving fans none too pleased. In order to court a larger market, Panasonic has slashed prices on their top MiniDV models and dropped most of the pro-level features in the process. So here it is – the GS500. It may be replacing the GS400, but it’s sure not much of a successor.

The PV-GS300 is Panasonic’s follow up to the GS250, a highly praised camcorder of 2005. Second-to-the-top in their MiniDV line, the GS300 has undergone a number of changes, not all for the better. The focus ring, headphone jack, and analog-to-digital pass through have all been stripped away. Painful, yes? But the MSRP has dropped to $699 – that’s $300 less than the GS250. New features include a widescreen LCD, a smaller body, and arguably better video performance. Is it worth the cost?

The new Panasonic PV-GS39 (MSRP $349), which was unveiled at CES less than a month ago, aims to uphold the high standards that Panasonic set forth in their 2005 PV-GS series. As a 1 chip camcorder standing smack in the middle between the new GS19 and GS59, the PV-GS39 looks to replace and improve upon the last year’s PV-GS31, starting with a smaller, redesigned body, true 16:9 capture, a 2.7” widescreen LCD, and a small 26x to 30x zoom increase.

The PV-GS400 is a great camcorder and, in my opinion, offers the best value of any camcorder I’ve ever reviewed. Panasonic has taken last year's PV-DV953, which delivered three CCDs and unprecedented manual control options for an unbelievable price, and found ways to significantly improve upon it. Now, after releasing three more consumer 3 CCD camcorders, Panasonic may be close to perfecting the art with the PV-GS400. Most significantly, the PV-GS400 upgrades the PV-DV953 with large 1/4.7-inch CCDs, which produce truly stunning video both in normal and low light. In addition to its excellent image, the PV-GS400 offers a great four-way hybrid ring for controlling focus, zoom, shutter and iris. When you throw in additional manual control, audio control, a great zoom controller and 4 megapixel stills, the PV-GS400 unquestionably offers better value than any other consumer camcorder on the market today at just under $1,500.