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"Great Zoom. Easy Manual controls. Focus Shiver!" on by peamom
Pros: Zoom, Manual Controls, small size, Intuitive
Cons: Focus Shiver, Light causes ghost shadows, Low res Stills
Summary: I kept this camera although really not totally happy with it. Returned it 3 times cause thought it was defective, and all cameras the same. First, the zoom is GREAT and outdoor pictures good -- sharp colors. Zoom is quiet as a mouse (not like the Canons) and wind noise reduction works well, as well as zoom mic. Stills recorded directly to SD card (not tape like JVC) so no interruption in video (but low resolution makes them suitable for slide show only). Last positive: camera has an S-video out which makes picture look better than regular AV jacks. Every digital camcorder should have an S-video out.
Now the bad things. Indoor quality no where near the quality of my 1/4 inch CCD Sony Hi 8 (althogh much better than the Canon mini-DVs I tried -- they are GRAINY). But Hi 8 resolution stunk on the new Sony 60 Inch TV, so went digital. Panasonic PV GS 35 is a 1/6 inch CCD, so that lets less light in which results in poorer indoor video. The light on the camera is USELESS to me. Any time you put it on, it lights up the subject well, but increases the camera's "gain" and that results in big time ghost images in any motion in camera or subject. Result is jaggedy, ghosted, ANNOYING video. If you press light again, it goes out of Gain mode, but light makes no differnce in video. On positive side, you can manually adjust shutter speed, and gain easily and lighten the video to an acceptable level. My biggest gripe with the camera is an occasional but continual (present in every indoor video) focus shiver. It's like the camera got a little chill. I'm not sure if it is the image stabilization not working correctly since I am usually zooming at least some level (but I have a pretty steady hand and did not have this problem on Sony Hi8). It really annoys me, and I exchanged the camera 3 times (at Panasonic's recommendation) and all do the same. Last annoyance is no feature to show date and time once at start of new video. If date and time set to on, they are always on video unless you turn them off with the remote. Thus, if I want to back up to DVD with DVD recorder connected to TV, I have to toggle the date on and off as I record. If uploading video to computer (which I haven't tried) I read that extra software will be needed to transfer the date info to a DVD (not sure on this, but don't have time for the computer editing stuff -- would just like to back up to DVD).
I am keeping the camera for the following reasons: 1) I need the 30X zoom for children's outdoor sporting events with tripod. Zoom is incredible, QUIET and SMOOTH and outdoor pics don't seem to have noticible focus shiver, but could be due to tripod. 2) Small size is great and although light is ineffective (unless you like jaggedy video), manual adjustments can be made easily to get acceptable indoor video without light. No 1/6 inch CCD is going to give good indoor video, but manual override compensates some, and can't find a 1/4 inch CCD with 24 plus zoom. 3) Nothing out there with same zoom that isn't rated poorly for indoor, so due to my fatigue at reviewing this camera and attractive $450 price, I'll take the good and the bad and wait for a better digital camera with great zoom to come along.Updated
I took a video of my daughter's play and used a tripod and zoomed alot. No focus shift or shiver. So, it seems that it is a function of the EIS not doing the greatest job when zooming. I'm always zooming at least some, so I'm guessing that's what it is. And it only happens indoors. -
"A lot bang for the buck!" on by DeniseNY
Pros: Many features, 30x zoom, image stability, zoom mic, s-video jacks, separate flash card slot for snapshots, built in light for indoor use, simply joystick control knob, small and lightweight, low price
Cons: No DV Interface cable included, may take awhile to learn all of the features
Summary: While at Best Buy, I decided it was time to upgrade my 11 year old RCA VHS-C camcorder. My eye initially fell on the Sony DVD digital cams and I went for the low end model, priced at $599. Fortunately, they were sold out and backordered, so I went home and did a little research where I discovered that I could get much better picture quality and features for a lot less money. Enter the PV-GS35.
You get an endless list of features, but the biggest hit has to be the 30x zoom. Just a note here to a previous poster. The further you zoom, the more camera shake you will experience even with stability control. This is the reason why expensive cameras which are pushing their stability control generally do not have optical zooms beyond 10x or 12x. So you WILL experience some shake as you really zoom out. This will be the same with any 20x zoom or further. If you use a tripod, you will reduce it.
The camera is small and easy to use. There is a "joystick" type of knob which can be controlled easily with your thumb while still having your hand under the camera strap. There are ALOT of features including many manual adjustments, so while it is easy to get around, it will get time to figure them all. I'm still learning.
The camera has a seprate port for a flash SD card. This is where your snapshots will go. If you are looking for a camcorder that can take quality photos, this probably is not for you. This was not important to me as I have a digital SLR camera. Photos are taken in 640 x 480 resolution, so they are suitable for snapshot prints and the web.
Speaking of the web, the camera can be used as a webcam, sort of a nifty added feature. All basic video cables for television connection, photo transfer and web cam ability are included, but a DVI cable is NOT. This was kind of important to me because I want to transfer my films over and burn to dvd. So I am in the process of ordering the cable. My search is showing that this seems to be the norm however - particularly with lower priced cams such as this. So I can handle that.
Picture quality is average to slightly above average for a camcorder in this price range. The same individual who complained about the camera shake, also compares this to a Sony CCD Hi8 which there is no comparison. That Sony is a 3CCD cam versus a single CCD. So it is no surprise that the picture here will not be quite as sharp. Furthermore, the average 3CCD cams start at nearly DOUBLE the price of this one. So you get what you pay for.
So that brings us to price and the price is unbeatable. Even the suggested retail of $499 from Panasonic is fair for all you get. However, I got the camera on sale at Best Buy for $429 and there was a $30 rebate on it. Total price: $399. If you are looking to take nice video of the family, sporting events and vacations, this is a very good deal. If you are looking to be a mini-filmographer, you should probably look for something more advanced. -
"Great camcorder for exceptional quality video" on by huggie32
Pros: Video picture quality is exceptional, Takes very good video in low light. Built in light that works great in low light. Color viewfinder, Easy to use, 3 hr. battery include, Quiet motor & buttons.
Cons: Very low megapixels if you are looking for a good digital camera as well. Takes good pictures as long as you don't plan on enlarging them past a 5x7.
Summary: We first purchased a Sony DCR HC-42. The video quality was horrible so we returned it for this Panasonic. We already have a great dig. camera so we weren't focusing on still shots/mega pixels. This Panasonic is great. It is easy to use and the video quality is exceptional. I was amazed at the difference between this and the Sony. The Panasonic has all the bells and whistles you need. The viewfinder is in color and the camcorder comes with a 3 hour battery. Audio quality is great. Has the zoom in microphone built in. Low wind reduction, and unlike the Sony, when you play back you video, you aren't annoyed with the sound of the zoom button being pressed by the person videoing. Optical zoom is 30X. This is a great choice, especially for the money. I believe Panasonic may have won me over...
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"My VHS-C is better" on by daiqarita
Pros: compact, cute
Cons: bad video quality
Summary: Had the store allowed me to see this camcorder in action, I would not have bought it.
I have a VHS-C camcorder and was hoping to be upgrading to Digital.I expected a good quality digital recording something at least equivalent to my VHS-C, if not better.
Outdoors the quality is OK, but not better than my VHS-C. Inside this camcorder is useless. Quality is that of a webcam or a VHS copy of a copy.
The store, Circuit City, will now charge me a 15% restocking fee. I bought it less than 4 days ago, opened it yesterday.
I would not recommend this camcorder. I do not know how other MiniDVs work maybe they all are no good. -
"Price for the features" on by rubyremus
Pros: Weight : Light, Great Zoom
Cons: won't read other DV tapes. Brightness - very low
Summary: For the price, this camcorder is wonderful.
Reason:
1. Weight : Light
2. Joystick is easy manuvering
3. Horizontal Lines :fine
This meant that your video has a higher
quality.
4. My bundle came with a tripod, bag and
5 DV tapes! its a steal!
5. Bought because it has 30x OPTICAL ZOOM
1000x Digital zoom. Meant you can zoom
from a very far place.
That is the main reasons I bought it.
I need to use the camcorder to record a number of project which is dangerous to be in a close distance. The zoom works wonderful!
Cons:
1. Brightness - very low.
Why? If you plan to capture it in a
dim lite area, you probably get a black
spot - or a very very dim picture
eventhough there is light.
Suggestion : Light up the whole room!
This can be resolve easily. Besides it has a video light.
2. I have 7 tapes which I had capture using my old JVC camcorder - Needless to say, I want to transfer the video onto the pc via using this camcorder. Well, it keeps saying wrong format. Read the manual, yup there is nothing you can about it. Just have to use your old camcorder to transfer it.
That is the main down side
Panasonic PV-GS35 user reviews
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