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I highly recommend it. Even though this camera came out a few years ago, I still prefer it over many later models. It's easy to use, well made, and being able to have a mini dv tape for an archive collection is important.
My computer has about 756 MB RAM. i had to find it out from some reviews.The product did not come with a fire wire cable; Find a good one elsewhere. I called Panasonic customer support regarding this and they too had only one suggestion-buy it elsewhere.It takes a long while for me (about 1hr plus) to transfer one MiniDV cassette of video to computer and to form file on the Windows Movie maker I used. I have been using this camera for about 2 yrs. I did not try another software.Software that came with camcorder is redundant.Performance in low light is not goodNo built-in light source; find a suitable one and attach separateoptical zoom is only 10X, and no need to mention anything about digital zoomBattery does not last for long-may be for 30-40 mts with the digital viewer turned on; have apare battery if you are serious about shooting for a longer period.Because of the negative points, I am looking for a better model with 3CCD technology It is as if the manufacturers mean this camera for Still images only. I did a lot of research before buying and I am sure that I am not much mistaken in my choice.ProsExcellent color reproduction especially in out door settingsEasy to use menusmall sizeI did not have any problem with noise from tape as some one reviewedStill pictures are also really good for a 1.2 Mp camera-color reproducion really good, can take still pictures while shooting a video without going back to menu-just click the Still picture button.ConesManual that comes along with is "CRAPPY". it does not even mention where exactly to connect the fire wire cable.
The colors tend to go blue in mid to low light situations, and that can be annnoying for those trying to make short films with different locations/lighting. If you just want something to make home movies of your kids or something, then I'd go for a cheaper model Panasonic or a Sony. I've waited two years to write my review so that I'd be removed from the excitement that comes with buying a new camera. I think that this camera would be a great buy for someone looking to do a lot of serious filming in outdoor areas. I think that I'm going to buy a Sony next time because I like their low-light features. The strongpoints of this camcorder are its size, color reproduction, remote control, and adjustable light/color settings. It's drawbacks are: poor performance in low/med-low light conditions.
I spent almost double what it is going for now and it was worth it back then so if you can get it now for around 450 it's a must buy camcorder. I have had the camera for almost 1 year now and it has taken some nasty hits from skaters and drops from 4 foot to pure concrete and took the beating like a champ. I am team manager for a small midwest skate team and we were in need for a video camera. I was also looking for something that had a clear enough video i could do some short movies with it as well.
The low light feature isn't as good as the single chip cameras but 3CCD's always require more light.I've been recommending this camera to anyone who is thinking about upgrading from 8mm or VHS. On the downside I missed the option of adding a wired remote zoom control and the steadycam feature wasn't quite what Sony had. Forget about the DVD media cameras and go with tape, you can make (and scratch) all the DVD's you want after downloading and editing your work from your computer. I've been video taping weddings for 25 years and the PV-GS120 was the 11th and 12th camera I've bought (Yea, I bought two) I was impressed with both the price and quality of the 3CCD'sI also appreciated the 1.5 hour (LP mode) taping time available which I needed for taping wedding ceremonies without having to change media during the ceremony. I needed the mic and headphone input that were missing from some other manufacturers products and I remembered the quality I had always experienced from the Panasonic cameras I'd used before I moved to 8mm.I've done 7 weddings with the PV-GS120 and my customers and I are very satified with the quality images and audio this camera captures and recreates.
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