Panasonic PV-GS120 Palmcorder® Mini DV Digital 3CCD Camcorder

Author's Rating:

Pros: Vibrant colors, features, 3-CCD design, performance, price, control layout

Cons: Digital stills only adequate, low light performance could be better

The Bottom Line: 
The Panasonic GS120 is a camcorder that packs impressive technology and produces vibrant colors and good detail level for the price. Just don't...

Author's Review
Who would think several years ago that one would be able to buy a 3-CCD camcorder for less than $500. The Panasonic PV-GS120 is such a model - it features a professional-style 3-CCD design with three separate imaging sensors for red, green and blue color (majority of consumer-grade camcorders has only one sensor for all colors).

In addition, the camcorder features Leica Dicomar optics with variable-speed 10x optical zoom. Also, it has still photo mode and analog inputs. The camcorder is digital and records onto MiniDV tapes, which are compact and represent a virtual industry standard.

Pictures

To see how this camcorder looks, go to

http://www.review-shop.com/Panasonic_GS120/Panasonic_GS120_1.html

(you can copy and paste this URL into your web browser's address area).

Zoom and Optics

The camcorder's lens features an f/1.8 maximum aperture and 10x optical zoom (more than enough for the casual shooting). The lens uses 7 multicoated elements and a two-step ND filter. The coatings reduce reflections and glare.

The camcorder uses an electronic image stabilizer to reduce unwanted image shake, which quite effective. In addition to the auto focus, there is a manual focus. The auto/manual focus switch is under you right hand on the side of the camcorder.

LCD and Viewfinder

The camcorder has a 2.5-inch LCD screen and a color viewfinder, that, unlike some recent Sony camcorders, tilts. Good thinking, Panasonic. Bad thinking, Sony. The LCD conceals buttons to control some of the camcorder’s functions. Once the LCD is flipped open, you can use the buttons behind it. This is also unlike Sony, where you have to wander through the menus and touch the LCD itself.

Features

The GS120 has a rotary-style mode switch, which is similar to some advanced digital cameras – it is easier to use than some other approaches. The camcorder is compact and convenient to hold. The zoom rocker as well as the “photo shoot” (shutter release for digital photos) button are within easy reach.

The camcorder allows you to use the manual focus when you need to. Also, the camcorder has manual white balance and exposure in addition to the automatic settings and the controls for them are easy to access. It features several auto exposure modes, special effects, fade in and out, etc.

You can even select the shutter speed or use Macro focus.

Audio

The camcorder has a built-in stereo microphone that zooms with the video zoom. To improve the situation even more, you have an option of connecting an external microphone. The wind noise can be reduced by engaging the Wind Cut function.

Otherwise, the camcorder’s audio recording capability is very impressive with digital recording featuring wide dynamic range and low inherent noise.

Performance

Due to the use of three separate CCD sensors, the camcorder produces very wide range of colors. The edges of objects are very sharp. Perhaps the edge enhancement setting is aggressive. The detail level is very good. All of the above applies to video.

The camcorder's low light performance trails Sony DCR-TRV70, which is not a surprise since it uses 1/6-inch CCDs (unlike TRV70’s 1/4-inch single CCD). The sharpness also trails the TRV70, which uses a single 2.1-Megapixel CCD, unlike the GS120’s three 460,000-pixel CCDs. Keep in mind that the TRV70 is substantially more expensive.

Still Pictures

The panel behind the LCD flips out to reveal the SD card slot. You can store digital still pictures on an SD card or a MultiMedia Card (MMC is slower and I recommend that you use an SD card)/ The camcorder can take digital still pictures at 1280x960 pixels or 640x480 resolution.

You can select among three compression settings (Fine, Normal and Economy) for each resolution setting (6 combinations total). The better the quality, the fewer photos fits on one memory card. The highest-resolution Fine mode lets you fit 8 pictures on an 8MB SD Card.

You can also get a card of larger capacity. The USB connection lets you stream video to your PC or download your digital still pictures with a supplied USB cable.

The still picture quality will not rival a dedicated digital still camera as the resolution is rather low. But for emailing or web posting, the photos are sufficient.

Connectivity

The camcorder has FireWire (IEEE 1394) connector as well as a USB 2.0 (fast) jack. It also allows you record from analog source through its analog input (A/V and S-Video) and output analog video through the A/V/S-Video out.

Battery

The camcorder uses a Lithium-Ion battery that lasts about 90-120 minutes and charges in about 2 hours and change.

Bottom Line

The Panasonic GS120 is a camcorder that packs impressive technology and produces vibrant colors and good detail level for the price. Just don’t expect excellent digital still pictures, but excellent video only.


My Reviews of Other Digital Camcorders

Sony DVD Camcorders:
Sony DCR-DVD201 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-DVD101 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review

Sony MiniDV Camcorders:
Sony DCR-HC40 1-Megapixel Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC30 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC20 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review

Sony Digital8 Camcorders:
Sony DCR-TRV460 Handycam Digital8 Digital Camcorder Review

Panasonic MiniDV Camcorders:
Panasonic PV-GS200 Palmcorder 3CCD Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Panasonic PV-GS120 Palmcorder Mini DV Digital 3CCD Camcorder Review