Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
Product Description
Amazon.com Review
The Panasonic PV-DV401 is a no-frills camcorder that's ideal for anyone who wants a digital camcorder but doesn't need a lot of extras. While perfectly adequate for general use, the camera didn't overwhelm us with good design and fantastic footage. The PV-DV401 is great for a family, but not the camera of choice for digital-video hobbyists.
Digital camcorders generally do very well in brightly lit environments, and the PV-DV401 was no exception. Low-light shooting wasn't too bad either; the picture was decent without being too grainy--a flaw of many digital camcorders. The lack of manual exposure control left much to be desired; in certain environments the auto exposure struggled between letting in too much light and letting in too little light. For nighttime shooting there is a nifty infrared mode where you shoot visible video in practically no light at all. Video playback was standard fare; however, at this price range it would be nice to include a remote control as a standard accessory. The large 3-inch LCD viewscreen is a big plus; it was very comfortable to look at during both recording and playback.
The overall design of this camcorder seems uninspired. With so many manual functions, digital effects, and settings, Panasonic could have done much better by bringing them out as buttons on the camera rather than tucking them away in hard-to-navigate onscreen menus. The jog wheel at the top of the camera performs many different camera functions, but it began to get tedious to use because of its odd placement and design. We inadvertently pressed the nearby photo button several times while trying to access the jog wheel.
Digital camcorders have been getting progressively better and cheaper the last few years. The PV-DV401 follows that trend, but has nothing to differentiate it from a crowded field. Simply put, it's just an average camera. --Bao Tran
Pros:
Large LCD viewscreen
Infrared low-light shooting
Lightweight and small
No manual exposure control
Awkward design, menu, and buttons
No remote
Average customer rating: 
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Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
Manufacturer: Panasonic ProductGroup: Photography Binding: Electronics  All Digital Camcorders
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Product Features:
ASIN: B00005A3LV |
Amazon.com Review
The Panasonic PV-DV401 is a no-frills camcorder that's ideal for anyone who wants a digital camcorder but doesn't need a lot of extras. While perfectly adequate for general use, the camera didn't overwhelm us with good design and fantastic footage. The PV-DV401 is great for a family, but not the camera of choice for digital-video hobbyists.Digital camcorders generally do very well in brightly lit environments, and the PV-DV401 was no exception. Low-light shooting wasn't too bad either; the picture was decent without being too grainy--a flaw of many digital camcorders. The lack of manual exposure control left much to be desired; in certain environments the auto exposure struggled between letting in too much light and letting in too little light. For nighttime shooting there is a nifty infrared mode where you shoot visible video in practically no light at all. Video playback was standard fare; however, at this price range it would be nice to include a remote control as a standard accessory. The large 3-inch LCD viewscreen is a big plus; it was very comfortable to look at during both recording and playback.
The overall design of this camcorder seems uninspired. With so many manual functions, digital effects, and settings, Panasonic could have done much better by bringing them out as buttons on the camera rather than tucking them away in hard-to-navigate onscreen menus. The jog wheel at the top of the camera performs many different camera functions, but it began to get tedious to use because of its odd placement and design. We inadvertently pressed the nearby photo button several times while trying to access the jog wheel.
Digital camcorders have been getting progressively better and cheaper the last few years. The PV-DV401 follows that trend, but has nothing to differentiate it from a crowded field. Simply put, it's just an average camera. --Bao Tran
Pros:
Amazon.com Product Description
The PV-DV401 is a great introduction into the world of digital video. Featuring a 20x optical zoom, along with digital image stabilization (during both recording and playback), which helps eliminate those shakes and bounces common to high zoom levels, this model has everything you need to start capturing beautiful footage. You can use either the 3-inch color LCD monitor or the electronic viewfinder to frame your shots.To help ensure that the footage you shoot will be the best it can be, the PV-DV401 has a five-mode programmed autoexposure that will adjust aperture, white balance, and other settings automatically. Also included are a number of digital effects and faders, letting you give your footage some fun, creative touches.
Still photos can be captured at a resolution of 640 x 480. Save them on either the included 8 MB Panasonic secure digital (SD) card or a MultiMediaCard. A USB port is built in for speedy transfer of your images. For those interested in video editing, the PV-DV401 has a built-in IEEE-1394 port for speedy, lossless transfer of your video and audio. Also included are analog outputs for viewing your home movies on your television, or for transfer to a VHS tape.
Product Description
The PV-DV401 delivers high-resolution digital video that is so sharp, it must be seen to be believed. But that is just the beginning. It also features an 20X optical zoom lens, digital effects, i.LINK and USB interfaces, 3-inch color LCD monitor and color viewfinder, removable MultiMedia card, and a MagicVU, or IR filter that allows recording in near total darkness. Mini DV is the revolutionary digital video format that takes home video recording to new, previously unimaginable levels.Customer Reviews:
Less than Thrilled with my PV-DV401.......2002-03-20
Great Digital Video Camera.......2002-02-27
Stills are ok in bright light, but less than 1 megapixel so detail is not there compared to current digital still cameras.
Minor negative - I get an editing artifact in the last frame of the last scene on tape.
A shame it doesn't do 16:9 though...
The Price is Right.......2002-02-08
So far I haven't missed a shot with my two kids and the quality has been everything I need. I'm not making feature films - what level of quality is too much?
Great Video quality - stills are bad.......2002-01-03
No XP Driver for USB on PV-DV401.......2002-01-01
Pro:
-Can make decent stills from the tape. Easier than getting junior to keep the right facial expression at the moment I shoot.
Con:
-Have to remove battery to power camera from AC. The charger can't charge the battery and run the camera simultaneously.
-No frame-by-frame advance button. At least not that I could find.
-The USB plugin is inside the cavity where the LCD sits when closed. So you have to have the LCD open to use the USB out. It would be better placed with the rest of the jacks on front right....
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