Panasonic PVDV52 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2.5'' Color LCD
Panasonic PVDV52 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2.5'' Color LCD
Product Description
Product Description
With its 10x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, and digital still mode, the PV-DV52 is a well-rounded introduction to the world of digital video. Equipped with an IEEE 1394 port for lossless video transfer to your computer, you can start creating professional-looking movies at home without the exorbitant costs of a professional editing system.
The still-shot mode records photos at a resolution of 640 x 480--perfect for posting on the Web or e-mailing to family and friends. With the PV-DV52, you get all the traditional benefits of digital video, including 520 lines of resolution--tops among camcorders--and PCM digital audio, which is also the highest quality of the various camcorder formats.
Product Description:
Offering high-resolution digital video, high-quality digital still images and PC interoperability, the new Panasonic Palmcorder MultiCam digital camcorders combine fun and function for beginners and accomplished videographers alike. More than just a camcorder, every new model features the built-in PhotoShot digital still camera feature, letting consumers enjoy two ways to capture their memories in a single, compact package: digital video and digital still photos. With more PC-friendly features than ever, the new digital camcorders are ready for a variety of multimedia applications, and can also easily serve as web cameras for home videoconferencing. All models feature an i.LINK IEEE 1394 PC interface, making it easy to download digital recordings (still images and moving pictures) to computers where they can be edited, included in e-mail messages or used in the creation of web sites. The PV-DV52 features a high-quality 680K CCD and 2.5" color LCD monitor. The PV-DV52 can record still pictures on DV tape. It includes PhotoVu Link with an RS-232 serial connection.
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Panasonic PVDV52 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2.5" Color LCD
Manufacturer: Panasonic ProductGroup: Photography Binding: Electronics  All Digital Camcorders
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ASIN: B00005YTWY |
Product Description
Offering high-resolution digital video, high-quality digital still images and PC interoperability, the new Panasonic Palmcorder MultiCam digital camcorders combine fun and function for beginners and accomplished videographers alike. More than just a camcorder, every new model features the built-in PhotoShot digital still camera feature, letting consumers enjoy two ways to capture their memories in a single, compact package: digital video and digital still photos. With more PC-friendly features than ever, the new digital camcorders are ready for a variety of multimedia applications, and can also easily serve as web cameras for home videoconferencing. All models feature an i.LINK IEEE 1394 PC interface, making it easy to download digital recordings (still images and moving pictures) to computers where they can be edited, included in e-mail messages or used in the creation of web sites. The PV-DV52 features a high-quality 680K CCD and 2.5" color LCD monitor. The PV-DV52 can record still pictures on DV tape. It includes PhotoVu Link with an RS-232 serial connection.Amazon.com Review
Panasonic's low-end MiniDV camcorder, the PV-DV52, doesn't have all of the features of its pricier siblings--like a zoom mic or a larger LCD--but it does capture high-quality video in a light, tight package.Although its 10x optical zoom is lower than other camcorders, it still provides a close-up image for average recording, and a hefty 700x digital zoom capability as well. The image stabilization feature of the PV-DV52 worked well, keeping our frame steady even during one-handed filming.
The PV-DV52 will capture still images as well, but only at 640 x 480 resolution. It also stores images to tape, which sometimes makes them difficult to locate in order to transfer them to PC.
Speaking of transferring, you'll need a FireWire port to move video and stills over at high speed, as the camera doesn't include USB connectivity. It does offer a serial connection, but that is only for transferring still images, as moving video via a serial connection would be akin to draining a lake with a stirring straw.
Some of Panasonic's more expensive MiniDV camcorders offer a 3.5-inch LCD, but the 2.5-inch color LCD of the PV-DV52 proved large enough for average use. The PV-DV52 also offers some nice features for low-light recording (although not for no-light recording), including the MagicPix digital enhancement mode and a built-in light with a 10-foot range.
Tapes eject from the top of the PV-DV52, allowing you to keep the camera on an optional tripod when popping in a new tape. And the battery--which lasted a little over an hour--charges separately from the camera, which makes it easier to have a backup fully charged.
For the price, the Panasonic PV-DV52 allows for high-quality video recording without requiring a big investment. It's a great starter camcorder for a family on a budget. --J. Curtis
Pros:
Cons:
Amazon.com Product Description
Digital camcorders have finally reached both a level of both technological sophistication and affordability, and Panasonic's PV-DV52 is prime example. Casual video users will be pleased with the 2.5-inch LCD screen, 10x optical zoom, digital still capability, and a built-in video light.
Lens
With an optical zoom magnification of 10x, the DV52 also has a digital zoom, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image, and can magnify the picture up to 700 times. The digital image stabilization system keeps the picture steady and solid throughout zooms and camera shakes.
Digital Stills
The camcorder has a mode called progressive photo shoot, so that images captured will not have the jagged lines of interlaced video and instead come out clear and undistorted.
Inputs and Outputs
The DC252 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. RCA connections are used for direct viewing on a television or VHS dubbing.
MiniDV Format
MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll also get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture.
Using Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) technology, Panasonic's MiniDV camcorders provide pristine sound. Choose from 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes.
This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of two full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.
Customer Reviews:
Seems great as reviews say, but turns out to be junk.......2006-06-07
Ruined 3 vacations - stay away - horrible!.......2005-08-21
Great value - shame about the mic quality.......2003-03-03
I was very pleased with the picture quality and it is easy to use. I have tried the EIS feature(electronic image stabilization) and it really works and the effect on picture quality is barely noticeable.
Editing on a computer with the IEEE1394 interface is fun (and IEEE1394 interface cards for desktop and laptop PCs can be had very cheaply - I bought one for each.) The camcorder can even print the finished movies back to a blank MiniDV tape for archiving and for displaying on NTSC TVs.
The built-in microphone has very poor sound quality - voices sound very tinny. I wish it had a way of connecting an external microphone. And I wish a second, larger battery wasn't so expensive - it is hard to shop around for a third-party battery as the online catalogs rarely mention this model of camcorder.
Shop around for MiniDV tapes - good brands can be found for around $5 but I see them many places over $8.
The battery charger included with mine doubles as an AC adapter and works on many electrical systems round the world (just get a travel plug from your local hardware store.)
Simplicity is key........2003-01-13
I've played around with quite a few DV cameras, and almost all of them were impossible to figure out. Too many buttons. This camera only has the necessities. My only complaint about the ergonomics is that the record button could be placed better. I usually take my thumb off of it after I hit record, so I have to go searching for it when I want to pause or stop recording, so a lot of my video has a visible jiggle at the end where I was fumbling for the record toggle.
The quality of the video is superb. It gets a little grainy in low light, but no worse than any DV camera I've seen below $900.
Oh, one thing to note. This camera doesn't come with a DV tape to get you started. So, you better put a 3-pack in your shpping cart before you check out. I'd recommend a second battery, too.
This camera doesn't have an analog pass-thru, so you can't use it to transfer your old 8mm videos to DV.... but that's something you'd do only once anyway, right? Why spend the extra bucks on a camera that can do it then?
This is a great deal. If you are the bare-bones type, get this. You'll be pleased.
Best Value.......2003-01-09
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