Panasonic PVGS200 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Panasonic PVGS200 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Combining top-of-the-line features with affordability, the Panasonic PV-GS200 camcorder will help you achieve professional results with easy to use tools. This MiniDV camcorder features a 3CCD optical system for improved video clarity, 10x optical zoom, pop-up flash, manual focusing ring, 2.3-megapixel digital stills, and Secure Digital memory card slot.

Optics
The PV-GS200 incorporates same type of 3CCD imaging system used in PanasonicÕs professional camcorders, which results in vivid, true-to-life imagery with remarkable depth and presence. The PV-GS200 has three 760K CCDs for a total 2.3-megapixel resolution. It also boasts a Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known for its ability to capture and finely render the most delicate nuances of light and shade.

It features a 10x optical zoom lens and a 700x digital zoom for amazingly clear close-ups--from wide angle to full telephoto zoom. The PV-GS200 also has a Macro Zoom feature, which lets you shoot extreme close-ups at distances as close as 40cm (16 inches).

3CCD System
A 3CCD system uses an imaging system where the incoming light is split into its red, green, and blue parts (RGB) and captured on three separate CCD arrays. Each R/G/B signal has a full pixel resolution, resulting in a horizontal resolution three times higher than a typical camcorder's single CCD.

Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS200 can also capture digital still images up to 1760 x 1320 pixels--large enough to print 8 x 10-inch print enlargements. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot--an 8 MB SD card is included. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback.

More Features

2.5-inch LCD

Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend

MPEG-4 Movie mode lets you easily transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, attach to an e-mail, or add to your Web site

Webcam functionality

Manual focusing ring on lens

Pop-up flash for lighting digital still photos

MagicWire wired zoom control and narration microphone

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. 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 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorderÕs body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.

The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS55 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.

Amazon.com Product Description

Combining top-of-the-line features with affordability, the Panasonic PV-GS200 camcorder will help you achieve professional results with easy to use tools. This MiniDV camcorder features a 3CCD optical system for improved video clarity, 10x optical zoom, pop-up flash, manual focusing ring, 2.3-megapixel digital stills, and Secure Digital memory card slot.

More Features

2.5-inch LCD
Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend
MPEG-4 Movie mode lets you easily transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, attach to an e-mail, or add to your Web site
Webcam functionality
Manual focusing ring on lens
Pop-up flash for lighting digital still photos
MagicWire wired zoom control and narration microphone

The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorderÕs body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.

The MPEG-4 Movie mode lets you easily transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, attach to an e-mail, or add to your Web site.

Product Description

The new Panasonic model PV-GS200 camcorders take center stage in the company's 2004 camcorder line. Featuring Leica Optics and 3CCD technology, the new models produce motion and still images with true-to-life color and expressive detail. These top-of-the-line camcorders incorporate the same type of 3CCD imaging system used in Panasonic's celebrated professional camcorders. Individual CCDs are used to reproduce the red, green and blue colors that compose an image for vivid, true-to-life pictures with remarkable depth and presence. They also boast the sophisticated Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known for its ability to capture and finely render the most delicate nuances of light and shade. With a built in digital still camera feature, the new camcorders can also record high-resolution digital still images utilizing the versatile SD Memory Card. 2.3 mega pixel PV-GS200 features a 10x telescopic optical zoom lens; a 700x digital zoom that allows for amazing 700: 1 clear, close-ups from wide angle to full telephoto zoom; and a Macro Zoom feature, which lets users shoot extreme close-ups at distances as close as 40cm.To faithfully reproduce natural skin tones, the camcorder features the new Soft Skin Detail function, which detects skin's different tones and softens the focus to create a realistic blend. With new easy-to-access controls and "direct select" features, the PV-GS200 are also extremely easy to operate. The PV-GS200 features MPEG-4 movie recording capability. Users can transfer MPEG-4 video clips with audio to a PC to create clip libraries and presentations, or to attach to an e-mail. Used as Web cams, these models are ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or as a simple monitoring device when users are away from home.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-01-30

This is a tourist-camera body with a professional output! I use this camera for commercial video and public access cable TV. I've taken this camera on vacation all over the world. On a flat panel TV, people always remark how incredibly good the resolution is on this camera, in all sorts of lighting environs. One of the standouts is the excellent lens and the sharp autofocus. It also rocks with a steadicam. My next camera is going to be a lot less fun because it is more bulky.

Prosumer for less than $900!.......2005-11-20

I won't go into all the technical specs of this camera because the other reviewers have already done an excellent job of doing that. I bought my pv-gs200 2 years ago and it's really an amazing and value packed product. They're a little tough to find new now but I would imagine a refurb would be of equal quality. The #1 reason why I purchased the gs200 is because it has a manual focus ring. I can use it for stills and full motion video. This is a huge benefit, especially in low light shots. The color reproduction on the GS200 is spot on. I recently shot a family reunion at a beach in Long Island NY and discovered that if you capture the video in an uncompressed format using an app like Sony Vegas, you get results comparable to that of a higher end broadcast quality camera. For me, figuring this out was like unlocking the cameras true potential. I highly recommend this camera for the steady handed. It's ideal for tripod use too! Check out a video of my nephew picking his nose with both fingers, filmed with the GS200 and rendered as a an mpeg layer 2 file. http://www.robdrew.us/thepick.mpg Here's a link to a still I took with the GS200. It's a pic of the sun using no filters. http://www.robdrew.com/gallery/IMGA0502.JPG

Turn off the Digital Zoom to get better EIS.......2005-02-27

The Digital Zoom is just useless for most camera! It is just a marketing sick joke. Turn off that stupid Digital Zoomm then your EIS will work a lot better ( try not to zoom all the way to 10X). If you need to get closer to the object then try to use a telephoto lense converter ( may be around $99 for a decent one). Over all I think this camera is doing very well! I would definately recommend it! Video quality is superb! Still camera is not bad if you need a quick shot at something. The user manual is a real joke though but the menu is very easy to use. Thing you may need beside the camcorder:
- IEEE cable
- Adobe Premier
You will not be disappointed! At lest i didn't.
The new PV-GS250 has the Optical I.S. so you may want to look at it as well. But to me, the PV-GS200 is very good you just have to get use to it.

Don't buy it for the computer program........2005-02-01

The Panasonic PV-GS200 is a great camera as all the other reviewers have mentioned. Don't buy this camera for the computer program, DV Studio3. I have Win XP Home and installed the software that was included with the camera. I have yet to find out how it works as the program freezes as soon as you start it. I get the splash screen and that's it. I usually have to use the task manager to shut down the program. I contacted Panasonic via their website and after two weeks, have not received a response (not even an acknowledgement that they received my question). Camera is great but the program is the pits. -- Update: Finally got a response from Panasonic (three weeks). They recommended I use Windows Movie Maker to download the video. That worked. -- Update (again): The one thing that is not mentioned by anyone, including Panasonic tech support is the firewire cable. This is essential and is not included with the PV-GS200. Since this is a neccessary accessory, you'd think Panasonic would have mentioned this somewhere in their manual (and included one with the camera). Make sure you have one if you're using this camera.

Panasonic GS200.......2005-01-10

First off......why are all concerned about low light capabilities....most cameras are lowsy without some sort of external bulb. I had a GL2 which i recently sold because i no longer need to documentaries, and that camera needed an external light. Also the image stabilization is a joke. Like recent reviews. If you want perfection on screen then use a tripod and remote. Usually using the zoom won't keep you steady anyway. The GL2 had a powerful zoom but was shaky when held by hand. Gl2 is an awesome Prosumer camera. But thats what its for, a semi professional who is using it for non home use. The Panasonic GS200 is a superb below 1000 bucks small compact camera that is comparable in 3CCD video clarity as the GL2. I give the GS200 3 thumbs up. Those extra little features are for movie makers people, not Joe Schmo who is videoing his daughters sweet 16 and making a momento for future reference.

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