Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS35 Camcorder - Silver

I was planning to visit my native country after retiring so I decided to buy a cheap & multifunction camcorder with a high zoom. After a lot of Internet research ,I decided to look for this model at a reasonable price. I got it from ebay auction and I liked all the features especially the joystick control and high zoom. One drawback is the low light capability but for the price I got it I am well pleased. I would say it is an excellent product for my use.

Best zoom in it's class... best low light capability, good software with it, better than average battery life, controls are intuitive... excellent value...

This camcorder is very compact, but still enough weight to hold steady. I like the simplicity of the menu and layout, while keeping nice features like a microphone input, usb/firewire, and built in light. It should be noted however that the light in not very powerful. No hotshoe, or shoe of any kind so you have to get creative with your miking and lighting but for the price you can't beat this camcorder.

This camera has lots of manual controls that are great. It is a little hard to navigate the menu for the manual controls, but it will prevent novices from accidentally setting the focus and exposure incorrectly. Overall, it is a great camera!

I have done a lot of research on camcorders and I was a Sony brand person. My pc is a Sony Vaio, all electtonics I have are Sony except the televsions. However I wasn't impressed with the Sony cams. I wanted the most optical zoom I could get for my money and Sony didn't have it. Thus Panasonic came into play. I am just elated about this camcorder. The optical zoom is what you need to focus on excuse the pun. The digital zoom is like not what gives the best pictures it is the optical zoom. Check out some information on the internet about optical zoom and you will see what I mean. I got this for my sons football games for recording it is excellent. With a memory card it also takes pics. But of course I believe in getting a digital camera if you want better quality pics. But for a quick pic it is great. The camcorder is so good I recorded a boat on Lake Erie by a plant that had capsized is owner and was being banged up against the rocks the pictures where so great my footage aired on local news station. I am sold on Panasonic. Go in the stores touch it fell it. It has a quick start recording and it is user friendly. I can't say any more that EXCELLENT!