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One of the best values in standard definition, tape-driven camcorders. If you don't mind tape, like the "run and gun" approach to spur of the moment images, this does a nice job. In its day, it was advertised as "near broadcast quality," which was true-- for clear day, outdoor shoots. You want manual mode for indoors. The 3 CCD chips are far better than current CMOS, which have rolling shutter effect. I have owned three since their 2006-2007 production run. As of this 2017 review, these cams are now eleven years old. You'll only find them used. Prices range from me than $300 to $30. Good luck!,
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It’s the perfect dvc camcorder. Great handling with a 4mp still shot going to an SD card. Only drawback is the SD card has to be 2 GB or less. These are hard to find now. Very portable and travels well!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I do professional audio and video event recording and now own 3 of this model, 2 purchased new and one used on E-bay. They are exceptional units and I value them for their sharp images, excellent color, and great low-light performance along with widescreen capability. The PV-GS500 is an exceptional value in having a 3CCD sensor in this price range along with a hot shoe and great audio level adjustment capability with selectable audio AGC along with the capability to do manual audio level adjustment with or without a peak limiter. Its versatile interfaces allow me to utilize an external video hard drive recorder as well as supply audio to the camcorder from a mixer, compressor, or other audio processing equipment and match its input to the output of my other equipment. It is also very well constructed as I have had no problem with any of my units. Manual iris and shutter adjustments along with video gain are very good. My only complaint is the inability to record at lower than 1/60 s shutter speed (1/30 s would occasionally be nice), although in most situations, the low-light capability of this unit is more than adequate at the higher speed.Read full review
I Have a Sony HDR HC1 Hi Def MiniDV as well, and this is the only Standard Definition Camcorder that comes close to it. Sometimes all the hype about Hi Def, is over blown. With the bigger chip size than previous 3CCD's from Panasonic models, this camera can handle lower indoor light vary well, while maintaining accurate colors. But the outdoor video is fantastic for a camera in this price range. The accuracy of the colors are unmatched from any consumer level 1CCD camcorder out there including 1CCD Hi Def models. Some tend to be a little hot (greens too green, etc). Also, since there are 3 chips (green, blue, and red), there is no internal fighting like that of a 1 chip camera to decide what priority to give each of the colors. Therefore, chroma (purple fringes around darker objects when there is a lighter background) is almost non existent. You don't need an easy mode setting on this model. Once you set the camera up for your liking, it pretty much does what it's suppose to. The external joy stick control allows you to use the view finder, and not have to always open up the LCD to adjust settings. This is important if you need to shoot against bright sunlight, or conserve battery power. The optical image stabilization works better than the electronic type, and one of the few that still give you a manual focus ring. The Leica Lens gives all others a run for their money, including Zeiss. The only thing I didn't like, is the way the hand strap is mounted. The front and rear clips are at the same level, and it makes it bit hard to hold. If they would be off-set, just a little, (the back clip up 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch like on the Sony's) it would be more comfortable to hold with just one hand. You will need to have long enough fingers to put over the top to grip it well as this is a fat camera. I think this might have something to do with it being a top loader. This was only a small issue for me. So if you don't need some of the manual features of the PV GS400, this is the one to get. Oh yeah, it also has a nice 4GB still feature.Read full review
I have been using this camera for a few months now, and absolutely LOVE IT! It has an amazing picture (3 CCD chips always help there), good microphone, intelligent automatic controls and easy-to-use manual controls. It fits in all hand sizes well. The cassette loads from the top of the camera, so you can leave it on the tripod and still change tapes, unlike other cameras I have used. The 5-way joystick navigation is a great feature, making it easy to move around the menus without ever having to take your finger off the control button. I have now purchased 3 of these cameras for clients and they all love them too!
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