PV-GS120 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: pvgs120
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CNET Editor rating:
Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 22 reviews
- More product information:
- Product brief
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- Featuring Leica Optics and 3CCD technology, Panasonic PV-GS120 camcorder produces motion and still images with true-to-life color and expressive detail. This top-of-the-line camcorder incorporates 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 ... Read more
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Product brief
Intro: The panasonic PV-GS120 Digital Palmcorder Multicam Camcorder is a MiniDV-based, ultra-compact camcorder.Compared to other ultra-compact camcorders on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $1,000.
Noteworthy Features: This camcorder has three CCD sensors, each dedicated to filtering red, green or blue light frequencies.This results in richer, more accurate colors than camcorders with only a single CCD.Provides manual focus adjustment, whereas many camcorders have only auto-focus.Weighing a little over a pound without battery or media, this camcorder is reasonably portable.
Weaker Features: None noted, given available product data.
Suitability: Designed for the frequent traveler, since it is relatively smaller than some other camcorders.The manufacturer estimates that a fully charged battery will provide 145 minutes of power, though this will vary depending on your usage.
Value: In general, this camcorder's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.
Suggestions: For more help selecting the right digital camcorder, visit CNET Reviews' buying guide.
User reviews
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Panasonic PV-GS120 vs Canon Elura 70
by ovt on March 8, 2005
Pros: GS120: 3CCD, excellent picture, great sound
Cons: not true 16:9
Summary: I wanted to upgrade my old Sony camcorder so I started my research. Being the frugal guy I am, I did an immense amount of research in video magazines and ...
Summary: I wanted to upgrade my old Sony camcorder so I started my research. Being the frugal guy I am, I did an immense amount of research in video magazines and on the Net, including Camcorderinfo.com. Great site BTW. I also knew that the new line of miniDV camcorders would be out soon so I wanted to get a good deal on a miniDV before they were replaced with newer models. I then wanted to have the opinions of the people who sold miniDV cameras so I visited every local store that carried miniDV camcorders. My minimum requirement criteria was as follows:
-Under $1000 CDN
-16:9 widescreen
-S-Video
-External mic input
-Top-loading cassette
-High Optical zoom
-High-quality video
After my research, it came down to 2 camcorders, the Canon Elura 70 or the Panasonic PV-GS120.
To see my pick and the reasons for it, visit:
http://ottawavideotransfer.com/20 out of 20 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent camcorder for the price!
by chillindave on February 26, 2005
Pros: I've never owned a mini DV camcorder before, but I am confident I made the best buy. This camcorder has excellent color accuracy and image sharpness.
Cons: The EIS will not work in lower light conditions. Everyone is saying how poor the picture mode is, but for a still you intend on adding in the video during editing, it's just right.
Summary: All in all, this is a wonderful camera. I stepped up from a Hi-8 camcorder to this one for better image quality and got way more than I ever expected. ...
Summary: All in all, this is a wonderful camera. I stepped up from a Hi-8 camcorder to this one for better image quality and got way more than I ever expected. The reviews on this camera were good so this is the one I went with. I was looking at a much more expensive 3CCD camcorder and I'm glad I found this one. It has some fairly cool digital effects to play around with.
I already had several video editing software, so I didn't bother with the one that came with it. Anyone wanting to make some really good looking videos, this is the camera for you!15 out of 15 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A GREAT Camera...PERIOD!
Pros: OK, I read so much of these camcorder reviews before buying, it's unbelievable. I researched this topic for a few months before finally getting a camcorder and the Panasonic GS-120 was my choice. First, I decided to go cheap and buy a Canon ZR85; decent c
Cons: OK, there are 2 and ONLY 2 cons to this camera: 1) EIS; yes, it's true. The EIS is unpredictable and not very effective. 2) LCD does glare at certain angles, so it requires some adjusting on the user's part. For me, these are a small price to pay for all
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great camera, slim on features
Pros: Absolutely the best image and color quality I've ever seen in a consumer camcorder (thanks to the 3CCD color processing). It's not just color that's sharp, but image quality overall is very crisp. Good lens. Top-loading tape compartment. Built in wind-
Cons: Slim on features. No night-vision shooting. Not a huge deal, but still would be nice to have. No image stabelization. Which is kind of a pain when you zoom in to a subject. When zoomed out it's not a problem. No recording mpegs to memory card on this mo
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent picture quality
by thedocku on March 7, 2005
Pros: Good indoor picture quality
Cons: still pictures in low resolution
Summary: Excellent picture quality for this price range. Reds appear to be slightly oversaturated when shooting indoors. However, colors do appear vibrant even in low light situations
Summary: Excellent picture quality for this price range. Reds appear to be slightly oversaturated when shooting indoors. However, colors do appear vibrant even in low light situations
5 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Spectacular video quality
by vaibhavkuchhal on June 16, 2005
Pros: Video quality, hasslefree
Cons: Still picture quality
Summary: I bought this camera 10 months back for $520. I have previouly used Canon ZR60 and Sony TRV38. Panasonic PV-GS120 is far better than Canon and can very well compete ...
Summary: I bought this camera 10 months back for $520. I have previouly used Canon ZR60 and Sony TRV38. Panasonic PV-GS120 is far better than Canon and can very well compete with Sony, which is more expensive. The video quality that I get from GS120, both in day light and indoor, are much better than TRV38. I give it a perfect 10 in that. Just that its zoom and still pictures are not that great. But, they are not bad, either.
Overall, its worth to have this camcorder as it's light on your pocket, as well. -
Good inexpensive 3CCD cam
by nico_ch. on June 12, 2005
Pros: Can use as a web cam, firewire port for digital edition, great outdoors filming, 3 CCD not expensive cam, good for home-office users, easy to opperate, still pictures for 1.2 megapixeles,
Cons: needs light for indoor, no flash for still pictures,
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good camera for outdoor shooting
by finnegan217 on May 17, 2005
Pros: small, lightweight, bright colors
Cons: does NOT shoot well at all in low light
Summary: This is probably the best consumer 3CCD camera for the price--if most of your shoots will be in daylight or brightly-lit situations. If you're looking for an all-purpose camera ...
Summary: This is probably the best consumer 3CCD camera for the price--if most of your shoots will be in daylight or brightly-lit situations. If you're looking for an all-purpose camera that can shoot in dim rooms or outside during evening hours, look elsewhere. Even at 12db, this camera does not pick up much of anything below normal/average room light.
I like the portablility and white-balance capapbilities of GS120. The stereo mic sounds good--not a lot of shutter buzz. The 1.2 megapixel built-in still camera is ok for simple document pics, but if you want to get artsy, buy a real digital still camera. The faux-focus ring is lame. In order to rack focus you have to push the ff & rew buttons.
In retrospect, I wish I would have paid a little extra money and gone with the slightly-higher priced PV-GS250, which has a real ***** ring and a built-in light for night shooting. -
Great BUY for a 3CCd camera
by PeterGriffin on February 24, 2005
Pros: Cost, Pic quality, Size
Cons: Low Light , Unable to charge battery while plugged in
Summary: Got this camera at Costco for $400....it was a display....but pretty much brand new....at that price for a 3CCD camera...this was a no brainer.
I previously ...Summary: Got this camera at Costco for $400....it was a display....but pretty much brand new....at that price for a 3CCD camera...this was a no brainer.
I previously owned the panasonic pv gs33 which cost me $439 last year. When caompared side by side, the 3CCd makes a huge difference and the Leica Dicomar lens probably helps. At $400 or 500, this camera is a great bargain. I just wish you could charge the battery at the same time while in use. Also, I wish there was a way to turn off the powersave feature which shuts it down automatically. -
stop shopping you found it.
Pros: I spent a lot of man hours researching for the best camera, (a lot like your doing now)this was hands down the best of them all. Compared it to sony's HC line and canon and found the gs120 to be the best. The 3ccd's technology is a steal for the price w
Cons: I paid 600 for it and was really looking to spend between 300 and 500 but the 3ccd's was worth paying a little more. I didn't want to get a camera I was going to out grow in 6months.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: pvgs120
- Description: Featuring Leica Optics and 3CCD technology, Panasonic PV-GS120 camcorder produces motion and still images with true-to-life color and expressive detail. This top-of-the-line camcorder incorporates 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. It also boasts 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 camcorder can also record high-resolution digital still images utilizing the versatile SD Memory Card. 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 new PV-GS120 is also extremely easy to operate.
General
- Product Type Camcorder
- Digital Zoom 700 x
- Optical Sensor Size 1/6"
- Optical Sensor Type 3CCD
- Min Illumination 1 lux
- Special Effects Mix, Slim, Sepia, Mirror, Stretch, Negative, Solarization, Black & White, Multi-image screen, Picture-in-Picture
- Image Stabilizer Electronic
- Digital Scene Transition Black fader
- Min Shutter Speed 1/60 sec
- Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec
- Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Low light, Spotlight, Sports mode, Surf & snow, Portrait mode
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor
- Exposure Modes Manual, Program, Automatic
- Camera Flash None
- Webcam Capability Yes
Main Features
- Color Support Color
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture No
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 8 MB Flash - SD Memory Card
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage Fine JPEG 1280 x 960 : 9 - With 8MB card, Normal JPEG 1280 x 960 : 16 - With 8MB card, Economy JPEG 1280 x 960 : 23 dBi - With 8MB card, Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 45 - With 8MB card, Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 95 - With 8MB card, Economy JPEG 640 x 480 : 190 - With 8MB card
- Media Type Mini DV
- Recording Speed LP, SP
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 2.45 mm - 24.5 mm - F/1.8
- Focal Length 2.45 mm - 24.5 mm
- Lens Aperture F/1.8
- Optical Zoom 10 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 2.45 mm
- Max focal length 24.5 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Lens Manufacturer Leica
- Filter Size 37 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Min Focus Range 15.7 in
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- DV input Yes
- Edit Functions Audio dubbing
- Digital Still Camera Function Yes
- Title Generator Yes
- Search Modes Index search
- Additional Features DPOF support, Auto power save, Date/time stamp, Built-in speaker, Demonstration mode, Backlight compensation, Analog to digital conversion with pass through
- Time Code Yes
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
- Software Drivers & Utilities
- Included Accessories Lens cap, Camcorder shoulder strap
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Electronic
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Features Zoom, Wind noise reduction
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x S-Video input / output, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x Microphone, 1 x Headphones, 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter + battery charger - External
- Battery type 1 x Camcorder battery - Rechargeable - Lithium ion
- Run Time (Up To) 145 min
- Recharge time 130 min
Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 113,000 pixels
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 ?F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 ?F
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.8 in
- Depth 5 in
- Height 3 in
- Weight 1.1 lbs
Manufacturer info
- Panasonic
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.panasonic.com/
- Address:
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537
