Panasonic Panasonic PV-GS500

Panasonic PV-GS500

Panasonic PV-GS500 Review, by Richard Baguley June 9, 2006

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• Reviewed by: Apple777

  Overall: I'm going to return my PV-GS500 because it is almost impossible for me to work around the handstrap. I am a small woman with small fingers and this camcorder is just not for me. To push the record button seems almost impossible as the strap is just below it. Also I don't see how I can easly manuver the zoom and the record at the same time. Feeling bad about this because I think it's a good camcorder - just not my size!

• Reviewed by: GASTURBO1

  Strengths: WIDE SCREEN, GREAT PICTURE QUALITY, COMPACT AND LIGHT WEIGHT.

  Weaknesses: NO BILT IN VIDEO LIGHT, NO 5.1 SOUND.

  Overall: This is a great camcorder for those looking for the best picture quality with a wide screen display at a reasonable price. The only drawbacks that I can think of are the lack of a built in video light. I guess panasonic chose to omit this feature to save battery. A hot shoe is provided, however, if you want to add an external video light. Also there is no 5.1 digital sound like some competitors, but the stereo sound that it delivers is superb. Overall the PV-GS500 is a very good digital camcorder.

• Reviewed by: milanashah

  Strengths: very very handy. very nice

  Weaknesses: trying to find

  Overall: its perfect for family use. very nice indoor quality. Zoom works great. I am very happy with result. Software comes with it is nice also. It also seperates as chapters when the pictures are different. but you can remove those breaks.

• Reviewed by: drdcs

  Strengths: Excellent color and resolution. Great low-light ability. Very smooth and precise zoom control.

  Weaknesses: Low resolution/poor quality still shots. Uncomfortable grip position.

  Overall: I did a lot of research before I bought this excellent camcorder a couple of weeks ago. I decided not to get the Sony HDR-HC3 camcorder since it costs about twice as much. Also, I don't think HDV is quite ready for prime time.I have a somewhat limited experience with the GS500 so far. I have filmed around the house, outdoors while on a river tubing trip and also in a darkly lit hospital room for my wife's ultrasound. The ultrasound footage was very surprising. With very little light in the room I was able to film the black & white monitor screen on the ultrasound machine and people in the room with no problem! I was amazed. I had to think hard about things I didn't like about this camera. The only thing I could come up with is the poor quality of the still shots it can take--but I didn't buy the camcorder for this anyways. You still need a digital camera for stills.

• Reviewed by: bgesli

  Strengths: * 3 CCD provides excellent picture quality* Small, lightweight and easy to use* Great sound capture, even without a remote mic* Joystick control is intuitive and simple

  Weaknesses: * Low light situations do significantly impact picture quality* Hand strap is anchored to the camera in an awkward location

  Overall: This is a tremendous camcorder. It is certainly a bit more pricey than an entry-level camcorder, but compared to other cameras with an equivalent picture quality, it is a great bargain. I was especially impressed with the sound capture and the crispness of the zoom. It is totally silent and does not impair the recording at all.I was a bit unimpressed with the way the hand strap is affixed to the camera. Instead of being anchored at the midpoint (bottom-to-top) where the weight would be evenly distributed, it is anchored more toward the bottom than the top. As a result, the camera pulls away from your hand at the top and it feels like it is trying to hop out of your hand. This makes it a bit difficult to do one-handed recording.However, this is a minor inconvenience in an otherwise fantastic camcorder. So far, I am quite pleased with the purchase.