Panasonic PV-GS500 - Camcorder MiniDV de 3 CCDs

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I have now purchased six of these cameras and use them in a classroom setting. The quality of the image for the price of the camera makes this a valuable, reliable, workhorse in my program. Teenagers love using this camera and love the ease with which they can take manual control of the camera functions. Great product, great price.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

Mini DVs (and tape camcorders for that matter) are going out of style in favor of disk drive and memory card models but I would not call that improvement. The Panasonic PV-GS500 may be the last of the best. For one thing reliability of tape systems, which have been around for ages, is proven but did you know the number one reason that disk drives fail in laptops is that users move the laptop around when the drive is working? That is right most companies recommend that you put the laptop in "suspend" or "hibernate" mode before moving them to protect the drive. What do you think the drive is doing when you use your hard drive camcorder while you move around to take the video? That is right it is working! Aside from that the quality in hard drive systems is lower due to heavy compression of images which is not the case for tape models.
I am very happy with my 3-CCD Panasonic PV-GS500. The quality of the video is fantastic, the quality of the still image is great for 4X6 snap shots which is what I mostly use. I only wish more of the menu functions were in button forms and it had a headphone jack but I can live with it.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

Great product for low budget filmmaker

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

For standard definition this camcorder takes the cake in it's price range. Picture clarity is fantastic and the manual functions are easy to use.
The only downfall, but it need not be depending upon how you shoot, it does not have a microphone input. The built in microphone does a very fine job but if you are looking to use an external microphone, there is no input for this. Otherwise you can't beat this picture and camcorder for the price - clear colors.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I USE IT FOR JOB, FAMILY AND TRAVELING. THIS CAMERA I THINK IS A LITTLE SEMI PRO LOW COST.
YOU CAN ADJUST IT AS A SEMIPRO CAMERA.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

This is my first camcorder. I have had this camera now for about 3 weeks and so far so good. I took some video outside in the daylight and the quality is impressive. The colors are very bright and crisp. I actually commented to my wife that is records better color quality then my eyes. I found the zoom to be adequate for my needs. I shot more video inside and found the quality to be fair. I think if you are going to shoot indoors you will need a good amount of light (preferably white light not the older yellow lights bulbs). I did not use the software that came with the camera so I am not sure if it works well or not. With the software I did use, the camera downloaded to my computer fine with a high speed USB port. When you shoot in the smaller aspect ratio it cuts the sides of the picture off on the camera’s LCD screen, however I did not find this a big problem. With the full aspect ratio (wide screen) it fills the entire LCD screen. I paid the extra money over the GS320 b/c this camera included a couple more features (external microphone input). If you are not interested in the extras I would check at the GS320. All in all I am very happy with it.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I am an artist and image quality is important to my work. I am also moving to Japan and needed a small camera that could go with me for travel, so this seemed like a great choice. Low-light performance is great, and I find it pretty easy to change the manual settings while shooting with the thumb control. This button allows you to set the aperture, white balance and others quickly. The quick dial of the older V-400 seems nicer and I was tempted to get a used one, but opted for the V-500. V-400s are still super expensive, even used and I like having the warranty.

No problems after 2 months. Like everyone says, the lack of headphone jack is just stupid. However, I am quite pleased with the purchase. Well worth a little more money for the better image quality and nice lens. It feels a little awkward to hold, but not terrible.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

My first camcorder and I am totally impressed by the quality of the video. As I have read on other review websites - near broadcast quality. Other reviewers who complain about the lack of a headphone jack have obviously not found out about the workaround for that using the A/V out port. Works great with my headphones and Rode Stereo VideoMic.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I use the camcorder in my work and at play
the zoom is very smooth the color is true and clean
one thing is wrong on head phone jack
all in all love this camcorder

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I use the camera for sporting events and documentary filmmaking. It has great color and clarity. With the external shotgun mic I hook to the top it has great sound quality. Plus it's much more economical than a larger camera.

On the downside, there isn't a headphone jack if you use an external mic, so you can't listen to what you're recording.

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

This camera produces great images and the focus ring is great.the only thing i dont like about it is no headphone jack.Perfect for indie filmmakers with a really tight budget (like me).

Expertise: Student Filmmaker

Problems Encountered: No headphone jack.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Sony dcr hc26

Items I Recommend: lowepro mini trekker, rode videomic

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

This camera has everything the budget-conscious videographer could ask for with the exception of headphone jack. The mini-mic works well, and our documentary interviews sound terrific even with inexpensive lavaliers.Joystick controls are a bit intrusive in your monitor, and be sure you choose the proper aspect ratio as widescreen is offered here. Standard 3x4 looks a bit scrunched in the monitor. Be sure and white balance, as a bluish tint can appear when shooting old black and white prints. Overall, a good value, especially with the price dropping to less than $700. I would have rather the digital still camera have been left out of the design, and money put into headphone input. Still, three Lcds and a quality feel. Can you believe we used to spend more than a grand for VHS cams less than two decades ago? My railroad history videos have never looked better. Bring them on!

Expertise: Medium, video producer, with a BA degree in Technical Communications

Problems Encountered: Battery life is unimpressive. The strap for hand-held is awkward.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Sony Digital 8's-- several models

Items I Recommend: Panasonic 63 minute Professional grade tapes, don't cut corners! Audio Technica lavalier mic

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

I used this camcorder for 6 months. I bought this from B&H,great store. I use it for educationalpurposes. So far, I'm happy about the video quality. Well,since it has 3 ccd's we can't question how it capturescolor accurately. What I like about this camcorder - color isnot over saturated as what other consumer cameras do. Youget what you see. It's not a low light performer, it can'tcompete with 1/3 camcorders but the video in low light isacceptable/usable. You can capture good videos especially ifyou manually control everything. Manual white balanceperforms well. I highly recommend this camcorder.

Problems Encountered: No problems encountered

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

It may not hold a candle to the PV-GS400 in terms of manual controls but the PRO CINEMA mode, in addition to the low light performance make this an excellent consumer to pro-sumer product. Many people Are extremely upset by the lack of a manual zoom function built into this camera, but honestly the performance video quality wise is enough to silence their claims. And if you have checked the consumer market lately cameras no long have the focus rings that we all enjoy, but panasonic has decided to leave this function on the camera. So don't be fooled by those who are shaming panasonic for making this camera. It is a fully functional excellent machine with top of the line parts and design.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Canon GL-2

Comments about Panasonic PV-GS500 3-CCD Mini DV Camcorder:

A nice upgrade, a terrible mistake. At least this model hasa mini mic input. But where are the headphone jacks? Panasonic makes the best professional models today includingthe HVX and DVX, why not put the same attention to detailinto the consumer products?

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Panasonic GS-180