Customer Reviews
Excelent 3CCD camcorder 
2007-12-01
it's very simple. If you can't decide what camcorder to buy, and you want the best mini-DV one (to get full quality from your video, since HD and DVD camcorders record in Mpeg2 format), then buy this one.
Even other panasonic ones, more advanced in model numbers are not that great as this one. Basically because it has a mic connection, so you can attach your own external mic which is what everyone should do to get good sound and no amateur one.
Also you can manually adjust the focus with the ring, no servo-motor adjustment (you get automatic too of course). Manual-white balance is there too.
It's a 3CCD and the picture quality is great even at low light.
I checked every other camera out there at this moment, and none of them have everything I wanted, except this one.
Best 600 i've ever spent 2007-11-24
This camera is the answer to my prayers. I'm a film student and poor. i needed a camera to replace the cheap one i was using but couldn't afford the 3000$ models i would've liked. After considerable research i got me one of these baby's and couldn't be happier with it. It has a huge lens for such a small camera and takes a beautifully clear picture-perhaps not the sharpest picture in the world but the color clarity is so amazing it really doesn't have to be razor sharp. There is zero color noise and I've filmed hours worth of footage on one charge. All in all if your a serious filmmaker and have a small budget this is a good option. It wont get you an oscar but it will most definitely get you started, and if you ever get a better one this camera could still perform just fine as a backup or secondary unit-it competes with the prosumer models
BROADCAST CAMERA ALMOST 
2007-10-04
I JUST RECEIVED THIS CAMERA TODAY.
AND I MUST SAY THIS 3CCD CAMERA GIVES A GREAT PICTURE.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE VIDEO PRODUCTION BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS,DOING WEDDINGS,
CABLE PRODUCTIONS.
WORKED WITH A LOT OF BROADCAST CAMERAS.WHICH ARE $10,000 cameras.
I OWN A KY27 JVC BROADCAST CAMERA WHICH PUTS OUT 750 LINES 65DB SIGNAL TO
NOISE RATIO.THIS CAMERA IS CLOSE.INDOOR SHOOTING IS NOT BAD A LITTLE ON THE
GRAINY SIDE BUT WITH A GOOD VIDEO LIGHT THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
ALL CONSUMER CAMERAS HAVE A LITTLE GRAIN.BUT WITH PROPER LIGHTING YOU CAN
OVER COME THIS.
I TOOK THIS CAMERA OUTSIDE.GREAT VIDEO,COLOR.
I DID NOT CARE FOR THE DIGITAL CAMERA PHOTOS ARE NOT THAT GREAT.I DID
NOT BUY THIS CAMERA FOR THAT ANYWAYS.
VERY NICE CAMERA YOU WONT BE SORRY. PAID $850.00
Awesome camcorder, I love it!! 2007-09-19
It does everything I expected and more. Very happy with the Mac compatability and ease of use. Great camcorder, highly recommend it!
Good video camera, great price/performance 2007-07-25
I have this camera for 8 months now. I like it. I had several $600-$800 video cameras, this IS the best! Here is my review:
Pros: Great vivid, color reproduction. Really good video quality in both full light and low light conditions. Easy to operate. Intuitive interface. Reliable. Great sound recording. Nice set of features. The included DV interface is a great plus for me. The battery life is reasonable.
Cons. Still pictures taking is only mediocre. The quality is not that good. Does not have a shoulder stripe, so it is not easy to carry it around.
Panasonic minidv camcorder 2008-04-05
Product is of high quality and the delivery was prompt. I am very pleased with this transaction
Nice Image, fair to poor manual focus 2008-01-28
I have this camera and have shot two down-and-dirty amateur documentaries with it. I have found the image to be excellent when compared to lesser "consumer" grade camcorders. My only real complaint with the camera is with the manual focus. It is extremely difficult to judge the manual focus using either the viewfinder or the viewing screen. While the auto-focus works very well, any shot that requires a custom close or far manual focus is VERY difficult to set up and requires an external monitor for complete confidence. For this reason, I still have to borrow a DVX100B when I do serious shoots.
Amazing Video 2008-01-27
This is an amazing camcorder that produces very close to Broadcast quality video. I would know, I work in the industry. After doing much research, I decided on the Panasonic PV GS500 Mini DV ($699). I could not justify spending another grand or two for an extra channel of audio, although the lack of a headphone jack is the only negative I have about this camcorder but there is a way to work around this problem, just GOOGLE and you will find many solutions in being able to monitor the audio via a set of headphones.You can still monitor the audio on the LCD screen, but I don't understand why Panasonic didn't add the headphone feature. Aside from that, this is a very powerful little camera. Shoots both in 16:9 and 4:3 ratio, which was a plus. I shot in 16:9 and the video (3ccd chip) was stunning! Great for viewing on a HD television set. Colors are vibrant and sharp. We used the PV GS 500 as a 2nd camera on a shoot in Nashville and with some color correction we were able to match it to our Broadcast quality camera which cost $40,000! Records audio perfectly clear. I bought a $25 lavalier mic from Radio Shack and recorded prestine clear audio. Also bought a mini jack to XLR audio cable ($9) so I could test Broadcast Quality Sony Electret Condenser Microphone ECM-55B, again perfect sound. Camera is sturdy & compact, does not feel cheap & light like some of the other camcorders. You breeze through the internal menues by scrolling via a joystick on the camera. This is an EXCELLENT camcorder for the price. Also included in the package are a Battery Pack, Remote Control, Magic Wire Remote Control, Lens Cap, Multi Cable, Shoulder strap, USB cable and CD-ROM . The Panasonic PV GS500 is great for those wanting to do weddings, documentaries and shorts.
Panasonic PV-GS500 camera 2008-01-27
I bought this camera because I have the earlier model. This one does not do everything that the PV-GS200 does, but it still a great camera. The reviews and evaluations on the camcorder web sites are right on. I will buy Panasonic again, in the future.
Refurbished PV-GS500 from Amazon's Warehouse 2007-12-27
I ordered the video camera as a refurbished item. When I received the camera, it looked brand new. I mean "never been used" brand new for real. I figured I'd give it a shot, since I had 30 days to return it, and also since it was from Amazon, and not a 3rd party reseller. The price was very good, $375 (free shipping, no tax).
The battery life is good. The picture quality is good, etc, etc.... The cinema mode is interesting. You will end up doing research in forums, whether or not you should shoot in cinema mode or not. You'll research making some kind of rig to steady the camera while shooting hand-held. You'll look for filters and fish-eye lenses. You'll find out that there are professional tapes vs the standard ones you find everywhere.
I will be using my camera to create short films, and documentaries. I don't know how this camera compares to everything else out there, but I know that I've done my research, and the bottom line is that everyone has their own budgets to consider.
That said, I plan on making the most of this camera, and I hold it with all seriousness and respect.
