Panasonic Pro AG DVC20 3CCD MiniDV Proline Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Editorial Review
The Panasonic AG-DVC20 is a 1/6-inch 3CCD camcorder in the DV Proline family of Panasonic cameras. It features a shoulder-mounted design that results in a solid performing professional-style camcorder, perfect for any event. The camera comes with image stabilization, composite and S-Video inputs along with FireWire for easy connection to non-linear editing systems. The Color Night View mode allows night shooting with little or no available light. Colors will appear vibrant even if shooting in complete darkness. The 10x optical zoom lens is up to the task of industrial video acquisition. The camera has a large, smooth operating, touch sensitive rocker switch conveniently located on the handgrip. The attached 2.5-inch color LCD monitor gives you the option to leave it home. It is positionable to almost any angle including self-portrait position. Minimum Illumination 1 lux (Color Night View Mode) Signal System - NTSC 60i Audio Signal Format - 2 Channel 16 bit / 48kHz, 4 Channel 12 bit / 32kHz Audio Frequency Response - 20Hz to 20kHz Input and Output Connectors - 1 FireWire- 4-Pin input and output, 1 Composite Video- RCA input and output, 1 S-Video- 4-Pin input and output, 1 Microphone Audio- Mini Stereo input, 1 Headphones- Mini Stereo input Power Requirements - 7.2 VDC with Battery, 7.9 VDC with AC Adapter Power Consumption - 3.2W with Viewfinder, 3.4W with LCD, 6.3W max Dimensions - Width 8.56 x Height 8.88 x Depth 17.1 inches (21.74 x 22.5 x 43.4 cm) Weight - 4.5 pounds, 2.0 kg
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Customer Reviews

For the True Prosumer in Training

2007-02-15
Okay, first and foremost, this seems to be the camera everyone forgot, including Panasonic. Go to their website and venture to the comparison page, and it's like no one bothered to fill out the spec sheet. For weight, dimensions and pick-up device it has "N/A."

If you go online and search for reviews of this camera there is no shortage of criticism from the pro set, faulting it for not having this feature or that, but once you do the research the cameras that have those features cost about a grand to two grand more!

Ironically, this undeserved disdain and neglect seems to have resulted in a real deal, both affordable and versatile. It has less features than some professional cameras and more than most consumer cameras. It works great with iMovie on my MacBook Apple MacBook MA701LL/A 13.3" Notebook PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive) - Black and has been a great way for me to familiarize myself with shooting in general. All you need is a firewire cord like this one and you're good to go.Belkin F3N401-06-ICE IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin 400 Mbps FireWire Cable (6 Feet)

It is not HD, but neither are 99.9% of the places it will be played.

Maybe as I learn more I'll become more aware of its limitations and my opinion will change and, yes, the lens is smaller than I'd like, but the 3CCD makes a huge difference in the colors and contrast.

One thing to bear in mind, this is a great piece of equipment for someone who works with professional directors and videographers, but in no way a replacement for such skilled and outstanding professionals. Basically, if you're a director or videographer you'll want a far more serious piece of equipment, but if you're a writer or art director who just wants a firmer grasp of the shooting process this is the camera for you!

All in all, it's a great to learn on and great for the price. Not a bad combination at all.

Here's the kit I've put together to go with it:
Case - Panasonic Pro Soft Carrying Case for DV60 & DVC7 Camcorders

Wide Angle Lens - Panasonic Pro AG-LW4307 Wide Angle Lens Adaptor 7x for AG-DVC7/30/60 Camcorders

Tripod - Sunpak UltraPro 757 Full-Size Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Plate (Satin Silver)

Tripod Case - Sunpak 620-770-AZ Unpadded Tripod Carrying Case

Microphone System - Azden WMS-PRO Wireless Microphone System

Camcorder Light - Sima SL-10LX Universal LED Camcorder Light

Studio Light -Photography Studio Continuous Umbrella Light Kit with Free 26w 5500k Fluorescent Photo Light Bulb

RC FORMULA 1 RACING /RECORDED WITH AG-DVC 20

2008-03-31
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3M7E23MHDZC54 My name is Sandor ....or DJ SANDOORS .This is a video of RC Formula 1 racing in Savannah, GA. I have other videos on You Tube, look for DJ Sandoors movies. I've had this camera for six months and bought on Amazon. For a lightweight camera of plastic material, it can be a good buddy for me. It's good for action footage and I could call this a semi-professional level. I'm an independent camera man with short films of nature, music, sports and portraits. It might make a high level movie maker angry, but for the price, it's working well.

Excellent prosumer choice

2008-01-29
I had three must-haves for a video camera:

- three ccds
- record to miniDV
- audio-out port

Most of the cameras with these three features are up in the $3000 range, essentially going for the low-end professional market. All the cameras currently selling for around $600-$700 skimp on some aspect of performance. If all you care about is making home movies to keep and share memories of kids' birthday parties, by all means, go for a HDD camera, or just hope that your sound will turn out okay. But if you want to put together footage that has real production value, shell out the extra few hundred for this model. It will really show in the finished product.

A real dog

2008-01-16
Avoid this camera. Had it a month, and gave it away. Buy the DVC60 if you can even find one still around

Panasonic just never quite gets it

2007-12-07
I had previously owned 6 Panasonic cameras in this class for my wedding studio. We loved them. I purchased this camera last year and pretty much hate it. The menus are hard to use - the flipout LCD is a joke.
Footage was much better with the Panasonic Ag-DVC15. Panasonic went backwards with this model

Great Camera!

2007-06-26
I love this camera- it has a total pro look, great picture and awesome sound. I purchased an external mic and still haven't had to use it, the built in mic is that good. It looks heavy but it's very light and comfortable to use, I was surprised as to how light it was, it must be mostly hollow- either way, it's a good weight for me for me, because I'm very petite, which makes it all the more impressive!lol! I'm using FCP2 and everything is coming out beautifully! So far, I am very happy & pleased with this purchased.

Cameras & Photography Products and Books

	Click!. The No Nonsense Guide to Digital Cameras Review: ... "Click! The No Nonsense Guide to Digital Cameras" is misnamed. It covers a lot more than just cameras. In a couple of hundred pages, it includes using a scanner and Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 to rescue faded, damaged family photos, the basic guidelines to good picture taking, how to use Elements 2 to improve your digital photos, and how to print and preserve your pictures for the ages. White, the author of the bestseller "How Computers Work," knows how to pack a lot of helpful, understandable information in a brief no nonsense book.
	Sony Cybershot DSCS90 4.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Review: "This Camera is one of the best in its price range. It takes beautiful clear pictures and can be used right out of the box, but its worth learning all its features. The included memory holds about 20-25 pictures so I upgraded to 128mb. I reccomend getting a 128mb card and the Sony camera case. Not only is this one of the best cameras in its class it includes decent software and rechargeable batteries that are at least a 20$ value. HIGHLY reccomend over canon,kodak, and fuji. One more thing this camera has CARL Zeiss lens (if you dont know, great lens) all the competetors have generic lens."
	Sony Cybershot DSCF88 5MP Digital Camera with 3x optical Zoom Editorial Review: Kick back with your favorite DVDs anywhere! Sleek, portable player features IR wireless remote. Plays DVDs, CDs, MP3s and Kodak Picture CDs. Includes 12V power source adapter and Li-Ion Battery Pack. Model D1710. 90-day limited warranty.

PC Magazine Guide to Digital Photography

Editorial Reviews from Book News, Inc.
A couple of digital photography experts weigh the advantages and disadvantages of film vs. digital photography, and explain the basics underlying both types of photography. The Grottas provide reality checks on such issues as whether the number of megapixels really matter, and tips on camera selection, use, and e-mailing and organizing photos. The handbook includes color and b&w images, a glossary, and sidebars and Web links for further technical details.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland.

From the Back Cover The megapixel hype
The fact is a camera’s megapixel rating is only a measure of how many pixels (photosensitive sites) an image sensor has…. An image sensor is simply one component of an entire system that produces a digital photograph… So resist buying into the megapixel hype when you’re choosing a digital camera. From Chapter 1

Digital Cameras	Binoculars	Canon	Sony
Photo Printers	Telescopes	Kodak	Nikon