I have one and am satisfied with it. Never tried the still picture thing, which uses SD flash. I just bought Rode VideoMic (based on recommendations from these forums) so next outing I'll see if Audio is up to the video.

The optical stabalization seems to work ok. Sometimes the scene jerks when I pan, but than I shouldn't be doing that anyway. I bought a monopod to help stabalize things a bit.

Colors are outstanding compared to my Sony Digital8. I bought this one as a home video replacement camera, and decided I wanted to play with the manual controls and still have a good point&shot camera for on the go.

I also purchased a wide angle lens adapter, but haven't used it yet. Again based on recommendations in the forum by someone who knows better than me.

This is the camcorder I want to buy. However, there was a huge problem, at least initially, with many that were (are?) sold. On some, the tape transport makes a very loud "tick-tick" sound. These defective models have to be sent out immediately for repair, because the defect makes them unusable.
Search dvinfo.net for more info on this otherwise wonderful camcorder.

I'd be willing to risk it and buy one, but I don't have the spare cash right now.

Dan

I have been using a Sony VX2000 and am happy with everthing about it except the 16:9 mode. Unfortunately this is quite a big deal because 4:3 mode is a dying format.

I bought a Century Optics anamorphic adapter but really hate it. If you zoom all the way out the image distorts. You can't zoom in very much either. You can't really see the image in the viewfinder well enough to tell if you're in focus. I tried it out, but really can't stand it.

Because of this, I've been looking for a camera that does a proper 16:9 mode. The Sony PDX10, the FX1, the Z1, and the Panasonic GS400 seem to be my options.

I really don't need HD. Before I go HD, an number of things need to happen: a delivery format needs to be available and generally accepted, drives which write this format need to be available at a price where I can buy a bunch of them and put them in a duplicator, and blank discs in this format need to be available for under a dollar. HD for me at least is a few years out.

So I don't need HD, but I sure could use that extra 33% resolution of a native 16:9 camera. The GS400 looks like it might be a good choice. I could use the still photography features a lot more than the HD modes of the FX1/Z1. How is the low light performance of a GS400 compared to that of an FX1 or Z1? I realize that neither one would be as good as my VX2000.

While HDV is my goal for my next camera to own, I would jump all over a VX2000/VX2100. Definitely awesome cams, just wish they'd come down in price a bit.

Laurence,

E-mail me if you think you might be selling your anamorphic adapter....

I have the gs400 and love it. I upgraded from the canon opturaPI. I went with it mainly for the manual control over pretty much everything as well as the 3 ccds and the true 16:9 using more of the pixels. Filmed my nephew's wedding with it and will be filming my neice's wedding with it in a couple of weeks. Colors look good and crisp, low light could be better. I have to remember to take off the lens cap before turning it on because the first thing it does is set the auto-white balance. When doing the wedding, I did a manual white balance anyway so it didn't matter. Didn't want an off-white dress you know. I don't have the audio problem that some have reported and the optical stabilization (even though it is listed as electronic) works great. Just wish they had sold the black one here in the states like they have in Japan.

I'm happy with the purchase and would buy another one.

I have a DV953, GS120 and GS400. They are all great cams but the GS400 is pretty close to the optimum high end consumer cam. It does not have the low light capability of the VX2000/2100/GL2/DVC30 but it does do great widescreen. Check out Pana3CCDUser.com for lots more information on these camcorders.

How about the AG-DVC30? I'm very interested in that camera if I can squeeze it into the budget. Anyone have any hands on experience with it?