OT: Panasonic PV-GS70 3-CCD camera

JohnnyRoy wrote on 3/14/2004, 6:58 AM
My Panasonic PV-DV601 is showing its age so I'm looking for a new camcorder. I’ve always owned Panasonic camcorders (for the past 15 years) and have been very happy with them and so I'm thinking of getting the new 3-CCD PV-GS200, which is the newer version of the PV-GS70 but so far have only been able to find reviews on the PV-GS70.

In every review of the PV-GS70 they complain about the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) not being good, and they complain about it not being good in low light. The problem is, I have no idea what they are comparing it to. Compared to a $2000 3-CCD camera with OIS and larger lenses, I would expect this but how does it compare to other camcorders with a street price of $600? In previous posts on this topic it has been compared to a GL2 but that’s not what I want to know. I want to compare it to other $600 camcorders. This is my hobby, not my job.

I think some of you have experience with this camera. Could you compare it to other consumer (non-pro) cameras you have owned? Is the EIS in the GS70 worse than the EIS I currently have in the DV601? (which I think is quite good because I’ve never used OIS) Likewise is the low light worse than the DV601 that I have? (which is fine for my use) I'm trying to figure out if this camera is a step up or step down from the PV-DV601. I know 3-CCD's are better than one but other than that, how do they compare? If anyone has any knowledge of this camera and could give some insight, I would be really appreciate it.

~jr

Comments

riredale wrote on 3/14/2004, 10:18 AM
I have no experience with Panasonic cameras, but suggest you go to a store that has that model as well as a similarly-priced Sony camera. Try out the image stabilization on both, and try to aim them both at a very dark part of the store to see the video noise level. That should give you a handle on how the two cameras compare.

I do know that the "optical" image stabilization on my two Sony cameras (TRV8 and VX2000) is excellent, and of course the VX2000 is the one to beat when it comes to low-light capability. On scenes where the TRV8 looks like a shot of sandpaper, the VX2000 shows a normal image.
JL wrote on 3/14/2004, 11:45 AM
I’ve used a GS70 alongside a GL2 since last summer. I shoot outdoors under natural light for the most part. My background in still photography has helped me a lot for this.

I find the GS70 can produce acceptable results, but within a bit narrower range of lighting and contrast conditions than the GL2. With good footage and the Vegas color tools I’ve been able to get a good match between scenes shot with the GS70 and GL2; and I’d say that most casual viewers probably would not be able to distinguish the GS70 cuts.

As I understand it, engaging the EIS will cause a small hit on the resolution whereas optical stabilization avoids this problem. You might consider using a tripod and turn off EIS to get the best results.

The comparison test as Riredale suggests is a good idea and one that I’ve used. I’ve taken a blank tape into two local camera stores where they let me shoot a test clip with each model of interest. I then took the tape home for evaluation on a NTSC monitor.

FWIW, I’ve been using the GS70 as a deck and D/A converter for external preview (via S-video) and so far it has worked flawlessly.

JL
johnmeyer wrote on 3/14/2004, 12:49 PM
The VX2000 and VX2100 are the ones to beat for low-light. See this thread for links to sites that do comparisons:

1 chip vs. 3 chips
JohnnyRoy wrote on 3/15/2004, 5:06 AM
I like the idea of taking a tape into a store. I never thought of that. This would allow me to go home and really review the results from several cameras on the tape. That’s what I think I’ll do. And thanks for the link to the comparison sites; I’ll check them out.

~jr
craftech wrote on 3/15/2004, 5:32 AM
See what size the CCD's are as well. They have been getting smaller and smaller over the years and it makes a big difference. I'll take a consumer Hi8 camera (with a standard 1/3 CCD) from 15 years ago over a newer consumer digital camera (with a standard 1/6 CCD) any day of the week.
A 3 CCD camera should have a set of at least 1/3 CCD's.

John
donp wrote on 3/15/2004, 6:38 AM
Is the Panisonic 953 1/3 or 1/6 CCD? I have see that camera used by the local PBS affiliate in some of their field, on location shots.
dvdude wrote on 3/15/2004, 9:17 AM
I believe the 953 is still using the 1/6 chips. I have the 951, I'm pretty sure they didn't change that for the 952 or 953. To the original poster, if you like Panasonic (as do I, 2 cameras in 5 years and 0 problems), you might want to check out the 953 as it does have optical stabilization.

corug7 wrote on 3/15/2004, 2:06 PM
I own a 953 and would recommend it to someone looking to upgrade from a 1-chipper. It does only have 1/6 inch ccds, but the color reproduction is decent. Your biggest issue is going to be using it in low light conditions. I love everything else about it, including its OPTICAL image stabilization, large clear viewscreen, and memory card capabilities. I would recommend spending the extra few hundred for the dv-953 over the gs-70. In fact, I got mine lightly used for the same price as a new gs-70, so look around.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 3/15/2004, 2:49 PM
Yea the 953 is a little more than I wanted to spend but it does look nice. I’m waiting for the GS200 to hit the stores and then see how it compares to what I have now. I’m concerned that they don’t have a 0 lux infrared like my DV601 does. I’ve use that quite a bit at night and its better than getting no footage at all.

~jr