Comments

vincej wrote on 11/1/2007, 2:15 PM
Last Year I bought the "bigger brother" to the Panasonic GS300 > GS500 and edited very happily with VMS.

Since then they have stopped making the 500 and instead have introduced the 320 which is really based on the 300.

If you can still shop around you might still find a 500 on the shelves somewhere - it has been regularly rated as the best standard def camera around under $700.

The 320 has many of the core features ie 3x CCD, Leica lens and will give you outstanding standard def pictures. Unfortuneatley it has been scaled back in terms of features over the 500.

I think that many of the manufacturers are scaling back their standard def manufacturiung and wanting us all the buy high def. hence the loss of the 500 to the market.

Bottom line you will get great pictures and will be happy so long as you don't need the missing features.


Retired wrote on 11/2/2007, 8:19 AM
Thanks for the suggestion. The 500 is still available but it cost around $700. A little over my buget. It seems like any of the miniDv formats left are all scaled back and the choices are limited. Do you know if the 320 captures at the full 720 x 480 resolution when using the firewire? One of the web sites that rate camcorders hates the 320 but user rateing are great. I can't figure this out. I would like to wait for the 2008 models but what if know one produces a miniDV camera? Its a tough one. Thanks again

Retired
vincej wrote on 11/2/2007, 9:32 AM
My 500 captures at the full 720x480.

I'm in Canada and the cost difference is about 75$ .. well worth it in my opinion.

Reviewers: Generally they love the Panasonic range - their issue is that there is history which goes back about 3 years when Panasonic had another camera called the 250 and the upscale 400.

Since those days Panasonic has been steadily scalling back thieir stand def camera ranges ... reducing features while still keeping the price up - this has annoyed reviewers emensley ( with some justification). This is marketing: it's all about moving buyers off stnd def adn towards Hi Def ( I think ).

Personally I was advised not to buy a high def camera for another couple of years when the technology has settled down ie Blu-ray over HDDV and the editors can handle it very nicely and blu-ray burners cost $200 and Cameras are under $1000!

MSmart wrote on 11/2/2007, 11:40 PM
Reviewers: Generally they love the Panasonic range - their issue is that there is history which goes back about 3 years when Panasonic had another camera called the 250 and the upscale 400.

I missed out on the 400, started my look for an upgrade just a little too late. I was considering the 500 when someone turned me on the clearance sale Best Buy was having on the 250s a year and a half ago. I ended up with 2 250s for a little more than 1 500. Score!! I've been very happy with them.

Anyway, for more info on Panny cams, check out Panna3CCDUser.com
HaroldC wrote on 11/4/2007, 11:21 AM
I have the Panasonic PV-GS320. I'm fairly pleased with it. But one of the big differences between it and the 500 is that the 320 does not have the capacity to use an external microphone. Which can come in very useful.
MAMF wrote on 11/4/2007, 3:42 PM
I'm currently considering a used GS500 on eBay. I can't find a current model to compare it too...I want mini DV, manual focus ring, 3 CCD at 1/4.7" or better and a mic jack.

The 320 has 3 1/6" CCD's, while the 500 has 3 1/4.7". With no mic jack and no manual focus ring, it doesn't even compare to the 500.

Isn't there another offering in the same price range as the 500, but newer? It seems strange that shopping around for a camcorder, the best option I can find is last year's model.

Any advice?
vincej wrote on 11/5/2007, 2:46 PM
Hi Mamf - good question but as I already pointed out the market in standard def in contracting - therefore in Panasonic's case last year's model is better than this years model - for sure.

There are many reason's why the 500 is better than the 320. Manual focus ring, external mic, 4mb still pictures, heavier construction, bigger chips, 30 fps progressive filming as an option, true 16:9 capacity.
Retired wrote on 11/9/2007, 3:14 AM
I just purchased the PV-GS320. I noticed it has a slight vibration and hum to it when it is truned on. Is this normal? Only owners of this camcorder would know for sure. Do I need to return the camcorder for another because of this. Also, I notice that my first movie was grainy. Seemed to have more noise in the picture than I'm use to. The colors were great but the movie had s noticeable grainy look. Thanks

Retired