| Panasonic PV-GS320 3.1MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | 
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| Buy New: $699.44
Buy New/Used from $450.00
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 58 reviews)
Sales Rank: 776
Category: Photography
Publisher: Panasonic
Studio: Panasonic
Brand: Panasonic
Label: Panasonic
Media: Electronics
Autographed: 0
Memorabilia: 0
Batteries Included: 0
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 30
Minimum Focal Length: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.5
Dimensions (in): 12 x 14 x 10
MPN: PV-GS320P-S
Model: GS320
UPC: 037988980277
EAN: 0037988980277
ASIN: B000M4LXIW
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 3CCD imager for vivid color, fine detail, and rich gradation | | • | Leica Dicomar lens; Advanced Pure Color Engine | | • | 3.1-megapixel still-picture recording | | • | One-Touch Navigation for easy, intuitive setting and shooting | | • | Tele-Macro for sharp focusing, from a short distance |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Imagine taking video shots on a moving boat and then viewing them on a large-screen TV. They're likely to appear blurry from the boat's movement and from your unsteady hands. Panasonic solves this problem with O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which minimizes hand-shake in situations where it is most often a problem, such as with zoom shots - or on a moving boat. The system is optical, so there is no quality loss, and images look clear and beautiful on a big-screen TV.Enjoy vivid color, crisp detail, and subtle gradation with 3CCD, the system used by most professional broadcast cameras. In a 1CCD system, all incoming light information is processed by the same CCD. The more advanced 3CCD system uses three distinct CCDs for processing, so there is absolutely no light loss. The result: beautifully rendered, natural-looking images every time.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 53 more reviews...
 not so easy with older MAC January 8, 2009
I can plug directly into my EMAC and get the still pictures. BUT getting the video into my Mac hasn't been easy at all. My machine is a little older and i'm using OS 10.3.9. Therefore i have to use a converter box to get my video out.
I'll also repeat what the other reviewers say about this not being good for low light situations. I've just purchased a light and battery for the camera which costs an additional $180.
However, the color of video shot outdoors is really attractive and i love that the camera is light and easy to carry around.
Great miniDV camcorder December 21, 2008
I researched a very long time before making my decision to purchase this camcorder. I have no regrets. The image quality is so real you "almost" feel like you're there in the scene as a spectator.
The only caveat (minor) is the IS isn't as good as it should be. This is the only reason it's not a 5* review.
Great Camcorder w/ Fantastic Image Quality - Recommended October 19, 2008
Great Camcorder w/ Fantastic Image Quality - Recommended
The "Panasonic GS320" has proven to be a really solid camcorder for use in our small business (used for making instructional videos). We were looking for a second camera that could come close to the image quality of our primary high-end Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom. The GS320 exceeded our expectations in our studio, with the following observations:
Pros -
Outstanding image quality from the 3-CCD sensors
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) works very well
Accurate auto White Balancing
Conveniently placed controls
Great battery life
Cons -
"Cold" Accessory Shoe
No built in light
No external microphone input jack
We have also started using this camera for our family events and have been very pleased with the results in "uncontrolled" environments outside our studio as well.
Highly recommended!
Does work with *Vista* October 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
[...]
There are Vista versions of the packages software there. Also the included USB cable is all you need (so its actually better than using XP). I have tested this and the MotionDV software does allow you to send video to the Vista machine and save it.
I have only had the PV-GS320 for a few days but I happy with the purchase. It is one of the last of the affordable high quality camcorders available and bridges the gap between HD and normal MiniDV. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is the low-light quality. This is probably normal for most camcorders though and it does have a horseshoe mount to add a light which is a must. You will probably want a second battery too.
If you want good picture quality for a reasonable price September 25, 2008
Choose this camera if you want quite good picture quality but don't care about extra features.
(I've owned this camera for six months and use it fairly regularly.)
The Leica lens and the 3 CCD's are normally in much more expensive cameras (often called "prosumer")
The picture quality really does look great -- the video picture is sharp and the colors wonderful (not so much on the still pictures, though). I am totally happy with the quality and, for me, that's the main thing.
It DOES have a few "extras" that I use:
1) The still camera. While not a good quality as my dedicated digital camera, it is adequate. It solves the problem of having to carry two cameras.
You can also take "web quality" frame grabs from footage as you review the tape. This is pretty useful if you are posting trip photos to a blog.
The photos conveniently go onto a card which can easily be removed and put in a card reader.
2) A/V out
You can hook this up to your TV and it works nicely. This is one of the few feature for which you don't have to remove the battery.
3) "Quick Movie Magic" software
This is very basic software to get the footage onto your hard drive. It works nicely and allows you to fairly easily divide the scenes up and the like. I then use the clips in the editor of my choice.
4) Manual focus
5) Back light
6) Find end of tape, search
(All these items are easy to find and turn off/on)
Honestly, that's about all the extra features that I use.
FEATURES MISSING:
I don't care about bells and whistles and I like basic "do the job" equipment.
However, I miss:
1) Plug for an external mic.
2) Plug for headphones
3) A proper shoulder strap
4) White balance
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