Panasonic PV-GS65 Mini DV Camcorder

We have owned this unit for 3 days now, got it from a credit card promo. It's a relatively old model, having been released in 2005, yet the compact size and 3CCD alone amaze me. This is our first camcorder, but we've had prior experience with the Sony DCR-HC20, so shooting home videos isn't exactly new to us.

Okay, let me just say that it was quite a shock to find a 3CCD camcorder in this price range. Basically since it's the equivalent of three cameras, I would expect to find such a feature on higher-end, prosumer units. However, Panasonic was simply being true to form, introducing features on consumer equipment that other manufacturers would hesitate to put in their current models without raising the price.

THE GOOD :-)

- First of course, is the 3CCD setup, which gives more vibrant colors and sharper picture detail over cameras with only 1 color sensor. 3CCD is the same found on professional video equipment, such as those used for broadcast. However, since the GS65 is a consumer camcorder after all, the sensor size is at least half of those found on professional units (to illustrate, the Canon XL-1/XL-2 has 1/3" sensors, while the GS65 has 1/6" sensors). Still, having one dedicated chip to process each of the red, green and blue hues that make up a complete image, it translates to better picture quality. My test shots in room lighting yielded better results than those we initally took with the DC20.

- The number of ports is impressive for a camcorder of this size. There's a composite video output port and a USB 2.0 mini B port on the right side, an S-video port on the lower rear portion, and a 4-pin DV (Firewire) port on the left side, inside the LCD well, not to mention the SD card slot underneath the camcorder. The composite video port also doubles as an audio output for headphones, so you can readily monitor the sound level prior to pressing the Record button. Plus, there's a microphone input port, for when you would rather use an external sound pickup.

- Controls ae by way of buttons, jog dial and joystick; no fancy touch-screen gimmicks here, which is perfect for keeping the LCD screen scratch- and smudge-free.

- Top loading tape mechanism allows you to change MiniDV tapes without having to remove the unit from the tripod.

- SD compatibility means you can record video AND stills to the memory card simultaneously, without breaking the shot.

- Good amount of manual control. White balance, shutter speed and aperture settings can all be adjusted manually.

- The built-in microphone is capabable of zooming in on the subject in conjunction with the video lens, reducing the chances of you picking up unwanted audio such as ambient sounds (useful when you're filming your kid onstage at the school play).

- The small size means that it isn't a burden to carry around.

- The menu system isn't as complicated as it looks (at least for me, having been used to the interface on our Panasonic Lumix FX-07 digital camera); however, you may need several readings of the user manual, which looks a little cluttered. But you'll get the hang of it eventually.

- It uses the MiniDV format, which is comparatively cheaper than DVD-R and more widely available

THE BAD :-(

- Instead of an external video light, the GS65 has a night mode, in the strict sense of the word, dubbed MagicPix. How is this bad, you ask? MagicPix reduces the shutter speed to compensate for low-light conditions, and in the case of the GS-65, we're talking about 8 frames per second. This is not real-time recording, folks. It's good for taking stills in the dark, but shooting video? Forget it, unless you have lug around a powerful set of studio lights. Having used a Sony, I can say that their Nightshot is way better in that it allows for real-time video in low light, because it uses infrared rays to illuminate the subject, albeit at a considerable loss of color information. Actually, there are 2 MagicPix modes to choose from: 1 lux MagicPix, which slows down the shutter speed, and 0 lux MagicPix, which requires the user to flip the LCD screen around so it can be used as a video light. Nope, not even that makes up for the rather atrocious playback frame rate. Well, unless you do all your video shooting at night, this shouldn't be reason enough to forego the GS65.

- There is no manual focus ring around the lens barrel. Okay, granted that this is just a minor quibble for a non-professional user such as myself, but it would have been a nice-to-have feature. You can adjust the focus manually via the GS-65's thumb-operated joystick, but doing it at the lens is just much more intuitive.

- The electronic viewfinder (EVF) doesn't tilt up, which means that you'd have to keep the camera at eye level when you're using the viewfinder.

- Average zoom capability. 10x? Panasonic's newer PV-GS85 has a 32x optical zoom capability, but I suppose that's just to make up for its 1CCD configuration.

- The GS-65 only has electronic image stabilization (EIS) which supposedly isn't nearly as effective as optical image stabilization (OIS) in countering hand shakes while shooting. Our Lumix FX-07 comes equipped with Mega OIS, and I've seen the world of good that it does to stabilize subjects when shooting stills. But maybe I need to run more tests to be sure if EIS would be enough for video shooting (I have shaky hands, by the way). And anyway, I can always use a tripod.

- SD compatibility is only up to 1GB, whereas newer models can accommodate SDHC cards of up to 4GB. Oh well, you won't be using the GS65 that much for taking stills anyway. If you do, you're probably better off with a dedicated digital camera.

- SD slot is located on the same place as the tripod mount, which means you'll have to disengage the GS65 from the tripod in order to change cards for stills. But again, if you're going to be using it like a digital camera.....

- No Easy/Basic mode. This might translate to a relatively steeper learning curve for some beginners.

- While we're on the subject of shakes, the small size of the GS65 also works to its disadvantage, since it becomes more prone to hand jitters than a weightier and more substantial camcorder.

- Panasonic video lens. Okay, now this is purely subjective. Our FX-07 also comes with a 28mm. Leica lens, which is great for reducing glare and enhancing overall image quality. 3CCDs mated to a Leica would have been perfect, as seen on the PV-GS320, but hey, we're on a budget.

- No built-in lens cap. Just be sure that the external lens cap is fastened securely to the strap so it doesn't get lost.

- No Firewire cable in the package. Most consumer camcorders don't have this either, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Besides, we already have a Sony i.Link cable.

At least one review I've come across laments the fact that the Firewire port is located inside the LCD well, which means that, when the DV cable is connected, it blocks the view of the LCD screen as you transfer videos to your computer for editing. Such a simple problem only needs a simple solution: just tilt the screen upwards and voila! Problem solved! Jeez, some people can be such whiners sometimes.

Folks, I'd advise that you transfer videos to your computer using Firewire rather than USB. I've come across about a hundred inquiries from frustrated people who tried transfering using USB and failed. Using a DV cable saves you a world of pain because it's faster and more easily recognizable by your computer.

All in all, I'd say that the pros and cons of the GS65 make it a somewhat acceptable compromise for the price. If you're on the lookout for a budget camcorder, it wouldn't hurt to take a serious look at this model (if you can still find any of them online).