Panasonic PV-L759 VHS-C Analog Camcorder

I just purchased the Panasonic PV-L750. This is the 2000 model VHS-C camcorder. It is 2nd from the top in Panasonic's camcorder line (first being the PV-L850). My last purchase was the PV-L758 (1998 model, which was recently rendered unusable after a rainstorm).

Overall picture quality is exceptionally good for VHS. I shoot with a digital video camera at work, and under the best conditions the PV-L750 looks comparable. As can be expected, when conditions are not perfect (available light, extreme backlight, strong colors, etc., the picture degrades significantly compared to digital). Ease of use is unparalleled. If you are not technical and just want to "point and shoot" this is the camera for you. Attach the battery and you will be shooting in seconds. Really! The manual is only needed for information about specific applications (like the still camera feature), and because it is VHS-C, you can be showing your first videotapes to your friends anytime, anywhere - no need to hook up wires!

I purchased 750 without ever looking at one in real life. I assumed it was basically the same as my previous camera, but alas, there are differences. I really liked the 758 and on the 750 (and I assume the 759 - the 1999 model) they have done what all good manufacturers do: traded the features I liked most on the 758 for features I will never use. First off, my 758 had a color EVF, the 759 and 750 have a B&W viewfinder. Granted, Panasonic adds a 4" color LCD panel (HUGE for camcorders), but I really like both, as I don't use the LCD as much as most folks. I guess my complaint here is somewhat unfounded, as a B&W viewfinder seems to be standard on all models with an LCD panel, but the feature was nice on the 758 (I guess I was spoiled).

Next, they have taken some of the features that were previously accessible by buttons on the outside of the camera and made them accessible only through on screen menus. Nice, but not as useful when shooting as pressing a button. These include the security feature, negative image, and the special effects fading. Panasonic also has deleted the "message" feature - fine by me, as few people would ever use it anyway.

Well, to make up for all this, they have given the camcorder double duty as a digital still camera. This can be very useful for sending photos to relatives and friends over the net, but realize that the best resolution is 640x480 (if you don't know what that means - the pictures will look fine to you). The photo software is very basic and hence easy to use, it offers a minimum ability to adjust the image (color, brightness etc.) and is quick and easy to set up. I e-mailed my first picture within five minutes of inserting the setup disk into the computer.

Also, the non digital zoom is impressive - one of the best I've seen, but stay away from the 300x digital range. First you can't hold the camera steady and secondly, the picture is awful. I've found the digital zoom useful up to about 50x magnification before significant degradation occurs.

I hope all of this helps and wasn't too negative. I love Panasonic products and this one is one of the best, but I did want to let others know some of the things I saw as drawbacks. Feel free to respond if you like, I'd be interested to hear your views.