Panasonic PV-GS14 MiniDV Camcorder w/22x Optical Zoom
Posted by earnestine22 in Panasonic
Panasonic PV-GS14 MiniDV Camcorder w/22x Optical Zoom Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic’s PV-GS14 camcorder is an affordable and powerful entry into digital video. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 22x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, SD memory card slot for digital stills, webcam capability, and color viewfinder.
Optics
The PV-GS14 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 22x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.
Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS14 can also capture digital still images up to 640 x 480 pixels–good for sending photos to friends and family over e-mail or posting to your Web site. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback.
More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder’s body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.
The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS14 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with–even if they were manually entered.
The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend.
Other features include:
- The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.
- Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
- The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
- Color viewfinder
Inputs and Outputs
The PV-GS14 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines.
MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that’s 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours–20 times the capacity of a CD.
Customer Review: Great Camera For The Price
I had 2 big vacations planned for 2004 and was looking for an affordable entry in the digital camcorder market that would produce decent results. This Panasonic more than filled the bill. Video quality was outstanding and using Pinnacle Studio I was able to easily edit raw material in to some entertaining footage backed by music and other effects. The output really exceeded my expectactions as a relative newcomer to the “movie world”.
Pros: Great price, excellent video and sound quality, easy to transfer movies to PC, very compact size, plenty of features, battery life actually slightly better than advertised.
Cons: Video seems to be “jumpy” when using the light (this may be user error as I have not researched), no cables or useful editing software included with camera.
Customer Review: Misleading features
I bought this camera at BestBuy and after using it for one week returned it for a Sony DCR HC20 and ate the $60 restocking fee.
What I liked about the Panasonic was the seperate charger, and the fact that the battery lasted pretty long.
What I did not like was the following:
1.EIS -electronic image stabilization- which was in my instance not usable. I recorded in a low lit family room with the EIS and the image quality was not acceptable. Well looking in the manual, it does mention that you have to deselect it in low light situations
2. Magic pix - well I guess if you want to have fun with making odd pictures then this function is for you, but I just want to film my family + pet like they are then it is not.
The picture comes out lit totally goofy, I filmed my wife and she was all bluish, greenish.
3. External light
Well this is why I got upset. Once you turn the light on the image was so grainy that I had to just laugh.
So after turning those features off it was ok, but I paid for them. So after much thinking I swallowed my pride and paid $60 restocking fee and got the Sony.
Well the low light feature in my family room works great and the picture is great.
Tags: Cheap Panasonic Minidv Camcorders, Cheap DVD Camcorders, Cheap Camcorders
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