Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

The PV-GS400, with its 3CCD Camera System, reproduces color in great fidelity by using a separate CCD for reds, greens and blues. It’s the same 3CCD technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, resulting in 540 lines of breathtaking resolution. You can count on Panasonic 3CCD Digital Camcorders to give you colors that are as rich and vibrant as your life.

CNET Reviews has a review on the Panasonic PV-GS400 and says: “Remember when you were in eighth grade? You probably felt like pretty hot stuff–until the next year, when you found yourself demoted to the status of a lowly freshman. Panasonic’s PV-GS400 MiniDV camcorder is in the same position: at the pinnacle of Panasonic’s consumer camcorder line, just below the professional line, which begins with the AG-DVC30.

What makes the Panasonic PV-GS400 such an advanced consumer camera are its three-chip capture system, 12X optical zoom with optical stabilizer, 3.5-inch LCD screen, and manual control over almost every function. But all these assets don’t quite add up to a professional camera. The 1/4.7-inch chips may be large for a consumer camcorder, but they’re tiny by pro standards, and there’s a fairly strict correlation between chip size and low-light performance. And while you can control all the functions of the PV-GS400 manually, you do it using a multipurpose ring rather than the discrete mechanical controls to which pros are accustomed.

With a street price near $1,000, the Panasonic PV-GS400 is one of the best consumer-camcorder deals available. Just don’t mistake it for a pro camera.”

CamcorderInfo has reviewed the Panasonic PV-GS400 and writes - “The PV-GS400 is a great camcorder and, in my opinion, offers the best value of any camcorder I’ve ever reviewed. Panasonic has taken last year’s PV-DV953, which delivered three CCDs and unprecedented manual control options for an unbelievable price, and found ways to significantly improve upon it. Now, after releasing three more consumer 3 CCD camcorders, Panasonic may be close to perfecting the art with the PV-GS400. Most significantly, the PV-GS400 upgrades the PV-DV953 with large 1/4.7-inch CCDs, which produce truly stunning video both in normal and low light. In addition to its excellent image, the PV-GS400 offers a great four-way hybrid ring for controlling focus, zoom, shutter and iris. When you throw in additional manual control, audio control, a great zoom controller and 4 megapixel stills, the PV-GS400 unquestionably offers better value than any other consumer camcorder on the market today at just under $1,500.”

eopinions has a review on the Panasonic PV-GS400 and writes - “I have been very impressed with the picture quality of this camcorder. Being new to miniDV I can’t comment relatively between this model and other models. However, the picture is sharp, well defined and very lifelike. Colours are vibrant but not oversaturated. The 3.5″ LCD monitor is extremely good. Build quality is totally up to scratch.

The manual modes are comprehensive but not easy to fathom because of the very poor manual. Accessories are comprehensive, although the PC software supplied is very basic. No mac software, but then you have software supplied with the operating system, don’t you? It will also work with Windows Movie Maker quite happily.

The still camera operates either whilst taking video or as a separate function. When taking video pictures are captured at 1 Megapixel, when in dedicated stills mode at 4 Megapixel max. The picture quality does not rival a dedicated 4 Megapixel stills camera, but pictures are sharp with artifacts only apparent at higher magnifications. Prints upto A4 are passable, although A5 is a better size.”

Full specs here

Panasonic, 3ccd, pv camcorder, camcorder, review, PV-GS400, PV, GS400, camcorders