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Panasonic PV-GS320 mini-DV Camcorder

This camcorder from Panasonic is unique as well in a sense that this is the only 3-CCD camcorder that was released by the camera manufacturer in the MiniDV format.

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Panasonic opened the year 2007 with the introduction of the then top-of-the-line Panasonic pv-gs320 camcorder. This is tops for Panasonic when it comes to its MiniDV line and this camcorder used three charge-coupled device sensors in order to capture the video. This camcorder from Panasonic is unique as well in a sense that this is the only 3-CCD camcorder that was released by the camera manufacturer in the MiniDV format. This camcorder is simply an updated version of the old pv-gs300 of 2006.

Panasonic made some tweaks and upgrades on the pv-gs320, removed some features and more importantly lowered the price. What enthusiasts and users will miss in this updated version of the pv-gs300 are the external microphones and the headphones jack. Panasonic PV-GS320 Camcorder Reviews The absence of these two features will surely pour cold water on serious video jockeys. But the absence of these two will be compensated by the addition of an accessory shoe for the self-powered lights and other accessories. The menus on the camcorder are easy to navigate with the use of the controls.

But there is a drawback here since these controls take up almost the whole 2.7 inch LCD monitor. This camcorder offers you two options on how to record videos; videos can be recorded in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios at frame size of 720 x 480 pixels. Great storage capacity for still photos is possible with this camcorder thanks to the camcorder’s SDHC card slot. This camcorder is best known for its color accuracy and its 3.1 megapixel is more than enough to deliver better results.

The Panasonic PV-GS320 is one of the few remaining camcorders still available using MiniDv tapes. It is, however in my opinion, still a top contender for those that are looking for a high quality picture at an affordable price. HD and HDD may be the latest thing, but this baby can still produce a great looking video at a fraction of the price.

The picture quality and the price is what really sold this camcorder to me. It is crisp and clear with little blur or noise. It is still really great even in low light. It is so hard to find any camcorder that works well with low light that I was pleasantly surprised to see how great the quality was during a family camping trip as we sat around the campfire. The video still looked great.
It's really geared towards an advanced amateur I would say. There are few manual settings that compare to the more expensive camcorders. The manual focus is a pain as it is just out of reach. The auto focus works really well, although it is not as smooth as I would like. It does take a fraction of a second to adjust. It does get worse in lower lighting. But, as long as you are aware of this, then it shouldn’t be a big issue.
The design is fine with the LCD screen being a nice big size and easy to see what you're shooting. There are 2 menus that are both easy to read. The eyepiece is very comfortable but I don't really use it much and the strap is comfortable as well. So, no matter how you like to take video, you are pretty much covered. Aside from the manual focus issue, the controls are all quite easy. Most of the features are accessible through the menu and you use the joystick to maneuver through the options.

The miniDV technology is a bit old school now, but don't dismiss it. I definitely think that if you are looking for a high quality camcorder that produces a great video at a decent price, then the Panasonic PV-GS320 should be a serious contender.

Jake Miller. Garden City. USA.